Three decades after she and John Travolta first made sweet music together as love-struck ’50s teenagers in Grease, Olivia Newton-John returns to theaters this summer in a newly remastered version of the 1978 musical, with sing-along onscreen lyrics. Tell us more! Tell us more!
Q: Does the idea of theaters full of tone-deaf people singing your songs at the top of their lungs horrify even a small part of you?
A: No, I think that’s part of the fun. It doesn’t bother me at all. You get enough people together and you can’t tell.
Q: What’s your all-time favorite Grease song?
A: Probably “Hopelessly Devoted.” It’s a classic, beautiful ballad. And I love “You’re the One That I Want.” It doesn’t date.
Q: If there were a Grease postage stamp, would it have ponytailed Sandy, from early in the film, or leather-catsuit Sandy from the end?
A: I think leather Sandy. It’s more fun. But ponytailed Sandy might be a cleaner image for a stamp.
Q: What’s the secret of Grease that keeps generations of fans loving it?
A: It’s a combination of the music, the time period and the great energy. And it’s at school. See how many [school-themed musicals] have gone on since — from Glee to High School Musical. It’s easily relatable.
Q: How would you compare dancing with Jane Lynch on Glee to dancing with John Travolta?
A: I laughed so much dancing with Jane. She’s so funny and so sweet. But it was very, very different.
Q: When’s the last time you danced with Travolta?
A: Probably when we were filming Grease.
Q: Aren’t we overdue?
A: I think the world can do without my dancing. But John is amazing.
Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures, Behind the scenes of Grease with Director Randal Kleiser,Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta