Delta Goodrem fought back tears as she paid tribute to Olivia Newton-John ahead of a state memorial service to celebrate the late iconic singer’s life.
The Australian singer fought hard to keep her emotions in check as she described Newton-John as a “light of the industry” outside Hamer Hall in Melbourne on Sunday.
The service comes six months after Newton-John passed away in August at the age of 73 after a brave and decades-long battle with cancer.
Half an hour earlier, a livestream began with a personal photo tribute showing her life under the spotlight and away from the cameras with family and children.
Some 2,300 people were expected to attend the service, with guests including Prime Minister Daniel Andrews and showbiz legend Paul Hogan.
Goodrem apologized when she spoke of her mentor with the loss being particularly painful for her after playing the singer in a 2018 miniseries.
Delta Goodrem fought back tears as she paid tribute to Olivia Newton-John ahead of a state memorial service to celebrate the late iconic singer’s life
The Australian singer fought hard to keep her emotions in check when she described Newton-John as a “light of the industry” outside Melbourne’s Hammer Hall on Sunday.
Half an hour earlier, a livestream began with a personal photo tribute showing her life under the spotlight and away from the cameras with family and children
‘It’s beautiful to see everyone come out and… It’s beautiful. Sorry,’ she told reporters outside the room.
Goodrem described Newton-John as a “light to the whole industry” who “taught me so much.”
“I am so happy to see everyone come together one day to celebrate someone who touched all of our lives.
“I think that’s really what it is. Seeing everyone come together and be able to honor and celebrate Olivia is incredibly special.”
‘Kath and Kim’ star Magda Szubanski said Newton-John had ‘transformed Australian society’, not only with her career, but also with charity work and philanthropy.
“What she did for health, for cancer, is extraordinary,” she said.
“A really, you know, wonderful person and one of the most humble people you could ever meet.”
Noongar wife and singer Bumpy was joined by Jake Amy and the duo opened the state memorial with a moving rendition of Newton-John’s hit ‘Grace and Gratitude’.
Goodrem was among the stars who shared tributes immediately after news of Newton-John’s death in August.
‘A force for good. A force of nature. Strong and kind. My mentor, my friend, my inspiration, someone who has always guided me… I love you forever,” she said of the acclaimed singer after her death.
Newton-John moved to Melbourne from the UK at a young age and showed a passion for performing early on.
Her big break came playing the role of Sandy in the 1978 movie Grease, opposite John Travolta.
Newton-John moved to Melbourne from the UK at a young age and showed a passion for performing early on
Featuring hits like You’re The One That I Want and Summer Nights, the film became the soundtrack for a generation and remains one of the most successful musicals of all time.
“My dearest Olivia, you have made our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much,” Travolta posted online after her death.
‘We’ll see you down the road and then we’ll all be together again. Yours from the moment I saw you and forever. Your Danny, your John!’
Newton-John’s career spanned more than 60 years during which she made 28 studio and six live albums.
She won four Grammys with numerous No. 1 hits and sold more than 100 million records.
Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and began raising money for research and promoting cancer awareness.
The Olivia Newton-John Wellness and Research Centre, a treatment and research center in Melbourne, opened in 2012 and its services have helped thousands.
In 2019 she was made a Companion of the Order of Australia and also made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
She is survived by her husband John Easterling and only daughter Chloe Lattanzi.
The Australian singer’s life was celebrated by fans, stars and loved ones at the free ticket service held at Melbourne’s Hammer Hall at 4pm on Sunday.