Editing Olivia Newton-John (section)

==Career==
===Career beginnings===
Newton-John went to primary school with [[Daryl Braithwaite]], who also followed a singing career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Segaert |first=Anthony |date=10 August 2022 |title='Lively with noteworthy eyes': The untold story of Olivia Newton-John's school years |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/lively-with-noteworthy-eyes-the-untold-story-of-olivia-newton-john-s-school-years-20220810-p5b8si.html |access-date=15 August 2022 |website=Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> At age 14, with three classmates, Newton-John formed a short-lived, all-girl group called Sol Four which often performed at a coffee shop owned by her brother-in-law.<ref name="ilovethatsong1">{{cite web|url=http://ilovethatsong.com/artist/default.aspx?aid=237|title=Olivia Newton-John – Hip-O Records|publisher=Ilovethatsong.com|date=26 October 1987|access-date=10 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111223646/http://ilovethatsong.com/artist/default.aspx?aid=237|archive-date=11 January 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Newton-John originally wanted to become a veterinarian but then chose to focus on performance after doubting her ability to pass science exams.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 August 2022 |title=Dame Olivia Newton-John obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/aug/08/olivia-newton-john-obituary |access-date=17 August 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

In 1964, Newton-John's acting talent was first recognised portraying Lady Mary Lasenby in her [[University High School, Melbourne|University High School's]] production of ''[[The Admirable Crichton]]'' as she became the Young Sun's Drama Award best schoolgirl actress runner-up.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olivia in the Melbourne University High School Play |url=https://onlyolivia.com/memorabilia/presscut/60s/64-01-01-au-crichton-play.html |access-date=17 August 2022 |website=onlyolivia.com}}</ref> She then became a regular on local Australian television shows, including ''Time for Terry'' and [[HSV (TV station)|HSV-7]]'s ''[[Happy Hammond|The Happy Show]]'', where she performed as "Lovely Livvy".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Amy |title=Olivia Newton-John on Why She Won't Watch The Hopelessly Devoted To You Biopic |url=https://www.gq.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/olivia-newtonjohn-on-the-onj-wellness-walk-and-why-she-wont-watch-the-hopelessly-devoted-to-you-biopic/news-story/642852b731a2bcc50ecd4b9fa29abeca |access-date=5 August 2019 |work=GQ |date=5 September 2018}}</ref> She also appeared on ''[[The Go!! Show]],'' where she met her future duet partner, singer [[Pat Carroll (singer)|Pat Carroll]], and her future music producer, [[John Farrar]]. (Carroll and Farrar later married.)

In 1965, she entered and won a talent contest on the television program ''[[Sing, Sing, Sing (TV series)|Sing, Sing, Sing]],'' hosted by 1960s Australian icon [[Johnny O'Keefe]]. She performed the songs "[[Anyone Who Had a Heart (song)|Anyone Who Had a Heart]]" and "[[Everything's Coming Up Roses]]". She was initially reluctant to use her prize, a trip to Great Britain, but travelled there nearly a year later after her mother encouraged her to broaden her horizons.<ref name="books.google.com" />

While in Britain, Newton-John missed her then-boyfriend, [[Ian Turpie]],<ref name="Murphy"/> with whom she had co-starred in the 1965 Australian telefilm ''[[Funny Things Happen Down Under]]''. She repeatedly booked trips back to Australia that her mother cancelled.<ref name="ilovethatsong1" />

In 1966, Newton-John recorded her first single, "Till You Say You'll Be Mine", in Britain for [[Decca Records]].<ref name="books.google.com" />

Newton-John's outlook changed when Pat Carroll moved to the UK. The two formed a duo called Pat and Olivia and toured nightclubs in Europe. (In one incident, they were booked at [[Paul Raymond's Revue]] in [[Soho]], London, and were unaware that it was a [[strip club]] until they began to perform onstage dressed primly in frilly high-collared dresses.)<ref name="classic bands.com">{{cite web|author=Pore-Lee-Dunn Productions|url=http://www.classicbands.com/olivia.html|title=Olivia Newton-John|publisher=Classicbands.com|date=26 September 1948|access-date=13 August 2010}}"</ref> During this period, she and Carroll contributed backup vocals to recordings by a number of other artists, notably the song "Come In, You'll Get Pneumonia" by [[the Easybeats]]. After Carroll's visa expired, Carroll was forced to return to Australia but Newton-John remained in Britain to pursue solo work.<ref name="classic bands.com" />

Newton-John was recruited for the group Toomorrow,<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-pops-hottest-pipes-vol-3-no-7/|title=Pop's Hottest Pipes|website=People|first=Robert|last=Windeler|date=24 February 1975|access-date=10 November 2008}}</ref> formed by American producer [[Don Kirshner]]. In 1970, the group starred in the science fiction musical ''[[Toomorrow (film)|Toomorrow]]'' and recorded an accompanying [[Toomorrow (soundtrack)|soundtrack album]] on [[RCA Records]]; both the LP and the movie were named after the group. That same year, the group made two single recordings: "You're My Baby Now"/"Goin' Back" and "I Could Never Live Without Your Love"/"Roll Like a River". Neither track became a chart success; the project failed and the group disbanded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlyolivia.com/visual/toomorrow/index.html|website=Only Olivia|title=Olivia Newton-John movie Toomorrow|access-date= 29 February 2020}}</ref>

===1971–1974: Early success===
[[File:If Not for You - Cash Box ad 1971.jpg|thumb|upright|left|''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' advertisement, 15 May 1971]]

In 1971, Newton-John released her first solo album, ''[[If Not for You (album)|If Not for You]]'' (US No. 158 Pop). In the UK, the album was released as ''Olivia Newton-John''. The [[If Not for You|title track]], written by [[Bob Dylan]], was her first international hit (US No. 25 Pop, No. 1 [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]/"AC").<ref name="ONJ.com_bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.olivianewton-john.com/bio.html|title=Olivia Newton-John Biography|publisher=Olivianewton-john.com|access-date=13 August 2010|archive-date=27 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127153227/http://olivianewton-john.com/bio.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Her follow-up single, "[[Banks of the Ohio]]", was a top 10 hit in the UK and Australia, but only peaked at number 94 in the United States. She was voted Best British Female Vocalist two years in a row by the magazine ''[[Record Mirror]]''. She made frequent appearances on [[Cliff Richard]]'s weekly show ''It's Cliff Richard''<ref name="google1">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgGqNrqfrsoC&q=%22olivia+newton%22&pg=PT499|title=The Billboard book of number 1 hits|access-date=13 August 2010|isbn=9780823076772|last1=Bronson|first1=Fred|year=2003|publisher=Billboard Books }}</ref> and starred with him in the telefilm ''The Case''.

