The Oscars 2023 brought in a wave of different emotions. While the usual excitement was in the air, John Travolta’s emotional tribute to his Grease co-star, Olivia Newton-John , made us tear up on our sofa seats. Let’s take a look at Travolta’s hearty message that almost made the singer break down on stage.
The In Memoriam Segment
The Oscars annual In Memoriam segment was presented by John Travolta this year as his emotions burst out while paying tribute to his close friend and co-star, Olivia Newton-John.
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Calling All Angels
The 58-year-old singer performed his hit song “Calling All Angels” while playing the piano as a tribute video played in the background to commemorate the industry professionals who’ve been laid to rest.
Some Famous Names
The video featured some famous names such as Ray Liotta, Raquel Welch, Angelo Badalamenti, James Caan, Jean-Luc Goddard, Mary Alice, Julie Reichert, Angela Lansbury, Irene Cara, and Burt Bacharach.
People Who Have Touched Hearts
Travolta then gave a quick nod to Newton-John’s ballad hit and said, “They’ve touched our hearts, they’ve made us smile, and became dear friends, who we will always remain hopelessly devoted to.”
Starting To Well Up
His voice started trembling halfway through the speech, making him choke up on his words, before he mustered the strength to invite Lenny Kravitz on stage.
Heartfelt Praises
Travolta received heartfelt praises from fans around the globe for his display of vulnerability, while many lauded him for pushing through his sorrow to finish the segment.
A Lot For Anyone
One Twitter user commented, “Poor #JohnTravolta! He has recently lost 3 of the loves of his life!: his wife #KellyPreston # OliviaNewtonJohn & #KirstieAlley That’s a lot for anyone!”
Losing His Wife And Friend
Travolta’s wife, Kelly Preston, passed away in 2020 from breast cancer, while his longtime friend, Kirstie Alley, died in December from colon cancer.
A Decade-Long Battle
Another one of his dear friends, Newton-John passed away in August last year after fighting a decade-long battle with cancer.
Passed Away Peacefully
Her husband announced the news of her death, saying, “Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends.”
A Symbol Of Triumph
Talking about her journey he commented, “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.”
A Fund For Cancer Research
He concluded the message by highlighting the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, “Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.”
See You Down The Road Again
Travolta remembered his friend through an Instagram post that read, “My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again.”
The Last Few Years
Olivia had previously beaten breast cancer twice but was diagnosed with the same sickness in 2017 again. She spent her last years at home campaigning for animal rights and raised money for her charity through online campaigning.
Been A Part Of Her Life
In an interview with The Guardian, she said, “It’s been a part of my life for so long. I felt something was wrong. It’s concerning when it comes back, but I thought, ‘I’ll get through it again.”
Spent An Amazing Life
In another interview, Newton-John commented, “I’ve had and am having an amazing life so I have no complaints.”
The Biggest Challenge
Talking about her sickness, she said, “Everyone goes through something. We all have something we need to go through in life. This has been my challenge.”
A Big Break
Olivia received her big break 4 years after returning to England when Grease producer Allen Carr won her over for the role of Sandy Olsson.
A Worldwide Sensation
Although she had reservations about the movie, it became a worldwide hit soon after its release. This made Newton-John a global sex symbol. Her memory will stay with us forever.
