Physical - Joepie

Translation from Dutch:

It was Xanadu when we last saw Olivia Newton-John on the screen or in the charts.

Every now and then a picture of her would land on our editorial table, as she attended a premiere or party on the arm of a friend, or was being awarded gold and a star on Hollywood Boulevard for past successes.

But that was all. Until she recently suddenly resurfaced with a fantastic LP, a much-discussed single Physical with its ambiguous lyrics, a new haircut, and a completely different outfit.

Olivia Newton-John has apparently put her personal and professional life in order. During her lightning visit to the Netherlands, she was willing to provide some additional explanation.

Old Wounds Reopened

The changes came about more out of necessity, Olivia admits somewhat hesitantly. Today I'm happy about it, but for a long time I wondered if I wasn't digging my own grave!

Olivia's difficulties began during the Grease era, when she ended her long-standing relationship with her boyfriend and manager, Lee Kramer.

Our business relationship was contractually set until January 1, 1981. I was okay with that, because Lee had never let me down as a manager, and I was sure we would both be strong and sensible enough to continue working together, despite that personal rift, Olivia explains.

However, it turned out to be more difficult than expected. At every business meeting, our personal problems resurfaced, and old wounds were reopened. It only became truly painful when I started going out with Matt Lattanzi.

Lee couldn’t handle the fact that I could care about someone else. He claimed that this flirtation would damage my career and made it extra difficult for me to lead a normal private life. The only thing I could do about it was count down the days until my contract with him ended

An Unpopular Measure

This painful situation largely explains why it became so quiet around Olivia after Xanadu. She consciously withdrew from the spotlight to avoid further conflict with Lee.

That was a good thing, because the tabloid press, always on the lookout for a good story, turned every new acquaintance of mine into a potential marriage partner and Lee felt betrayed every time. The beautiful years we had spent together had become a pipe dream for him. He simply could not understand that my love for him was over for good. I think it is a great shame that our collaboration had to end in this way! sighs Olivia.

So there would be a new manager. And also a new secretary. A good reason to hire the girl, recommended by Lee at the time. She didn't have the option of kicking her out, but the thought that everything that happened in her house would be relayed to her ex-boyfriend made Olivia shudder.

That's why I took the plunge. The only way to finally break with Lee was to kick our mutual employees out. An unpopular measure, I realize, but I had no other choice.

During her visit to the Netherlands, Olivia was already accompanied by her new employees. Both her manager and her secretary are from Australia.

My secretary, Fleur, is a friend of my sister's, says Olivia, clearly happy to be able to talk about more positive topics.

My new manager, Roger Davies, offered himself. I've known him since I was a kid. We both grew up in the same neighborhood of Melbourne. He proved he could handle the job as Tina Turner's manager.

Does she want only Australian friends around her from now on?

No, that's actually a coincidence. Besides, there's still my hairdresser, Armando Cosmo Cosio, who's Italian-American. He designed my new haircut and travels everywhere with me.

Photo captions: Olivia is now in the Netherlands with her new manager, Roger Davies.
Olivia two years ago. In this photo, you see her with her former manager, Lee Kramer, and her nephew, Emerson...