Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, co-stars in “Grease,” shared a close bond during their time filming the movie. Despite fans’ hopes for a romantic relationship between them, it proved challenging for them to become a couple.
“Grease,” a musical romantic comedy, became the most successful film released in the United States during the 20th century. Despite initial doubts from Paramount Pictures CEO Barry Diller about its commercial prospects, the film received a budget of $6 million.
Despite these unforeseen circumstances, the highly anticipated and critically acclaimed blockbuster made a significant impact on audiences, grossing over $300 million at the box office.
The story of “Grease” revolves around the romance between two high school students, Danny Zuko, portrayed by John Travolta, and Sandy Olsson, played by Olivia Newton-John.
Allan Carr, the showman responsible for producing the successful picture, played a pivotal role in bringing “Grease” to life. John Travolta once credited Carr, likening him to Barnum and Bailey, for the film’s success, stating, “We would not have been successful in achieving our goal if Allan had not been the showman.”
The adaptation of the musical “Grease” into a film was spearheaded by copywriter Jim Jacobs and high school teacher Warren Casey. Originally performed as a stage musical in Chicago in February 1971, “Grease” captured Carr’s heart as it made its way to New York City. He promptly presented the concept to Paramount Pictures Studios.
The photograph captures film producer Allan Carr at the Australian premiere of “Grease” in Sydney, Australia, on July 31, 1978, highlighting the global reach and enduring popularity of the iconic film.
Despite initial doubts from the production company about its potential impact, filming for “Grease” commenced at Venice High School in Los Angeles in June 1977. The movie premiered on June 16, 1978, exceeding all expectations by setting box office records. Its phenomenal success quickly turned it into a global sensation, earning a staggering $160 million within just one year.
Interestingly, John Travolta played a crucial role in convincing Olivia Newton-John to take on the role of Sandy, contributing to the film’s success.
In the 1978 film “Grease,” Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta showcase their dance moves in front of a packed high school gymnasium. Interestingly, it was Travolta who convinced Newton to take on the iconic role of Sandy in the movie. At the time of their meeting, Newton, a successful singer-songwriter, was 28 years old and already well-established in the music industry.
Despite producer Allan Carr’s belief that Newton would be a perfect fit for the role, she initially had reservations about joining the cast of the musical. In her book titled “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Newton-Olivia candidly expressed her doubts, questioning her suitability for portraying a high school student at the age of 28.
In 1978, Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta graced the premiere of the musical “Grease.” Newton-John, however, harbored doubts about her ability to adopt an American accent and was hesitant to take on a role in the film, preferring to focus on her music career.
Despite her reservations, producer Allan Carr persisted in his efforts to persuade her, even suggesting the possibility of transforming Sandy into an Australian transfer student to accommodate Newton-John. However, his attempts were unsuccessful in swaying her decision.
As a final attempt, Carr enlisted the help of Travolta, who was 23 years old at the time, to speak with Newton-John. Ultimately, after their conversation, Newton-John relented. Reflecting on her interaction with the “Hairspray” star, she admitted it was challenging to refuse him, and the two quickly formed a close friendship.
“When I stepped outside, I was greeted by those dazzling blue eyes and the warmest smile imaginable. John Travolta exudes a genuine sense of affection and pure joy in person. On that day, he embraced me in a bear hug as if we were old friends. How could anyone resist an invitation from John Travolta?”
After conducting a screen test to assess their chemistry on film, it was evident to everyone even before they spoke a word that Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta were perfect for the roles of Sandy and Danny. As Newton-John expressed, “Everyone laughed because the atmosphere was so tangible.”
In the musical “Grease,” Olivia Newton-John portrayed Sandy Olsson and John Travolta portrayed Danny Zuko, singing “You’re the One That I Want” on June 16, 1978.
Off-script, at the film’s after-party, the on-screen couple shared a passionate kiss to demonstrate their chemistry off-screen. Didi Conn, who portrayed Travolta’s co-star Frenchie, revealed that John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John did indeed share a kiss.
“You could see she was surprised for a moment, but then she responded. It was delightful and filled with passion. They weren’t acting; it felt like he seized the moment and she embraced it. It wasn’t a fantasy; it was reality.”
In a scene from the film “Two of a Kind” (1983), John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John share a passionate kiss, showcasing their undeniable chemistry. Both Travolta and the Australian native have openly acknowledged the presence of sexual tension between them during the filming of the movie. Newton-John admitted to their mutual fondness and attraction, while Travolta reflected on how this tension was palpable, particularly in the song “You’re the One That I Want,” where the conflict between their characters seemed to reach a pivotal moment of resolution.
In addition to their on-screen chemistry, there was also a strong emotional bond between the two, exemplified by Olivia Newton-John’s recounting of John Travolta’s caring and protective nature towards her. Newton-John recalled a particular incident during the filming of a scene at the bonfire, where Danny’s behavior towards Sandy was unsettling while he and his friends were present.