Newton-John's 1972 single "[[What Is Life]]" (No. 34 AC) made minimal impact in the United States. As a result, her second studio album ''[[Olivia (Olivia Newton-John album)|Olivia]]'' was never formally issued in the United States. The subsequent single "[[Take Me Home, Country Roads]]" similarly saw little success. Her fortune changed with the release of "[[Let Me Be There]]" in 1973. The song reached the American top 10 on the Pop (No. 6), Country (No. 7),<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=eKicir5sZr4C&pg=PA461|title=The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits|isbn=9780823082919|access-date=13 August 2010|last1=Whitburn|first1=Joel|year=2006|publisher=Billboard Books }}</ref> and AC (No. 3) charts and earned her a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]] for Best Country Female<ref name="google1" /> and an Academy of Country Music award for Most Promising Female Vocalist.<ref name="ONJ.com_bio" />

Her third studio album ''[[Let Me Be There (album)|Let Me Be There]]'' was released in November 1973, retitled ''Music Makes My Day'' in Britain. The US and Canadian versions featured an alternate track list that mixed new cuts with selections from ''Olivia'' and also recycled six songs from ''If Not for You'', which was going out of print.

[[File:Dionne Warwick, Don Kirschner, Helen Reddy Olivia Newton-John 1974.JPG|thumb|upright|From left to right: [[Dionne Warwick]], [[Don Kirshner]], [[Helen Reddy]], and Newton-John in 1974]]
In 1974, Newton-John represented the United Kingdom in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 1974|Eurovision Song Contest]] with the song "[[Long Live Love (Olivia Newton-John song)|Long Live Love]]". The song was chosen for Newton-John by the British public out of six possible entries (Newton-John later admitted that she disliked the song).<ref>O'Connor, John Kennedy. ''The Eurovision Song Contest – The Official History''. Carlton Books, UK. 2007. {{ISBN|978-1-84442-994-3}}</ref> Newton-John finished fourth at the contest, held in [[Brighton]], behind the Swedish winning entry, "[[Waterloo (ABBA song)|Waterloo]]" by [[ABBA]]. All six Eurovision contest song candidates—"Have Love, Will Travel", "Lovin' You Ain't Easy", "Long Live Love", "Someday", "Angel Eyes" and "Hands Across the Sea"—were recorded by Newton-John and included on her ''[[Long Live Love (album)|Long Live Love]]'' album, her first for the [[EMI Records]] label.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.radioswissjazz.ch/en/music-database/musician/61208199ab67891d8c421c0fa124e2758978f/biography |title=Olivia Newton-John |website=Radio Swiss Jazz|access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref>

The ''Long Live Love'' album was released in the US and Canada as ''[[If You Love Me, Let Me Know]]''. All the Eurovision entries were dropped for different and more country-flavoured tunes intended to capitalise on the success of "Let Me Be There"; the North American offering used selections from ''Long Live Love'', ''Olivia'' and ''Music Makes My Day'', and only the title cut was new. The album reached No. 1 on both the pop (one week)<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/notablemomentsof0000warn|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/notablemomentsof0000warn/page/191 191]|title=Notable Moments of Women in Music|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|access-date=13 August 2010|isbn=9781423429517|last1=Warner|first1=Jay|year=2008}}</ref> and country (eight weeks) albums charts.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} ''If You Love Me, Let Me Know''{{'s}} [[If You Love Me (Let Me Know)|title track]] was its first single and reached No. 5 Pop, No. 2 Country<ref name="books.google.com" /> (her highest-peaking song on the chart) and No. 2 AC. The next single, "[[I Honestly Love You]]", became Newton-John's signature song. Written and composed by [[Jeff Barry]] and [[Peter Allen (musician)|Peter Allen]],<ref name="google1" /> the ballad became her first Pop number-one (staying there for two weeks), second AC number-one (for three weeks) and third top-10 Country (No. 6) hit and earned Newton-John two more [[Grammy Awards|Grammys]] for Record of the Year<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=iAzZZI-jQv4C&q=%22olivia+newton%22&pg=PA4|title=At the Grammys!: Behind the Scenes at Music's Biggest Night|access-date=13 August 2010|isbn=9781423430735|last1=Ehrlich|first1=Ken|year=2007|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation }}</ref> and Best Pop Vocal Performance – Female. In her 2018 autobiography, ''Don't Stop Believin','' Newton-John describes "I Honestly Love You" as a song which is "so simple, with a meaning that was deeper than the ocean".<ref name=":2" /> In 1974, she received the (BCMA) British Country Music Association Award for "Female Vocalist of the Year" in London, England.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scontent.fymq2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/298279762_1469442160151054_2785928511334936734_n.jpg?ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=-pFFyav7qBoAX9xP1k8&_nc_ht=scontent.fymq2-1.fna&oh=00_AT9OtR5YVgcvjNKTnByH7D3FKGnQlutX4r5DAsCk1p7mxg&oe=631B6FB3|title=George Hamilton IV Presenting Olivia Newton-John the (BCMA) British Country Music Association Award|access-date=5 September 2022|archive-date=5 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905171603/https://scontent.fymq2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/298279762_1469442160151054_2785928511334936734_n.jpg?ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=-pFFyav7qBoAX9xP1k8&_nc_ht=scontent.fymq2-1.fna&oh=00_AT9OtR5YVgcvjNKTnByH7D3FKGnQlutX4r5DAsCk1p7mxg&oe=631B6FB3|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Aankomst zangeres Olivia Newton John op Schiphol Olivia Newton John in de persk, Bestanddeelnr 930-0132 (cropped).jpg|thumb|219x219px|Newton-John in 1978]]
In the United States, Newton-John's success in [[country music]] sparked a debate among purists, who took issue with a foreigner singing country-flavoured pop music being classed with native Nashville artists.<ref name="autogenerated2" /> In addition to her Grammy for "Let Me Be There", in 1974 Newton-John was also named the [[Country Music Association]] Female Vocalist of the Year, a designation which made her the first British singer to have won the award;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://calendar.songfacts.com/october/14/18888|title=Olivia Newton-John Conquers Country – October 14, 1974|website=calendar.songfacts.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cmaawards.com/past-winners-and-nominees/|title=CMA Awards Past Winners & Nominees|website=CMA Awards 2022 &#124; Wednesday, 9 Nov at 8/7c on ABC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.infoplease.com/awards/music/country-music-association-awards|title=Country Music Association Awards|website=www.infoplease.com}}</ref> and the title also meant she defeated more established Nashville-based nominees [[Loretta Lynn]], [[Dolly Parton]] and [[Tanya Tucker]], as well as Canadian artist [[Anne Murray]].<ref name="google1"/>

