Entertainment

‘I was horrified’: Olivia Newton-John not happy about new biopic

Apr 27, 2018

Olivia Newton-John with close friend Delta Goodrem, who will play her. Source: Getty.

Olivia Newton-John is refusing to watch the Channel 7 mini-series based on her life, admitting she was left feeling “horrified” when she first heard about it.

The actress, 69, will be played by her good friend Delta Goodrem in the biopic, and while she insisted the pair are close – she said she had no desire to watch the singer’s portrayal of her on screen.

In fact, she was against the TV special, named Olivia: Hopelessly Devoted To You, ever being made from the start, as she was worried about how it would affect her loved ones. However, she eventually realised it was a losing battle.

Speaking to Australia’s Women’s Weekly, she said: “I probably won’t watch it. When they told me they were doing it, I was horrified.”

She said she was more worried about how her old friends and current husband John Easterling would feel, adding: “It’s not their fault they were married to me or were my boyfriend, so I didn’t want it to happen… But then I realised it was going to happen whether I want it to or not.”

Speaking about her friend Delta however, the actress added that she had phoned her to ask her thoughts on taking the role. Praising her singing and acting abilities, Olivia said it “made it okay, because we’re friends.”

https://youtu.be/CYZDjqYuIA8

Having eventually come round to the idea, Olivia asked for any proceedings that would come her way, to instead be donated to her hospital, the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre.

The ‘Physical’ singer established the facility with a focus on providing “world-leading treatment complemented by wellness programs, clinical trials and breakthrough research” after her own battle with breast cancer.

Olivia confirmed at the end of May last year that she was battling the insidious disease for a second time, after originally beating it back in the 1990s. This time, the cancer had spread to her sacrum, a bone at the base of the spine, a discovery that was made by doctors treating her for what they thought was sciatica, a common back complaint.

She has also been using controversial cannabis treatment this time around.

“I use medicinal cannabis, which is really important for pain and healing,” she previously told The Daily Telegraph. “It’s a plant that has been maligned for so long, and has so many abilities to heal.”

Olivia: Hopelessly Devoted To You will air on Channel 7 in 2018.