Rumours rock the cradle
But for now, anyway, Olivia Newton-John's 'pregnancy' remains just another rumor
IT all started with the Aussie designer Jenny Kee’s super-large sweater with a big red koala on the front.
The big sweater, the sort that Olivia Newton-John sells in her Koala Blue shop in Los Angeles and loves to wear herself, sparked off rumors that the slender superstar was pregnant.
When Olivia wore the sweater to Knots Landing star Lisa Hartman’s 28th birthday bash at Spago’s Restaurant, the paparazzi were out in force. They were convinced that the big sweater hid a secret Olivia and her husband of seven months. Matt Lattanzi, were expecting.
“Not true,” said Olivia’s publicist Paul Bioch, of the big Rogers And Cowan agency.
“No way.” said Lindsay Scott, general manager of Roger Davies Management, which handles the Australian superstar’s business affairs.
And finally, after the scandal press announced the news that the baby was due later in the year. Olivia herself denied the rumor
“No. I am not pregnant.” she said firmly. “I want to be. But not yet.”
Olivia is now in London, putting down a television special. This will be followed by a gruelling worldwide promotion tour planned for August to push her latest album. She said pregnancy plans have had to be shelved until after September at the earliest.
However, both Olivia and Matt have said they hope that there will be a little Newton-John-Lattanzi running around within 12 months.
Since Olivia wed Lattanzi late last year, announcements of her pregnancy have appeared almost weekly. The latest story is that close friends revealed that the couple hope their first baby will arrive in June next year.
Although Olivia is not pregnant, her eagerness to have a family has triggered many of the rumors. When she attended a fashion show of maternity designer wear at L’Orangerie, as part of the famous Los Angeles designer’s spring fashion show, rumors gathered momentum that Olivia wasn’t just looking but was at the show to buy.
“I’m not pregnant.” Olivia announced at the show when pestered by reporters from TV and newspapers. “But,” she said with a grin. “before the year is out I hope to be!”
Olivia and Matt, after a romantic Paris and European honeymoon in December, have concentrated on their respective careers. Olivia has worked around the clock putting down her new album, with songs by Steve Kipner and one by Aussie Billy Thorpe. Matt has been carving his name as an actor and has just finished a stage run in Los Angeles in a play called Saturday Night, in which he played Elvis Presley.
Matt and Olivia won’t be back at their Malibu ranch until September. That’s when both say they’ll relax, unwind and begin planning their family.
From Jenny Cullen in Los Angeles