CELEBRITIES SAY GOODBYE TO OLIVIA
CELEBRITIES gathered at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on Sunday to farewell legendary Australian singer Olivia Newton-John at her State Memorial Service.
In attendance were Kate Ceberano, Molly Meldrum, Delta Goodrem, Dannii Minogue, Human Nature’s Phil Burton and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, as well as Newton-John’s husband John Easterling and daughter Chloe Lattanzi. Multicultural Affairs Minister Andrew Giles attended, representing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was unable to attend due to commitments in Sydney.
Speaking to Channel 7, singer Delta Goodrem looked visibly emotional talking about her mentor.
“It is beautiful to see everybody coming out,” she said.
“(I’m) so happy to see everybody coming together on a day to celebrate someone who touched all our lives.
“I think that is really what it is. Seeing everybody just come together and being able to honour and celebrate Olivia is incredibly special.”
Minogue credited Newton-John as a key inspiration for her career.
“She is literally the reason why I started performing and I was lucky enough to tell her that the first time that we met.
“She is a great friend of mine,” she told Channel 7.
On Sunday afternoon, Minogue shared a photo of herself with the Grease star and fellow singer Tottie Goldsmith, with a touching tribute to the late actress.
“I perform because of one person, Olivia Newton-John. She has had me transfixed since I saw her as Sandy in Grease,” she said.
“I have had the most incredible moments with her and the beautiful Tottie Goldsmith, who has the same sparkle and shine.”
Mourners were asked to wear “a touch of orange” in a tribute to the singer’s favourite colour, with an orange red carpet rolled out for the service.