Olivia in France - Ici Paris

Since she's in Paris for the release of her new album, Gaia, I have an appointment with her. Classic.

The problem is, I'm not exactly alone; thousands of fans are gathered in front of her hotel. How am I going to get close to her? Unless I crawl over, it's practically mission impossible! So I decide to play the sneaky prankster. Finally reaching my destination, Olivia signals for me to wait in the lobby while she signs a few more autographs... When she returns an hour later, she apologizes profusely and introduces me to Chloe Rose, her nine-year-old daughter, who, as naturally as can be, greets me in French. The interview can finally begin...

Ici Paris Magazine: You're out of breath... Do you find Paris a stressful city?
Olivia Newton-John: Oh, you know, it's like that everywhere! Paris is a magnificent city, but I couldn't live there. If I were ever to settle in France, it would be in the provinces, in the countryside. I hate urban environments; I need to be surrounded by trees and animals to live. This summer, I was on vacation on the French Riviera and I had breathing problems because of the pollution. In Los Angeles, where I live most of the time, that never happened to me.
But I must tell you that I almost canceled my trip to France because I'm against the resumption of nuclear testing. In the end, I thought that by promoting my album, Gaia, the French might realize that nature is important, vital.

Precisely, what does Gaia mean?
In Greek mythology, Gaia is the name of the Earth goddess. I have a great passion for nature and I decided to fight for it, so that it wouldn't disappear. Making this album helped me rediscover hope for life. Moreover, it reflects all the emotions I've felt these past few years. Indeed, on this new album there are two very powerful songs, No Other Love and Why Me? A cry of love and a feeling of injustice...
Addressing her daughter: No Other Love, I wrote it for you. Chloe. As for Why Me?, it's the question I asked myself for a long time when I had breast cancer in 1992. I was so afraid of dying that I often wondered why it was happening to me... Did I deserve this? Little by little, I accepted the illness, which comforted me, and then I finally found the strength to fight and... to win!

Today, I'm making the most of life, because I haven't forgotten that three years ago, I had a brush with death.

Now that you're cured, have you changed your way of living or seeing things?
In a way, it was an enriching experience, because it allowed me to grow. I, who have always been a very down-to-earth person, would never have imagined that life could be so fragile. Today, I have therefore decided to make the most of it. And if, at the time, I stopped working, it was to take the time to live, to appreciate every moment with my daughter. Chloe is the most precious thing I have left in the world.

With her husband, that's it!

You're forgetting Matt Lattanzi, your husband...
As you may have noticed, Matt isn't here; he's in Australia. We recently separated, and I'd prefer we didn't discuss this in front of my daughter...

An only child... Was that a choice?
I would have loved to give Chloe a brother or sister. Unfortunately, I can no longer have children....

Have you stayed in touch with John Travolta?
Yes, we talk on the phone from time to time. I've also remained very good friends with Jeff Conaway and Frenchy, the girl with pink hair in the film.

Back then, could you have fallen for John's charm?
Maybe... I have to say, he was very handsome and very charming. Only, I already had a boyfriend...

And if you had to do your life over again? I would do exactly the same things, the good and the bad. I believe that without them, I wouldn't have become who I am. The only thing I regret is not having had the time to travel and discover certain countries.

And you, Chloé, would you like to have the same career as your mother?
I thought it was easy to get into film, so I tried. Eventually, I realized it was very hard to shoot a movie... Otherwise, I like handball. At home, I write lots of poems, and my favorite pastime is reading. I also love to dance and sing.

And if you could say a few words in French... You speak well, don't you?
(Chloe) Just a little bit: Hello. I'm American and I love you! (Laughs.)

Tell me, Olivia, when you were little, were you as extroverted as your daughter?
Like Chloe, I sang all the time. However, I was calmer than her, very reserved, rather shy. I enjoyed putting on plays with my parents, organizing mini-concerts and shows, but only at home.

Today, it's perhaps not widely known, but you've become a committed activist...
Yes, I chose to fight for animals and children because they have no way to defend themselves. Some time ago, my daughter lost a little friend to cancer, and she was very unhappy not being able to help her. So I created a foundation for sick children. Protecting nature, for me, is protecting humanity.

In three years, you'll be fifty. Doesn't that frighten you?
Not at all. I've never been in such good shape! It's precisely at that age that one fully enjoys life. Unlike some women, I'm not dreading turning fifty. Mind you, I say that now, but I'm sure that the day I blow out my fifty candles, I'll be completely depressed. We can meet again in three years, if you like...

Okay... But we can easily meet sooner... Shall we talk?

Photo caption: Olivia and her daughter, Chloe, visited the Planet Hollywood on the Champs-Elysées before meeting our collaborator and saying a few words to our readers.

By Maureen Marchal. Photos: Jean-Pierre Sani