This protest by country music participants led to the formation of the short-lived Association of Country Entertainers (ACE).<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Williams|first=Bill|title=50 Country Dissidents Organize New Assn., See Threat to CMA|magazine=Billboard|pages=3, 48|date=23 November 1973|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eQkEAAAAMBAJ&q=ace+olivia+cma&pg=PT61|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref> Newton-John was eventually supported by the country music community. [[Stella Parton]], Dolly's sister, recorded "[[Ode to Olivia]]" and Newton-John recorded her 1976 album, ''[[Don't Stop Believin' (Olivia Newton-John album)|Don't Stop Believin'<nowiki/>]]'', in [[Nashville, Tennessee]].<ref name="google1"/>

=== 1975–1977: ''Have You Never Been Mellow'', ''Clearly Love'', and continued success ===
Encouraged by expatriate Australian singer [[Helen Reddy]], Newton-John left the UK and moved to the US. Newton-John topped the Pop (one week) and Country (six weeks) albums charts with her next album, ''[[Have You Never Been Mellow]]''. For 45 years, Olivia held the [[Guinness World Record]] for the shortest gap (154 days) by a female between new Number 1 albums (''If You Love Me, Let Me Know > Have You Never Been Mellow'') on the US Billboard 200 album charts until [[Taylor Swift]] in 2020 (140 days with ''[[Folklore (Taylor Swift album)|folklore]] > [[Evermore (Taylor Swift album)|evermore]]'').<ref>{{cite web |title=Shortest gap between new No.1 albums on the US Billboard 200 (female) |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/646321-shortest-gap-between-new-no-1-albums-on-the-us-billboard-200-female |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=Guinness World Records |date=26 December 2020 |language=en-gb}}</ref>

The ''Have You Never Been Mellow'' album generated two singles – the [[John Farrar]]-penned [[Have You Never Been Mellow (song)|title track]] (No. 1 Pop, No. 3 Country,<ref name="ReferenceB" /> No. 1 AC)<ref name="google2">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7Mo7xm-X1r4C&q=%22olivia+newton%22&pg=PA335|title=All music guide to country: the ...|access-date=13 August 2010|isbn=9780879304751|last1=Erlewine|first1=Michael|year=1997|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation }}</ref> and "[[Please Mr. Please]]" (No. 3 Pop, No. 5 Country, No. 1 AC).<ref name="google2" />

Her pop career cooled with the release of her next album, ''[[Clearly Love]]''. Her streak of five consecutive gold top 10 singles on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] ended when the album's first single, "[[Something Better to Do]]", stopped at No. 13 (also No. 19 Country and No. 1 AC). Her albums still achieved gold status, and she returned to the top ten of the Hot 100 and [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] charts again in 1978.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Grein |first1=Paul |title=Forever No. 1: John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John's 'You're the One That I Want' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/john-travolta-olivia-newton-john-youre-the-one-that-i-want-grease-forever-number-one-1235124831/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=11 August 2022 |date=10 August 2022}}</ref>

Newton-John's singles continued to top the AC chart, where she amassed ten No. 1 singles, including a record seven consecutively:<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Jonathan |title=Olivia Newton-John, 'Grease' Star and 'Physical' Singer, Dies at 73 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/olivia-newton-john-grease-star-194541872.html |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]] |access-date=11 August 2022 |date=8 August 2022}}</ref>
* "[[I Honestly Love You]]" (1974) – 3 weeks
* "[[Have You Never Been Mellow (song)|Have You Never Been Mellow]]" (1975) – 1 week
* "[[Please Mr. Please]]" (1975) – 3 weeks
* "[[Something Better to Do]]" (1975) – 3 weeks
* "[[Let It Shine (Linda Hargrove song)|Let It Shine]]"/"[[He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother]]" (1976) – 2 weeks
* "[[Come on Over (1976 song)|Come on Over]]" (1976) – 1 week
* "[[Don't Stop Believin' (Olivia Newton-John song)|Don't Stop Believin']]" (1976) – 1 week

She provided a prominent, but uncredited, vocal on [[John Denver]]'s "[[Fly Away (John Denver song)|Fly Away]]" single, which was succeeded by her own single, "[[Let It Shine (Linda Hargrove song)|Let It Shine]]"/"[[He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother]]", at No. 1 on the AC chart. ("[[Fly Away (John Denver song)|Fly Away]]" returned to No. 1 after the two-week reign of "[[Let It Shine (Linda Hargrove song)|Let It Shine]]".) In December 1975, she appeared on the ABC special ''John Denver - A Rocky Mountain Christmas'', where she performed the duet of "[[Fly Away (John Denver song)|Fly Away]]" with John, as well as "[[Let It Shine (Linda Hargrove song)|Let It Shine]]". Newton-John also continued to reach the Country top 10 where she tallied seven top-10 singles through 1976's "[[Come on Over (1976 song)|Come on Over]]" (No. 23 Pop, No. 5 Country,<ref name="ReferenceB" /> No. 1 AC) (from the same-titled [[Come On Over (Olivia Newton-John album)|album)]] and six consecutive (of a career nine total) top-10 albums through 1976's ''[[Don't Stop Believin' (Olivia Newton-John album)|Don't Stop Believin'<nowiki/>]]'' (No. 30 Pop, No. 7 Country).<ref name="ReferenceB" /> She headlined her first US television special, ''A Special Olivia Newton-John'', in November 1976.<ref name="google1"/>

