A cavalcade of the world’s biggest stars paid tribute to the late Olivia Newton-John during the state memorial service for the late icon on Sunday.
In a series of video tributes broadcast via vide at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, the likes of Mariah Carey, Elton John, Pink and Dolly Parton shared their memories of the singer, who lost her battle with cancer in August.
American country music superstar Dolly Parton, 77, opened the tributes with fond memories of the star.
“The world lost one of its greatest talents when Olivia left us,” she said.
“I know it’s especially painful for all the people out there in Australia because she’s one of you. As a country, you should be very proud and know that the whole world is mourning with you,” Dolly continued.
A cavalcade of the world’s biggest stars paid tribute to the late Olivia Newton-John (pictured) during the state memorial service for the late icon on Sunday
“Now I’ve had the privilege of singing with her several times. I consider her a great friend and fellow entertainer. Olivia, to quote one of your songs, I really love you. And thank you for shining your light on us.’
American pop superstar Mariah Carey, 53, described herself as the late singer’s “friend and fan”.
“I just want to say thank you. She really impacted my life. As a little girl I loved her so much, growing up, Grease was probably the first movie I ever saw,” Mariah said.
“And then I met her later when she came and we performed together. I looked up to her so much and loved her songs. When I met her she was kind as a celebrity and talented, and I know she’s been through so much.
American country music superstar Dolly Parton (pictured) opened the tributes with fond memories of the star. “The world lost one of its greatest talents when Olivia left us,” she said
“Your humanitarian work – I just want to applaud that and say that not everyone does that. We love you, we love you Olivia Newton-John.’
English musician Elton John, 75, described Olivia as “someone I’ve always looked forward to”.
“She was such a wonderful force of nature, but she was funny, she was kind, she was warm and she was talented and every time we got together we laughed and laughed and laughed,” he said.
“Throughout her career I’ve watched her grow and grow and grow to become the artist she has become. I was able to do TV shows and go to the Grease party in New York City at Studio 54 which was great fun and we always had the best time.”
He continued: “The ONJ center in Melbourne is a testament to what she has done for so many millions of people. She fought her illness with the most incredible courage and bravery that will stay with me forever.
Mariah Carey (pictured) described herself as a “friend and fan” of the late singer
“I just want to say thank you. She really impacted my life. As a little girl I loved her so much, growing up, Grease was probably the first movie I ever saw,” Mariah said
“She was never down, she was always upbeat, she was funny, she was beautiful, she was kind. People like that don’t come around very often, so we should cherish her memory and never forget what she gave to the world.”
Australian actress Nicole Kidman, 55, recalled seeing and being inspired by Grease as a child.
“She was just a light in this world, which we all feel, and I grew up listening to her,” Nicole said.
“I performed her songs at school, when I first saw ‘Grease’ I was like, ‘I want to be Olivia Newton-John.'” So it’s incredibly important for all of us to be able to pay tribute to her tonight . Sending you all our love, Livvie.”
Nicole’s husband, country singer Keith Urban, 55, described how Olivia was a “real light”.
Elton John (pictured) described Olivia as “someone I’ve always looked forward to”. “She was such a wonderful force of nature, but she was funny, she was kind, she was warm and she was talented and every time we got together we laughed and laughed and laughed,” he said
“I first met Livvie at a songwriting retreat in the late 90’s. The first thing that struck me about her was that she was exactly who I imagined her to be as a person. No pretense, no facade, just the real thing, warm, friendly, nice, interested. Just a light,’ Keith said.
“Of course she then played a really big part on the night my wife and I got together. Nic and I met at an event in Los Angeles. Olivia introduced me on stage that night. There she was part of our very first beginnings. For this and many other reasons, she will always play a very, very special role in our lives and have a place in our hearts.”
He continued, “But what is truly extraordinary about Olivia is the legacy she has left, not only in music and film, but her humanitarian legacy is extraordinary.
“This is something that will last for generations and help millions and millions of people. For this and so many other reasons, I love you Livvie, we love you, we miss you, thank you from all of us.’
Pink (pictured) called Olivia “an absolute angel” and recalled meeting her on a couple of occasions. “She was one of the kindest, most present, only light-filled beings to walk the earth,” Pink said
British singer Cliff Richard, 82, spoke about the close friendship the couple shared during Olivia’s lifetime.
“We’ve kept in touch a lot over the years. In fact, I called her about three or four weeks before she died, and of course every time I called her, she would say, “Hi Cliff, how are you darling,”” Cliff recalled.
“People would say, ‘How is she?’ We knew she was battling cancer. I said, “I don’t know, she sounds like good old beautiful Olivia.” I thought of course after 30 years of battling cancer she would be around for another 30 years, still fighting and still going strong,” he continued.
“I’m afraid it was a terrible loss, not just for me but for all of us.”
Cliff also spoke fondly of Olivia’s very close ties to her native Australia.
Nicole Kidman (pictured) recalled seeing and being inspired by Grease as a child. “She was just a light in this world, which we all feel, and I grew up listening to her,” Nicole said
“I have to say her heart has always been in Australia, always,” the pop singer explained.