During the first take of the scene, Newton-John performed her part, but Travolta unexpectedly positioned himself directly in front of the camera during her close-up. He promptly apologized to the director, Randal Kleiser, and Newton-John proceeded with the second take. Afterward, Travolta approached her to apologize and explain his actions:
“I did it on purpose, Liv, because I don’t want them to use that take of the recording. I’m sure you can perform much better than that,” Travolta explained to Olivia Newton-John, showcasing his care and support for her. Newton-John reciprocated this love and support, expressing her eternal gratitude towards him for his thoughtfulness.
As they navigated through the throngs of fans and media at the red carpet event for the premiere of “Grease,” the two stars fielded questions from the press together. Later, at the after-party hosted by Paramount Studios, they shared a kiss, further highlighting the genuine nature of their bond.
Newton-John later revealed that Travolta had confided in her during filming, expressing that it was “every guy’s dream” to have her as their girlfriend, to which she playfully responded, “I don’t know about every man.” Despite their apparent connection, both Newton-John and Travolta were committed to their respective partners at the time. Newton-John emphasized that their relationship never progressed beyond friendship, despite fans’ desires for them to be together romantically.
In her biography, Newton-John recounted discussing this with Travolta, who shared her sentiments. They both acknowledged their commitments to their partners and maintained respectful boundaries. However, despite their initial intentions, feelings for each other did develop over time.
“It came close to happening on more than one occasion between the two of us, but it never did. There will be moments in your life when the timing is all wrong. As close friends, we were forced to part ways with it,” Olivia Newton-John reflected on the potential for romance between her and John Travolta.
During a fan Q&A session, Travolta affirmed the presence of sexual tension between them. However, Newton-John expressed in a 2018 interview for the “Mamma Mia: No Filter” podcast that acting on their feelings or experiencing a breakup would have been disastrous for their friendship.
Before filming “Grease,” Travolta had recently ended his relationship with actress Diana Hyland, who tragically passed away from breast cancer at the age of 41. Hyland had been diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy two years prior to her death. Travolta shared that Hyland had only realized the severity of her condition two weeks before her passing in 1977.
In the days leading up to her death, Travolta was on the east coast filming “Saturday Night Fever,” while Hyland remained in Los Angeles to complete filming for the comedy series “Eight Is Enough.” Both Travolta and Hyland had roles in “Eight Is Enough.”
The photograph was taken on December 8, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, capturing actor John Travolta and his girlfriend, actress Diana Hyland. The couple spent countless hours on the phone each night during Travolta’s absence, and tragically, Hyland’s passing was imminent upon his return. The day before her death, they took a stroll together in the garden.
On March 27, 1977, as Travolta held Hyland, she passed away. He later recounted to People magazine, “I felt the air go out of her.” Coping with the tragedy, he found solace in the words of his fiancée and the guidance of a Scientology “auditor,” along with his belief in parapsychiatric healing.
During the 36th Annual Golden Apple Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in December 1976, Travolta and Hyland attended together. Olivia Newton-John, his co-star, witnessed his profound grief and described him as remaining kind, open, honest, and vulnerable throughout their interactions. Despite the challenges, their friendship endured over the years.
Newton-John and Travolta continued to make joint appearances on the red carpet. They attended the Town Hall event hosted by SiriusXM in New York City on December 12, 2012, posing for photos together. Similarly, at the G’Day USA Australia black-tie event in 2008, held at the Hollywood Highland Grand Ballroom in Hollywood, California, they reunited after a significant time apart, sharing a warm embrace and exchanging affectionate gestures.
Furthermore, Newton-John provided support to John Travolta after he tragically lost his wife, actress Kelly Preston, to breast cancer in July 2020. Despite keeping the devastating news private, Newton-John spoke fondly of Preston, describing her as “a wonderful person.”
During the G’Day LA: Australia Week 2006 – Penfolds Icon Gala Dinner – Red Carpet, Kelly Preston was photographed alongside her husband John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
Having faced her own battle with breast cancer since her diagnosis in 1992, Newton-John has become a vocal advocate for health awareness. Despite experiencing the illness for the third time since September 2018, she remains resilient in her fight.
In the following year, rumors circulated about Newton-John’s declining health, prompting her to address the speculation directly on Twitter, stating, “rumors of my death have been grossly exaggerated.”
Newton-John candidly shared her struggles with fear amid her third health battle but maintained a positive outlook with the support of her husband. Travolta stood by her side throughout her cancer journey, offering unwavering support.
Despite the challenges they faced individually, Newton-John and Travolta have also collaborated on joint efforts.
The former “Grease” stars have embarked on a musical collaboration fueled by their unwavering support for each other. Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta released their joint project, “I Think You Might Like It,” on various platforms, including iTunes, in December 2012. They also worked together on a music video for the song.
In December 2019, the beloved duo delighted fans by appearing side by side at a meet-and-greet event, holding hands while dressed in their iconic costumes from the film.
Over forty years since the movie’s original release in 1978, Newton-John and Travolta reunited for the 2018 re-release. Newton-John wore a yellow and white suit, while Travolta opted for an all-black ensemble, marking the first time they had worn their costumes since filming. The special occasion took place at the Coral Sky Amphitheater in West Palm Beach, Florida, where they donned other memorable outfits from the film, with Newton-John sporting skin-tight leather leggings and a jacket, and Travolta embracing his iconic “greaser” look in all-black attire and his trademark hairstyle.