In 1977, the single "[[Sam (Olivia Newton-John song)|Sam]]", a mid-tempo [[waltz]] from ''Don't Stop Believin{{`}}'', returned her to the No. 1 spot on the AC (No. 40 Country) and also reached No. 20 Pop, her highest chart placement since "Something Better to Do". By mid-1977, Newton-John's pop, AC, and country success all suffered a slight blow. Her ''[[Making a Good Thing Better]]'' album (No. 34 Pop, No. 13 Country) was not certified gold, and its only single, the title track (No. 87 Pop, No. 20 AC), did not reach the AC top 10 or the Country chart. Later that year, ''[[Olivia Newton-John's Greatest Hits]]'' (No. 13 Pop, No. 7 Country) became her first [[platinum album]].<ref>{{cite web |title='Our Livvy' remembered: The beautiful life of Olivia Newton-John |url=https://7news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/australian-singing-legend-and-grease-star-olivia-newton-john-dies-aged-73--c-7713317 |website=7NEWS |access-date=11 August 2022 |language=en |date=8 August 2022}}</ref>

Newton-John was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the [[1979 New Year Honours]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/47724/supplement/34/data.pdf|title=SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE|date=30 December 1978|website=Thegazette.co.uk|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> and [[Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (DBE) in the [[2020 New Year Honours]] for services to charity, cancer research, and entertainment.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=62866|supp=y|page=N8|date=28 December 2019}}</ref>

===1978–1979: ''Grease'' and ''Totally Hot''===
[[File:John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.jpg|thumb|upright|Newton-John appearing with [[John Travolta]] in 1982|left]]
In 1978, Newton-John's career soared after she starred as Sandy in the [[Grease (film)|film adaptation]] of the Broadway musical ''[[Grease (musical)|Grease.]]'' She was offered the role after meeting producer [[Allan Carr]] at a dinner party at [[Helen Reddy]]'s home.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> Disillusioned by her ''[[Toomorrow (film)|Toomorrow]]'' experience and concerned that she was too old to play a high school senior (she was 28 during the filming of ''Grease''), Newton-John insisted on a [[screen test]] with the film's co-lead, [[John Travolta]].<ref name="autogenerated1" /> Newton-John previewed some of the film's soundtrack during her second American network television special, ''Olivia'', featuring guests [[ABBA]] and [[Andy Gibb]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=your&p=182&item=B:88509 |title=Olivia |website=The Paley Center for Media |access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref>

''[[Grease (film)|Grease]]'' became the biggest box-office hit of 1978.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/chart/boxoffice|title=IMDb Top Box Office|publisher=IMDb}}</ref> [[Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture|The soundtrack album]] spent 12 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1 and yielded three Top 5 singles for Newton-John: the platinum "[[You're the One That I Want]]" (No. 1 Pop, No. 23 AC) with John Travolta, the gold "[[Hopelessly Devoted to You]]" (No. 3 Pop, No. 20 Country, No. 7 AC) and the gold "[[Summer Nights (John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John song)|Summer Nights]]" (No. 5 Pop, No. 21 AC) with John Travolta and the film's cast. Newton-John became the second woman (after [[Linda Ronstadt]] in 1977) to have two singles—"Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Summer Nights"—in the ''Billboard'' top 5 simultaneously.<ref name="google1" /> The soundtrack is one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 15 best-selling movie soundtracks of all time |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/15-best-selling-movie-soundtracks-all-time-2016-9/#15-the-song-remains-the-same-1976--led-zeppelin-1 |access-date=5 July 2017 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> In June 2006, Newton-John's company ON-J Productions Ltd filed a lawsuit against [[Universal Music Group]] (UMG) for $1&nbsp;million in unpaid royalties from the ''Grease'' soundtrack.<ref>[http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-12-05-newton-john-suit_x.htm "Newton-John sues over 'Grease' album"]. ''USA Today''. (5 December 2006).</ref> In 2007, it was announced that she and UMG had reached a "conditional settlement".<ref>{{cite news |date=4 December 2007 |title=Olivia Newton-John Reaches Conditional Settlement Over 'Grease' Royalties |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-olivia-newton-john-reaches-conditional-settlement-2007dec04-story.html |access-date=23 December 2016 |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune}}</ref>

Newton-John's performance earned her a [[People's Choice Award]] for Favourite Film Actress. She was nominated for a [[Golden Globe]] as Best Actress in a Musical and performed the Oscar-nominated "Hopelessly Devoted to You" at the 1979 [[Academy Awards]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Olivia Newton-John as Sandy Olsson – The Cast of 'Grease,' Then and Now |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/grease-cast-now-movie-turns-40-1084136/item/olivia-newton-john-sandy-olsson-1084128 |access-date=28 August 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> The film's popularity has endured. It was re-released for its 20th anniversary in 1998<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fQ4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA88|title=Billboard|date=30 May 1998|access-date=13 August 2010}}</ref> and ranked as the second highest-grossing film behind ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]'' in its opening weekend.<ref>[https://boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=1998&wknd=13&p=.htm Box Office Weekend, 27–29 March 1998], Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 6 February 2013.</ref> Following her death in August 2022, AMC announced that the picture would reappear in some of its cinemas over the weekend and that a portion of the proceeds would go to breast cancer research.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=McClintock |first1=Pamela |date=18 August 2022 |title='Grease' Returning to AMC Theatres in Tribute to Olivia Newton-John |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/grease-returning-theaters-olivia-newton-john-1235201926/ |access-date=19 August 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

