John Travolta breaks down in a puddle of tears on Oscars stage as he introduces Olivia Newton-John’s In Memoriam tribute
JOHN Travolta has gotten choked up while remembering Olivia Newton-John ahead of the Oscars’ in memoriam segment.
The Grease actress died in August 2022 after a battle with breast cancer.
John, 69, stepped on stage to introduce the 2023 Academy Awards’ in memoriam segment, remembering all the stars we lost in the year leading up to the show.
Among them was his friend and co-star Olivia, who died at age 73.
He delivered a monologue before the somber moment began, saying: “Since tonight is a celebration of the work and the accomplishments of our community in this past year, it is only fitting that we celebrate those that we’ve lost who dedicated their lives to their craft both in front of and behind the camera through their immeasurable contributions each of them left and individual and indelible mark that shared and that formed us.
“They’ve touched our hearts. They’ve made us smile and they became dear friends who we will always remain hopelessly devoted to.”
The line was a nod to Olivia’s song Hopelessly Devoted To You.
The actor couldn’t hold back his emotions, getting teary-eyed and appearing visibly upset.
In the audience, an audible reaction could be heard.
Fans felt for him, reacting to the emotional moment online.
On Twitter, one fan wrote: “John Travolta breaking at the #Oscars broke me.”
Another wrote: “Moving and emotional intro to the In Memoriam segment by John Travolta.”
REST IN PEACE
Olivia died in August 2022 after a battle with cancer.
She passed at her ranch in Southern California, her husband, John Easterling, confirmed.
“Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends,” Easterling wrote on her Facebook page.
“Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.
“Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.
“In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund (ONJFoundationFund.org).”
Although no cause of death was disclosed, sources close to the actress told TMZ: “After a 30-year cancer journey, she lost her battle to metastatic breast cancer.”
Before her iconic role on Grease, the vibrant British-Australian was no stranger to the limelight, having had a successful music career and held five number one hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100 during the 1970s.
She hit big in ’71 with the single If Not for You and again two years later with Let Me Be There.
She followed up those two chart-toppers with her Grammy-nominated single, Have You Never Been Mellow.
EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE
Her Grease co-stars spoke out about losing her in the days after she passed.
Didi Conn appeared on Good Morning America to talk about Olivia’s final days.
She was emotional in the interview, getting teary-eyed.
The actress told host Robin Roberts what it was like working alongside the Grease star.
Didi said she had spoken to Olivia just a few weeks prior to her passing.
Holding back tears, Didi said: “She told me that she wasn’t walking anymore, and she had full-time care, but her husband John and her daughter Chloe were there all the time.”
“She told me that they were just so hopelessly devoted, you know?” she added, referencing a fan favorite song from Grease.
The two women met on the set of Grease and had remained close friends long after the movie was completed.
Didi reflected on the first time she met her co-star.
“Gorgeous,” she simply said.
“She was nervous!” Didi added. “In the first scene we had together, it was like coming together on the first day of school.”