Profile Lovely Livvy - Real Life

When Olivia Newton-John announced at age 16 that she wanted to drop out of school, her parents didn't exactly turn somersaults. The move hardly seemed wise for someone whose family had earned its greatest distinction academically. Olivia's father was the principal of Ormond College in Melbourne, Australia, and her grandfather, nuclear physicist Max Born, won a Nobel Prize.

Still, Olivia-then known as lovely Livvy on a local afternoon TV variety show - took the gamble.

And in the 18 years that have followed, she's built herself a name and a reputation that far eclipses those of her forebearers.

Of course, no one's arguing for the intellectual weight of Olivia's work. Her songs, from I Honestly Love You through Physical and Heart Attack, have all the substance of a mouthful of cotton candy, and as an actress, well, she rarely reaches beneath surface emotion. While other performers often lend their names to political causes, Olivia shies away from even stating her views publicly. I don't know that much about politics and I think it could be dangerous, she has admitted.

But as a commercial property, Olivia will definitely claim a good-sized entry in Hollywood's history books. So far in her career, she's collected seven platinum albums, ten gold singles, three Grammies, and an Order of the British Empire award in 1979. This year, Olivia was voted Favorite Female Pop/Rock Recording Artist in the American Music Awards competition.

And five years ago Olivia starred opposite John Travolta in Grease, the most successful movie musical to date. Reportedly she earned more than $10 million from the movie, which grossed in excess of $190 million. Those kind of numbers begot a re-teaming, and the two are currently starring in Two of a Kind,a $14 million mostly non-musical romantic comedy.

As if singing and acting haven't kept her busy enough, Olivia has also branched out into shopkeeping.

In October, she opened Koala Blue, a 2,000 square foot clothing store on Los Angeles' trendy Melrose Avenue. Her partner in the business is a friend from the past, childhood singing companion Pat Farrar. Last spring, Olivia made a special trip to Australia to select merchandise for the store.

Pausing to view Olivia's phenomenal success, serious artists may shake their heads in consternation. Singer-songwriter Randy Newman (Short People) once told Playboy magazine: For the life of me, I can't understand the vast appeal of I Honestly Love You! But in defense of her music, Olivia responds, If it's commercial, people like it, and that's what it's all supposed to be about.

Perhaps, but even in Olivia's life, the climb to premiere pop star status has caused some compromises. At 34, she's never been married and has no children, although she admits those were once major goals for her.

Currently she shares her six-acre ocean-view Malibu ranch with 24-year-old actor Matt Lattanzi, whom she met when he was the stand-in for her leading man in the movie Xanadu. Lattanzi's major acting credit was a part in Rich and Famous, which Olivia helped him land.

On the subject of marriage, Olivia remains cautious. I certainly don't need to marry for security, and it's not a decision I take lightly, she comments.

Privacy is another privilege Olivia has had to trade on-and not just with autograph-seekers and hand-shakers. Last July, Olivia chose to increase security at her home after a 28-year-old man charged with murdering five members of his family in Louisiana escaped from custody. He had called Olivia a Greek goddess and tried to visit her earlier in the year.

Olivia's quick to admit she's come a long way from both the circumstances and hopes of her childhood. I've done more than I ever dreamed I'd do in my career. I've always dreamed of success, but I've never been desperate for it, never spent any sleepless nights, because I figured if it were supposed to happen, well, someday it would, she has said.

My life has been a bit charmed.

Photo captions: (right) Olivia Newton-John's on top of things these days. Currently she's teamed with John Travolta in Two of a Kind
(left) off screen, she models a blouse that's featured at Koala Blue her new clothing store.
(right) Olinie attracted attention since she left school at 16 to pursue singing, acting and modeling
(below) On the set of Grease, she relaxes with co-star John Travolta, Reportedly, she earned $10 million for her role.