In November 1978, she released her next studio album, ''[[Totally Hot]]'', which became her first solo top-10 (No. 7) album since ''Have You Never Been Mellow''. Dressed on the cover all in leather, Newton-John capitalised on her character's look that was introduced at the end of ''Grease;'' moreover, ''Totally Hot''<nowiki/>'s singles—"[[A Little More Love (Olivia Newton-John song)|A Little More Love]]" (No. 3 Pop, No. 94 Country, No. 4 AC), "[[Deeper Than the Night]]" (No. 11 Pop, No. 87 Country, No. 4 AC), and the title track (No. 52 Pop)—all demonstrated a more aggressive and uptempo sound for Newton-John.<ref name="google3">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7Mo7xm-X1r4C&q=%22olivia+newton%22&pg=PA334|title=All Music Guide to Country: The ...|access-date=13 August 2010|isbn=9780879304751|last1=Erlewine|first1=Michael|year=1997|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation }}</ref> Although the album de-emphasised the country sound, the LP still reached No. 4 on the Country Albums chart. Newton-John released the B-side, "Dancin' 'Round and 'Round", of the "Totally Hot" single to Country radio. The entry peaked at No. 29<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eKicir5sZr4C&pg=PA461|title=The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits|isbn=9780823082919|access-date=13 August 2010|last1=Whitburn|first1=Joel|year=2006|publisher=Billboard Books }}</ref> (as well as No. 82 Pop and No. 25 AC), and it became her last charted solo Country airplay single.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.countryuniverse.net/2018/07/12/an-olivia-newton-john-retrospective-part-six-1978/ |title=An Olivia Newton-John Retrospective, Part Six: 1978 |website=Country Universe |date=12 July 2018 |access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref>

Newton-John cancelled a 1978 concert tour of Japan to protest the slaughter of dolphins caught in tuna fishing nets. She subsequently rescheduled the tour when the Japanese government assured her that the practice was being curbed.<ref name="PopMattersPhysical">{{cite web |date=22 October 2018 |title=Making Her Move: Olivia Newton-John's 'Physical' Phenomenon Revisited |url=https://www.popmatters.com/olivia-newton-john-physical-2613720727.html |access-date=29 August 2019 |website=[[PopMatters]]}}</ref> In honor of dolphins, in 1981 she also composed and recorded the song "The Promise (the Dolphin Song)" on the ''Physical'' album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gachman |first=Dina |date=14 September 2020 |title=I Think About Olivia Newton-John's 'Dolphin Song' a Lot |url=https://www.thecut.com/article/i-think-about-olivia-newton-johns-dolphin-song-a-lot.html |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=The Cut |language=en}}</ref>

She was a performer on the 1979 ''[[Music for UNICEF Concert]]'' for the UN's [[International Year of the Child]] televised worldwide. During the concert, artists performed songs for which they donated their royalties, some in perpetuity, to benefit the cause.

====Lawsuit against MCA Records====
In April 1975, Newton-John and [[MCA Records|MCA]] entered into an initial two-year, four-album deal in which she was expected to deliver two LPs a year for the record company. MCA also had the option of extending the contract for six more records and three more years; and if the artist did not deliver on time, MCA was allegedly allowed to lengthen the term of the contract.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Stahl |first=Matt |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aPaXqeXEA1wC&q=Newton-JOhn+1978+lawsuit+MCA+Records&pg=PA123 |title=Unfree Masters: Popular Music and the Politics of Work |date=2013 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=9780822353430}}</ref>

Per her new agreement with MCA, Newton-John's first three albums, beginning with ''[[Clearly Love]]'', came out on schedule. Her fourth, ''[[Making a Good Thing Better]]'', was late. This delay occurred around the same time she was working on ''[[Grease (film)|Grease]]'' for [[RSO Records]], and the postponement arguably gave MCA—which seemed to want to keep its hold on the performer—the right to exercise its option, extend its contract, and stop her from signing with another enterprise. She also did not deliver a "newly optioned" album.<ref>{{cite web |title=MCA Records, Inc. v. Newton-John (1979) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/california/court-of-appeal/3d/90/18.html |access-date=30 August 2019 |website=Justia Law}}</ref>

On 31 May 1978, Newton-John and MCA each filed breach-of-contract actions against the other. Newton-John sued for $10 million and claimed that MCA's failure to adequately promote and advertise her product freed her from their agreement. MCA's countersuit requested $1 million in damages and an injunction against Newton-John working with another music firm.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Fong-Torres |first1=Ben |date=27 July 1978 |title=Olivia Newton-John Battles Back |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/olivia-newton-john-battles-back-240738/ |access-date=30 August 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>

Ultimately, Newton-John was forbidden from offering her recording services to another label until the five-year pact had run its course. The original covenant was not automatically extended, though she had not duly supplied the total sum of vinyls indicated in the contract.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Knoedelseder |first1=William Jr. |date=18 August 1985 |title='Free' Records Cause Discord With Artists |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-08-18-fi-1709-story.html |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

As a result of the lawsuit, record companies changed their contracts to be based on the number of albums recorded by a musician and not a specific number of years.<ref>{{cite web |date=25 August 2017 |title=How a Rock Band's Lawsuit Could Upend Record Deals Everywhere |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/how-a-rock-bands-lawsuit-could-upend-record-deals-everywhere-1031489 |access-date=30 August 2019 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>

