Singer and actress Olivia Newton-John died on Monday (August 8) following her third battle with cancer. She was 73 years old.
Newton-John was known for her many hit songs, including tunes such as “Physical” and “I Love You, I Honestly Love You.” She also had ties to the country music community, and won the CMA’s Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1974.
Some of Newton-John’s most iconic recordings came from the soundtrack for the 1978 film Grease. Newton-John starred in the movie as Sandy. John Travolta played her love interest Danny Zuko.
One song, “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” was not part of the original stage production of Grease. It was added to the film and was performed by Newton-John as Sandy. It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song.
Actress, singer, and dancer Julianne Hough performed “Hopelessly Devoted to You” when she played Sandy in the 2016 televised special Grease Live! The significance of the moment was not lost on Hough, who always admired Newton-John.
When Hough learned that Newton-John passed away, she was understandably heartbroken. She shared a slideshow containing various photos of them together, and wrote the following tribute:
“Like so many, Olivia has always been my hero. Discovering her magnetic energy as an artist and actress came first but it was her heart that truly captured mine. Forever an icon and legend!“
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Later, Hough followed up by sharing a video of her singing “Hopelessly Devoted to You” in Grease Live! She said she was “Forever honored to have been able to sing this song.”
Watch the video of Hough’s performance below.
May Newton-John rest in peace. She is so dearly missed…