I'm enjoying this fame - Televizier

Translation:

Olivia Newton-John, the female lead from the film Grease, is enjoying considerable interest from Dutch broadcasters this week. AVRO is reprising her American television show on Saturday afternoon, and TROS is doing it again that evening with footage of Olivia's performance at Amsterdam's Jaap Edenhal. Finally, the blonde English-Australian singer will receive two awards on Sunday afternoon on the Veronica program "Countdown." Reason enough for TeleVizier to follow the star, with her Doris Day-esque smile and stormy hair, from a respectful distance during her visit to the Netherlands.

I don't comment about my private life. That's nobody's business. Friday night, one o'clock. Olivia Newton—John, Livvy to her inner circle, is giving a rather uninspiring press conference at Amsterdam's Sonesta Hotel.

The journalists and photographers had a long wait for her. And you can tell by the mood. Yes, of course I'll give honest answers. What were you thinking?.

She had returned to her temporary accommodation under police escort. The concert in the Jaap Edenhal had overrun. Or rather: started later, because during rehearsals that afternoon it had become clear that the already immense stage was one meter too short. And that can be fatal must have thought, Olivia's friend and manager, Lee Kramer.

Big stars simply need space. So the audience had to wait for an hour. Outside, rows deep, in the rain and under the watchful eye of mounted police. A ticket cost twenty-five guilders. A considerable drain on the pocket money of the predominantly very young fans, who already consider Grease such an expensive hobby.

Nevertheless, almost all four thousand seats were sold out. That the performance of the pink-clad, glitter-adorned Olivia (described by critics the next day as a piece of fondant turned into flesh, a life-size Barbie doll, and tut hola) was a major musical disappointment was of little consequence.

The youngsters had briefly lingered in the immediate vicinity of Het Idool and had been able to sing along to her You're the one that I want and Hopelessly devoted to you. And that, after all, was what mattered.

The arrival of thirty-year-old Olivia and her twenty-five-person entourage was linked to the new LP, Totally Hot, on which the blonde singer presents her own country-inflected repertoire.

The genre that has made her a big name in America and Australia, as evidenced by the Grammys, platinum records, and other awards she collects like stamps.

In Western Europe, her popularity never really took off. Sure, she represented England at the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, but… It wasn't, because Sweden had thrown ABBA into the mix.

A promotional tour was therefore desirable. Therefore, Olivia had to visit cities like Hamburg, Stockholm, Paris, and London in a week's time, in addition to Amsterdam.

This required a crazy schedule in which precious minutes had to be divided between the (private) plane, hotels, studios, press conferences, and concert halls.

Everything threatened to go haywire when Olivia suddenly felt unwell in West Germany. A hefty dose of penicillin was supposed to get her back on her feet. The show must go on, especially as long as there are still ripe fruits to be reaped from the all-consuming, but not eternal, Grease craze.

And so it happened that an outwardly cheerful Olivia walked into the press room at Schiphol Airport that afternoon with a broad smile, aware of the numerous photographers waiting for her.

Due to a delayed flight, she had arrived almost an hour late. That meant quickly posing, and in between accepting flowers, awards, and two kisses from Krijn Torringa, with Hasty signature signings and a limousine ride to the hotel for a radio interview, followed by a time of rest, door locked.

A representative of the record company that releases Grease products in the Netherlands, but doesn't have Olivia herself under contract, would have liked to present a platinum record. He didn't get the chance.

No promotion for the competition. With the remark, Then we'll just raffle it off, the precious gem disappeared back into the plastic bag...

The press conference is halfway through as a sign Olivia remarks: I'm enjoying this rush, but my heart won't break when it's all over again.

Later, she confesses to having dreamed of a successful career, but she hadn't expected it to turn out this way. Yes, she's very happy, but also a little tired.

Someone wants to know what she thinks of John Travolta. He's great. I was quite nervous. Not because of John. He wasn't a big star at the time, because Saturday Night Fever hadn't even come out yet.

No, I was nervous because acting was new to me. I'd been in an English film before. About eight years ago. It was called Tomorrow. A disaster. Three boys and me. A kind of new Monkees being shot into space. Can you imagine how bad that was?

I'd seen the musical Grease years ago in London. When producer Alan Carr asked me at a party if I'd like to appear in the film version and I'd read the script, I was immediately impressed. I don't know why he chose me. I think John had seen a television special of mine. He helped me quite a bit. A sensitive guy. He doesn't look anything like the roles he plays. Which proves he's a good actor.

Just to be sure, she reiterates that she was already a star in America, Japan, and Australia long before Grease. I thought I was at the top. Grease has added a new dimension.

Suddenly, I have a name in Europe too. When I was fifteen, I performed on Australian television, won a talent show, and went back to England to start my career. I mean, success didn't just happen overnight. It really took years.

A discussion arises about a failed relationship with a producer. A private matter, Olivia thinks, and therefore doesn't elaborate.

Emancipation then? I'm for equal pay for equal work. That's fair. But I've never had to fight for my rights. My opinion isn't that of the average woman.

It's 1:30. Olivia leaves. Photographers were waiting in the hallway outside her Royal Suite.

She skips the appointment with Television for some exclusive photos. Sorry, too tired.

There is time for a quick interview with TopPop, although she's delayed again.

The next morning at nine o'clock she has to go to Paris for television recordings.

Grease has made a lot of people happy. Me too, Olivia had told the journalists. The giggle that was supposed to underscore that this statement was understated.

Photo caption: Olivia Newton-John welcomes her Eurovision Song Contest competitor in Brighton, the group ABBA and Andy Gibb, on her American show (which AVRO will repeat on Saturday afternoon).

by Bert Jalink, Photos: Robbert Roos