=== 1980–1988: ''Physical'', ''Soul Kiss'', and ''The Rumour'' ===
[[File:Royal Charity Concert 1980 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Newton-John meeting [[Queen Elizabeth II]] and [[Prince Philip]] at a Sydney concert in 1980; with her there are also [[Roger Woodward]] and [[Paul Hogan]] (in shorts)]]
Newton-John began 1980 by releasing "[[I Can't Help It (Andy Gibb song)|I Can't Help It]]" (No. 12 Pop, No. 8 AC), a duet with [[Andy Gibb]] from his ''[[After Dark (Andy Gibb album)|After Dark]]'' album, and by starring in her third television special, ''Hollywood Nights''. Later that year, she appeared in her first film since ''Grease'' when she starred with [[Gene Kelly]] and [[Michael Beck]] in the musical fantasy ''[[Xanadu (film)|Xanadu]]''. Although the film was a critical failure, [[Xanadu (soundtrack)|its soundtrack]] (No. 4 Pop) was certified double platinum and scored five top 20 singles on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="google4">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgGqNrqfrsoC&q=%22olivia+newton%22&pg=PT499|title=The Billboard book of number 1 hits|isbn=9780823076772|access-date=13 August 2010|last1=Bronson|first1=Fred|year=2003|publisher=Billboard Books }}</ref> Newton-John charted with "[[Magic (Olivia Newton-John song)|Magic]]" (No. 1 Pop, No. 1 AC), "[[Suddenly (Xanadu song)|Suddenly]]" with [[Cliff Richard]] (No. 20 Pop, No. 4 AC) and the title song "[[Xanadu (Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra song)|Xanadu]]" with the [[Electric Light Orchestra]] (No. 8 Pop, No. 2 AC). [ELO also charted with "I'm Alive" (No. 16 Pop, No. 48 AC) and "All Over the World" (No. 13 Pop, No. 46 AC).]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.countryuniverse.net/2018/07/19/an-olivia-newton-john-retrospective-part-seven-1979-1980/ |title=An Olivia Newton-John Retrospective, Part Seven: 1979–1980 |website=Country Universe |date=19 July 2018 |access-date=2 March 2020}}</ref>

"Magic" was Newton-John's biggest pop hit to that point (four weeks at No. 1)<ref name="google4" /> and still ranks as the biggest AC hit of her career (five weeks at No. 1). The film ''Xanadu'' has since become a cult classic and the basis for a [[Xanadu (musical)|Broadway show]] that ran for more than 500 performances beginning in 2007 and was nominated for four [[Tony Awards]] including Best Musical.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadway.com/Xanadu-Moves-Up-Broadway-Closing-Date-to-928/broadway_news/571564|title=Xanadu Moves Up Broadway Closing Date to 9/28|publisher=Broadway.com|date=23 September 2008|access-date=10 November 2008}}</ref>

In 1981, Newton-John released her most successful studio album, the double platinum ''[[Physical (Olivia Newton-John album)|Physical]]'', which strongly reinforced her image change by showcasing risqué, rock-oriented material. Newton-John explained: "I just wasn't in the mood for tender ballads. I wanted peppy stuff because that's how I'm feeling."<ref name="PeoplePhysical">{{cite web |title=Olivia Gets Physical |url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-olivia-gets-physical-vol-17-no-6/ |access-date=29 August 2019 |website=People}}</ref> Of the title cut, Newton-John said: "[[Roger Davies (manager)|Roger Davies]] was my manager at the time; he played it for me and I knew it was a very catchy song."<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/2017/04/13/olivia-newton-john-physical-interview/|title=What Made Olivia Newton-John 'Horrified' About 'Physical'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|language=en|access-date=6 September 2019}}</ref> [[Physical (Olivia Newton-John song)|The title track]], written by [[Steve Kipner]] and Terry Shaddick, spent ten weeks atop the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="people1">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-olivia-gets-physical-vol-17-no-6/|title=Olivia Gets Physical|website=People|first=Carl|last=Arrington|date=15 February 1982|access-date=10 November 2008}}</ref> This matched the record at that time held by [[Debby Boone]]'s "[[You Light Up My Life (song)|You Light Up My Life]]" for most weeks spent at No. 1 on the Hot 100. The single was certified platinum, and it ultimately ranked as the biggest song of the decade. (In 2008, ''Billboard'' ranked the song No. 6 among all songs that charted in the 50-year history of the Hot 100.)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-10.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913205945/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top100-titles-10.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 September 2008|title=Billboard Hot 100 Chat 50th Anniversary – All-Time Top Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=10 November 2008}}</ref>

"Physical" earned Newton-John her only placement ever on the R&B Singles (No. 28) and Albums (No. 32) charts. The ''Physical'' album spawned two more singles, "[[Make a Move on Me]]" (No. 5 Pop, No. 6 AC)<ref name="google5">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgGqNrqfrsoC&q=%22olivia+newton%22&pg=PT499 |title=The Billboard book of number 1 hits|isbn=9780823076772|access-date=13 August 2010|last1=Bronson|first1=Fred|year=2003|publisher=Billboard Books }}</ref> and "Landslide" (No. 52 Pop).<ref>{{cite web |title=Landslide – Chart |url=https://billboard.elpee.jp/single/Landslide/Olivia%20Newton-John/ |website=Billboard Database |access-date=11 August 2022}}</ref>
[[File:Olivia Newton-John 1988b.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.81|Newton-John at the opening of a Koala Blue store in 1988]]
The provocative lyrics of the "Physical" title track prompted two [[Utah]] radio stations to ban the single from their playlists.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Cannon|first=Bob|url=https://ew.com/article/1993/11/19/olivia-gets-physical/|title=Olivia Gets 'Physical'|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=19 November 1993|access-date=13 August 2010|archive-date=8 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908020736/http://www.ew.com/article/1993/11/19/olivia-gets-physical|url-status=dead}}</ref> (In 2010, [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'' magazine]] ranked this as the most popular single ever about sex.)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61B5H620100213|work=Reuters|title=Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" sexiest song ever|date=13 February 2010}}</ref> To counter its overtly suggestive tone, Newton-John filmed an exercise-themed video that turned the song into an [[aerobics]] anthem and made [[headbands]] a fashion accessory outside the gym.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top50-no1s-80s.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908202615/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/specials/hot100/charts/top50-no1s-80s.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 September 2008|title=Billboard Hot 100 Chart 50th Anniversary – Songs of the Year 1980 to 1989|magazine=Billboard|access-date=10 November 2008}}</ref>

She helped pioneer the music video industry by recording a [[Olivia Physical|video album]] for ''Physical'', featuring videos of all the album's tracks and three of her older hits. The video album earned her a fourth Grammy and was aired as an ABC prime-time special, ''Let's Get Physical'',<ref name="people1" /> becoming a top-10 [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen]] hit. Newton-John asserted: "Like everyone, I've got different sides of my personality. I've my dominant self, my need-to-be-dominated self, the sane Olivia and the crazy Olivia. Playing these different characters gave me a chance to show strange parts people haven't seen much."<ref name="PeoplePhysical" />

