Catchin' Up With Olivia!
After Many Years And Even More Changes, Olivia Newton-John Comes Full Circle!
How does one describe the career of this lovely lady who’s been serenading the world with her sweet singles and sometimes-sultry flip-sides for the past fifteen years? Full-circle, around the bend and right back to the top of pop does the job nicely!
The platinum key behind Livvy’s rollercoaster success can be summed up cleverly with one word: change. Quite simply, Olivia has pirouetted from image to image, from her clean-cut pageboy Grease days to the healthy, jogging suit-and-headband look of Physical.
Olivia’s latest offering is the sexy. seductive Soul Kiss LP, with its fiery title tune, Euro-styled “Driving Music” and even a duet with the Beach Boys’ Carl Wilson, titled, “You Were Great, How Was I?”
The new Olivia Newton-John has reached new heights of sophistication, both in her music and in her new look. Worlds away from the fresh-faced innocent who stepped on stage to accept her first Grammy Award back in 1973 (she won for Best Country Vocalist!), the lady on the sleeve of Soul Kiss is draped in wine-red satin and silk and looking very grown up.
Most importantly, of course, Olivia’s newest “twist of fate” (and image-change!) has her name and her newest tunes right on the tips of music lovers’ tongues once more!
Personally...
The past year for Olivia has seen a whirlwind of change on the home front. Her fairy-tale wedding to long-time boyfriend, actor Matt Lattanzi, took place a little over a year ago at the singer’s Malibu Canyon home. The beautiful, private ceremony was lit by a sparkling Christmas tree and a halo of candlelight.
Though many young ladies could not picture a more special moment, Olivia, now 37, found a way by announcing mid-year that she and Matt were expecting a child. (Valentine’s Day is the birthdate her doctors are estimating.)
Of course, her pregnancy kept Olivia from going on the road to promote Soul Kiss. However, she has no regrets about not touring. “I enjoy it when I’m up there, but I don’t thrive on it,” she’s said. “I think I’ve discovered a life of my own outside of my career that I really enjoy.”
On The Video Front...
Olivia showcased her new Soul Kiss LP with a hot-rockin’ special on cable-TV, Album Flash: Olivia Newton-John. The program introduced two new tunes, “Emotional Tangle” and “Culture Shock,” highlighted footage of Livvy at her sizzling best and featured a personal interview.
Of Course, There's Still Koala Blue...
In addition to being a talented singer, Olivia has always been known as a trendsetter. In fact, her stylish tastes in clothing inspired her and songwriting partner, Pat Farrar, to open a Los Angeles boutique, Koala Blue, over two years ago.
Koala Blue, which features Australian-made products, has been such a huge hit that Olivia recently signed a deal to franchise the boutique, possibly opening up to 200 stores around the country and in Europe.
Olivia is also considering joining the ranks of celebrities to open restaurants and recently met with the owner of the trendy New York City eatery, Canastels, to inquire about opening a branch in California.
Soul Kiss, a wonderful husband, a baby on the way, Koala Blue and maybe even a restaurant-what could possibly be next for Olivia Newton-John? Another hit album, of course!
Photo captions: Olivia and Matt at a recent premiere for Rocky IV.
Olivia at her trendsetting best.