“She went there regularly and if I may I’d love to rip my heart out tonight and leave it with you all and just say, ‘Olivia, you’ve done so much for us just by being who you are Are.” I want to say, “God bless you, may you rest in the peace you so absolutely deserve. It was good to know you.”‘
American pop star Pink, 43, called Olivia “an absolute angel” and recalled meeting her on a couple of occasions.
“She was one of the kindest, most present, only light-filled beings to walk the earth,” Pink said.
“She always had a smile on her face and her career has been incredible, but she will be greatly missed and my heart goes out to her family. I know this is a horrible time and I hope they find some comfort in how universally loved she was.
Nicole’s husband, country singer Keith Urban (pictured), described how Olivia was a “real light”.
Bee Gees singer Barry Gibb, 76, recalled first meeting Olivia in the 1960s, describing her as “a vision” and “a beautiful woman”.
“Making music with her has almost always been the greatest pleasure and I have to give credit to her courage, I have to credit her conscious intention to keep going, to keep going no matter what, and she was a wonderful person because you never really knew, you never did.” seen the problem in her,” he said.
“What you saw was her vitality, her courage and you know I loved her then and I love her now. She was a vision and she is still a vision. God wants to hear her sing, I know that.”
Australian actor Hugh Jackman, 54, admitted that as a young man in fifth grade he was “obsessed” with Grease and “had a poster of Olivia Newton-John on my wall that I kissed every night”.
Bee Gees singer Barry Gibb (pictured) recalled first meeting Olivia in the 1960s, describing her as “a vision”.
While working on a film with John Travolta, Hugh told the poster’s story and John surprised him by introducing him to Olivia.
“I went into his trailer, which by the way is like the Four Seasons trailer. I walked in and there at the table was Olivia Newton-John. And I literally froze and he said, “Come and sit down.” I just stood there, frozen, looking down at a table with Danny and Sandy.
“I started gushing, I can’t remember all the things I said to Olivia, I told her about the poster she kissed every night, I could see her eyes glaze over, and she said to John, “Get that butterball out of here. “It was a big moment for me.
Drag superstar Ru Paul, 62, called Olivia “an amazing woman” who had “the talent, the beauty, the smile and that sweet, kind heart.”
Cliff Richard (pictured) spoke about the close friendship the couple shared
“We’ve kept in touch a lot over the years. In fact, I only called her about three or four weeks before she died, and of course every time I called her, she would naturally say, “Hi Cliff, how are you darling?” Cliff said
“So many great memories of Olivia. The impact she made on this world and is still being felt around the world is just amazing,” she said.
“What a beautiful soul, songwriter, mother, actress, singer, that voice. I will miss her but she left a legacy that will live on forever, forever and ever.
“So much fun, just a great, great energy around them. This energy will live forever and ever. The music, the laughter and the joy it brought.’
Ru recalled: “You know, when I found out that she had moved away, I was on a plane to London and I had to watch Grease. Watch it on the plane. At the end where she waves goodbye, I just lost my composure, I just lost my composure.
“I’m sure everyone around me must have thought something terrible had happened. You know what it was actually a beautiful thing. It was a beautiful thing. She left something beautiful. She left something beautiful. I love you Olivia my friend,” she concluded.
Hugh Jackman (pictured) admitted he was “obsessed” with Grease as a young man and “had a poster of Olivia Newton-John on my wall that I would kiss every night”.
Richard Marx (pictured) recalled how Olivia supported him as a young songwriter. “She was just the best. I will never forget her,” he said
Drag superstar Ru Paul (pictured) called Olivia “an amazing woman” who had “the talent, the beauty, the smile and that sweet, kind heart.”
American singer Richard Marx, 59, recalled how Olivia supported him as a young songwriter.
“We met in 1984 and it just clicked, we hit it off right away and started spending time together. She wanted to start writing songs. I was a young and aspiring songwriter. We wrote a little bit together, we just became friends and stayed friends forever,” Richard said.
“She was just the best. I will never forget her.”
Australian pop singer Tina Arena, 55, called Olivia one of Australia’s “biggest” legends.
“She was a woman that I was very, very fortunate to have had the privilege of knowing personally for a very, very long time, a woman who made an extraordinary contribution, not just to the arts, to humanity, but to cancer research in Australia,” she said.
Australian pop singer Tina Arena (pictured) dubbed Olivia one of Australia’s “biggest” legends
“Today we say goodbye to you Olivia. Thank you for the music, for the love, for the education on how to be an exquisite, exquisite woman.
“We love you, we will remember you forever and this is for your family and loved ones you leave behind.
“But here is the memory of this extraordinary human being, we love you so much darling, may you rest in peace and dance up there in heaven.”
The service comes six months after Newton-John died in August at the age of 73 after a brave and decades-long battle with cancer.
Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and began raising funds for research and cancer awareness.
Her career spanned more than 60 years during which she produced 28 studio and six live albums.
She is survived by her husband John Easterling and their only daughter Chloe Lattanzi.
The service comes six months after Newton-John died in August at the age of 73 after a brave and decades-long battle with cancer