The success of ''Physical'' led to an international tour and the release of her second hits collection, the double-platinum ''[[Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 2]]'' (No. 16 Pop), which yielded two more top-40 singles: "[[Heart Attack (Olivia Newton-John song)|Heart Attack]]" (No. 3 Pop)<ref name="google5" /> and "Tied Up" (No. 38 Pop). The tour was filmed for her ''Olivia in Concert'' television special, which premiered on [[HBO]] in January 1983. The special was subsequently released to video, earning Newton-John another Grammy nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/olivia-newton-john |title=26th Annual Grammy Awards 1983, Nominations, Best Video Album, Olivia in Concert (Video) |website=Recording Academy Grammy Awards |access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref>

Newton-John reteamed with Travolta in 1983 for the critically and commercially unsuccessful movie ''[[Two of a Kind (1983 film)|Two of a Kind]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://people.com/archive/cover-story-animal-magnetism-vol-20-no-25/|title=Animal Magnetism|website=People|first=Carl|last=Arrington|date=19 October 1983|access-date=10 November 2008}}</ref> redeemed by its platinum soundtrack (No. 26 Pop) featuring "[[Twist of Fate (Olivia Newton-John song)|Twist of Fate]]" (No. 5 Pop),<ref name="google5" /> "[[Livin' in Desperate Times]]" (No. 31 Pop), and a new duet with Travolta, "[[Take a Chance (Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta song)|Take a Chance]]" (No. 3 AC). Newton-John released another video package, the Grammy-nominated ''Twist of Fate'', featuring videos of her four songs on the ''Two of a Kind'' soundtrack and the two new singles from ''Olivia's Greatest Hits Vol. 2''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/olivia-newton-john |title=27th Annual Grammy Awards 1984, Nominations, Best Video, Twist of Fate (Video) |website=Recording Academy Grammy Awards |access-date=3 March 2020}}</ref>

That same year Newton-John and Pat Farrar (formerly Pat Carroll) founded Koala Blue.<ref name="koala" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1987-04-13/features/8701240363_1_koala-blue-pat-farrar-olivia-newton-john|title=Olivia Newton-John: Hopelessly Devoted|website=Sun-Sentinel|date=13 April 1987|access-date=31 December 2011|archive-date=30 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630170216/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1987-04-13/features/8701240363_1_koala-blue-pat-farrar-olivia-newton-john|url-status=dead}}</ref> The store, originally for Australian imports, evolved into a chain of women's clothing boutiques.<ref name="koala" /> The chain was initially successful, but it eventually declared bankruptcy and closed in 1992.<ref name="koala">{{cite magazine|last=Maier|first=Anne|date=19 August 1991|title=Losing Their Shirts with Olivia|url=http://people.com/archive/losing-their-shirts-with-olivia-vol-36-no-6|magazine=People|volume=36|issue=6|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Olivia, Environmental Heartache - New Idea |url=https://www.onlyolivia.com/memorabilia/presscut/90s/91-04-06-au-new_idea-01.html |access-date=2 December 2023 |website=www.onlyolivia.com}}</ref> Newton-John and Farrar were the targets of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit when Koala Blue franchise holders alleged breach of contract and unfair competition; agreeing with a motion citing insufficient evidence, a judge dismissed the case on summary judgment in 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suit against Newton-John thrown out – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/10/04/Suit-against-Newton-John-thrown-out/6105749707200/ |access-date=13 March 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> Newton-John and Farrar later licensed the brand name for a line of Australian wines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winemagazine |url=https://www.onlyolivia.com/memorabilia/presscut/00s/02-06-01-au-winemagazine-1.html |access-date=13 March 2023 |website=www.onlyolivia.com}}</ref>

[[File:Olivia Newton John (2084572536) (cropped 2).jpg|thumb|upright|Newton-John at the 1989 [[Academy Awards]]]]
Newton-John, a supporter of [[Australian rules football]] [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]], performed the [[Advance Australia Fair|Australian national anthem]] at the [[1986 VFL Grand Final]] between Carlton and [[Hawthorn Football Club|Hawthorn]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Beveridge|first1=Riley|title=Your AFL club's most famous supporters, from Barack Obama to Cam Newton|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/your-afl-clubs-most-famous-supporters-from-barack-obama-to-cam-newton/news-story/03eb54659866d587cf9c2cc4b9f3d8c5|work=[[Fox Sports]]|date=29 January 2016|access-date=29 January 2016}}</ref>

Newton-John's music career cooled again with the release of her next studio album, the gold<ref name="soulkiss-gold">{{cite web |title=Gold & Platinum {{ndash}} SOUL KISS |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Olivia+Newton-John&ti=Soul+Kiss&format=Album&type=# |website=RIAA |access-date=14 August 2022}}</ref> ''[[Soul Kiss]]'' (No. 29 Pop),<ref name="soulkiss-billboard200">{{cite web |title=Billboard 200 {{ndash}} Week of 23 November 1985 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1985-11-20/ |work=[[Billboard charts|Billboard]] |access-date=14 August 2022}}</ref> in 1985.<ref name="soulkiss-allmusic">{{cite web |title=Olivia Newton-John – Soul Kiss |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-kiss-mw0000191196 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=14 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The album's only charted single was the title track (No. 20 Pop, No. 20 AC).<ref name="soulkiss-allmusic"/> The video album for ''Soul Kiss'' featured only five of the album's ten tracks (concept videos for the album's singles "Soul Kiss" and "Toughen Up" as well as performance videos of the tracks "Culture Shock", "Emotional Tangle" and "The Right Moment").<ref name="soulkiss-video">{{cite web |title=Olivia Newton-John – Soul Kiss [Video] |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-kiss-video--mw0001070246?1660504852697 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=14 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

