A bunch of worldwide stars and dignitaries paid tribute to the late Australian star Olivia Newton-John in at a state memorial service in Melbourne on Sunday.
Hundreds gathered at Hamer Corridor and video tributes got here from Elton John, Hugh Jackman, Dolly Parton, Pink, Barry Gibb and Mariah Carey.
Newton-John, who has a string of No 1 hits worldwide and starred in films similar to Grease and Xanadu, died in August, aged 73.
Members of Newton-John’s household additionally gave touching tributes, along with her husband, John Easterling, saying she was a “healer”.
“It’s a must to perceive, I wasn’t an Olivia fan, I didn’t know any Olivia music, I’d by no means even seen Grease,” he started to laughs from the viewers.
“However at this small theatre in Miami, she began singing Pearls on a Chain, and there was this therapeutic transferring by means of the viewers. And it hit me like a laser beam within the chest, that Olivia was a healer, and this was one in every of her mediums of therapeutic.”
Easterling faltered all through his speech, however was capable of recall a few of the conversations within the lead as much as their engagement.
“We’d every had some onerous instances in our life earlier than, like everybody has.”
“And we have been simply speaking about how fortunate we have been, to have discovered one another, and the way in love we have been and the way a lot happiness we have been experiencing.”
“In an order of magnitude the place we thought possibly we must always really feel responsible as a result of we have been so blissful, however we determined we’d really feel gratitude and simply let the happiness run at full throttle.”
Newton-John’s daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, adopted with an emotive speech that was met with a standing ovation, the place she remembered how loving her mom was.
“We liked watching our trashy TV exhibits collectively and instantly modified the channel when John walked within the room. We pretended we have been watching academic exhibits about plant drugs,” she remembered.
“My favorite factor to do was watch her watching the birds and the flowers, smelling her roses and the enjoyment it delivered to her face was a factor of magnificence. I liked making her tea after which making it 5 instances once more till I received it proper.
“I liked our snuggles. I’d crawl into mattress along with her late at night time, even when I used to be 20 years outdated. I liked the best way she smelled. I like how she liked totally and utterly.”
Many viewers took to social media to share how touching the service was, and the way a lot they liked Newton-John:
john easterling speaking about olivia newton-john at her memorial has me SOBBING
— 𝕛𝕠𝕣𝕕𝕪𝕟 🫱🏾🫲🏻 (@sammbuckys) February 26, 2023
Who’s watching the Olivia Newton John memorial? Tears rolling down my cheeks, she undoubtedly was inspiration.
— ❤️💛🖤 Minns4theWin, Dom4theGong. ❤️💛💚💙💜 (@Jac061272) February 26, 2023
Australian singer Delta Goodrem took to the stage to sing a medley of Newton-John’s hottest hits, to a principally rapturous viewers in particular person and on-line:
Delta being her traditional superb self on the Olivia Newton-John state memorial. She embodies the spirit of Olivia so extremely effectively.
— Alisha. (@Lisheon) February 26, 2023
Delta singing on the Olivia Newton-John memorial … completely superb. Olivia could be so proud 💖
— Fiona Shirley (@fionashirley76) February 26, 2023
A bunch of stars paid tribute to Newton-John through video hyperlink, with Sir Elton John saying her “bravery and optimism” would stick with him for ever.
“She was such a beautiful pressure of nature, she was humorous, variety, heat and gifted and each time we received collectively we laughed and laughed and laughed. All through her profession I’ve watched her develop and develop and develop to be the artist she turned.”
Nation star Dolly Parton mentioned she “actually liked” Newton John, and mentioned she grieved together with Australia.
“As a rustic, try to be very proud and know that the entire world mourns with you. Now, I had the honour of singing along with her a number of instances. I thought of her an ideal buddy in addition to a fellow entertainer. Olivia, to cite one in every of your songs, “I actually love you”. Thanks for shining your gentle on us.”
Veteran Australian tv reporter and Newton-John buddy Richard Wilkins, delivered a tribute on behalf of the leisure trade, the place he remembered her generosity and “nurturing” presence.
“Whereas she was an enormous international star, it took a sure character to embrace the position and preserve it. It took a capability and willingness to be a public determine and to take action with integrity, wholeheartedly and constantly.”
Two workers members on the Olivia Newton-John Most cancers Analysis centre additionally paid tribute to the late star, praising her dedication and fervour for the trigger.
“When speaking to our college students, it was Olivia’s heat and her easygoing persona, her authenticity that strengthened their conviction to dedicate their careers to one of the crucial damaging well being challenges of our time,” Prof Matthias Ernst mentioned.
The state memorial service to honour Olivia Newton-John was superbly completed. There have been nice tributes from household and buddies, and in addition a tremendous efficiency by @DeltaGoodrem who might need shed a tear proper on the finish #onjmemorial
— Johnson Leung (@johnsonleung) February 26, 2023
This Olivia Newton-John Memorial makes me realise I took with no consideration how fortunate I used to be to develop up surrounded by her presence in Australia.
That is such a gorgeous tribute.
— Ange (@AngeNMorris) February 26, 2023