After a nearly three-year hiatus following the birth of her daughter Chloe in January 1986, Newton-John resumed her recording career with the 1988 album ''[[The Rumour (album)|The Rumour]]''. The album was promoted by an HBO special, ''Olivia Down Under''. Its first single, the title track, was written and produced by [[Elton John]]. Both the single (No. 62 Pop, No. 33 AC) and the album (No. 67 Pop) faltered commercially<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CieMGEblw6kC&q=%22olivia+newton%22&pg=PT225|title=His Song: The Musical Journey of...|isbn=9780823088928|access-date=13 August 2010|last1=Rosenthal|first1=Elizabeth J.|date=March 2004|publisher=Watson-Guptill Publications, Incorporated }}</ref> as the nearly 40-year-old Newton-John seemed "old" when compared with the teen queens [[Debbie Gibson]] and [[Tiffany Darwish|Tiffany]] ruling the pop charts at that time. (The album was praised by critics as more mature, with Newton-John addressing topics such as [[HIV/AIDS|AIDS]] ("Love and Let Live"), the environment and single-parent households.)<ref name="Eddy1997">{{cite book |last1=Eddy |first1=Chuck |title=The Accidental Evolution Of Rock'n'roll: A Misguided Tour Through Popular Music |date=1997 |publisher=Hachette Books |isbn=978-0-306-80741-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N0488R7-hYUC&q=%22AIDS%20and%20ecosystem%22}}</ref>

The second single, "Can't We Talk It Over in Bed", did not chart, but was released in 1989 by [[Grayson Hugh]], the song's arranger, and became a top-20 pop hit as "Talk It Over".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mann |first1=Brent |title=99 red balloons: and 100 all-time great one-hit wonders |date=2003 |publisher=[[Citadel Press]] |location=New York City |isbn=9780806525167 |page=60 |url={{Google books|id=a2WgP8q0KNIC|page=PA60|plainurl=yes}}}}</ref>

===1989–1998: Motherhood, cancer, and advocacy===
In September 1989, Newton-John released her self-described "self-indulgent" album, ''[[Warm and Tender (Olivia Newton-John album)|Warm and Tender]]'', which reunited her with producer John Farrar, absent from her previous LP, and also marked a return to a more wholesome image. Inspired by her daughter, who appeared on the cover, the album featured [[lullabies]] and love songs for parents and their children.<ref name="google3" /> This album, the last one produced by Farrar, also failed to revive her recording career, as the disc reached only No. 124 Pop.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coyne |first1=Kevin John |title=An Olivia Newton-John Retrospective, Part Ten: 1987-1992 |url=http://www.countryuniverse.net/2018/08/28/an-olivia-newton-john-retrospective-part-ten-1987-1992/ |website=Country Universe |access-date=11 August 2022 |date=28 August 2018}}</ref>

She was appointed a Goodwill ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme.

Newton-John's television work included starring in two Christmas films, ''A Mom for Christmas'' (1990) and ''A Christmas Romance'' (1994) – both top 10 Nielsen hits.

Newton-John was primed for another comeback in 1992 when she compiled her third hits collection, ''[[Back to Basics: The Essential Collection 1971–1992]]'', and planned her first tour since her ''Physical'' trek ten years earlier. Shortly after the album's release, Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer, forcing her to cancel all publicity for the album, including the tour. She received her diagnosis the same weekend her father died.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://people.com/archive/toughing-it-out-vol-38-no-5/|title=Toughing It Out|website=People|date=3 August 1992|access-date=10 November 2008}}</ref>

Newton-John recovered.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-victors-valiant-vol-50-no-15/|title=Victors Valiant|website=People|last1=Schindehette|first1=Susan|first2=Karen|last2=Schneider|first3=Anne-Marie|last3=O'Neill|date=26 October 1998|access-date=10 November 2008}}</ref> In 1991, she became the National Spokesperson for the Colette Chuda Environmental Fund/CHEC (Children's Health Environmental Coalition)<ref>{{cite web |title=Olivia Newton-John Dead at 73: The Star and Grease Icon Dies of Breast Cancer |url=https://people.com/music/olivia-newton-john-dead-age-73-breast-cancer/ |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=11 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref> following the death from [[Wilms' tumour]] of five-year-old Colette Chuda, daughter of Newton-John's friend Nancy Chuda.<ref>{{cite web |last=Roan |first=Shari |date=20 November 1994 |title=THE SUNDAY PROFILE : From the Pain, a Passion : James and Nancy Chuda lost their little girl to a rare cancer. Now they are on a mission to protect other children. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-11-20-ls-64871-story.html |access-date=9 August 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Later, Newton-John became an advocate for [[breast cancer]] research and other health issues. She was a product spokesperson for the Liv-Kit, a breast self-examination product, and also founded her own cancer centre in her home town in Australia.

Newton-John's cancer diagnosis also affected the type of music she recorded. In 1994, she released ''[[Gaia: One Woman's Journey]]'', which chronicled her ordeal. Co-produced by Newton-John for ONJ Productions, ''Gaia'' was originally issued by [[Festival Records|Festival]] in Australia but also distributed by various independent labels in Japan and Europe. In 2002, there was an American distribution by [[Hip-O Records]], and a subsequent re-release in 2012 by Green Hill featured an alternative cover photo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onlyolivia.com/music/albums/gaia.html|title=Gaia|website=onlyolivia.com|access-date=20 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onlyolivia.com/music/albums/gaia_us.html|title=Gaia – one woman's journey|website=onlyolivia.com|access-date=20 August 2019}}</ref> ''Gaia'' was the first album on which Newton-John wrote all the music and lyrics herself, and this endeavour encouraged her to become more active as a songwriter thereafter. The single "No Matter What You Do" entered the Australian top 40, and the second single, the environmentally themed "Don't Cut Me Down", was also used in the film ''[[It's My Party (film)|It's My Party]]'', a 1996 AIDS drama. The Latin-fuelled "Not Gonna Give into It" eventually became heavily showcased in concert performance; "The Way of Love" was featured in the telefilm ''[[A Christmas Romance]]'',<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OSuXAAAAQBAJ&dq=olivia+newton+john+christmas+romance+%22the+way+of+love%22&pg=PA128|title=The Christmas Encyclopedia, 3d ed.|first=William D.|last=Crump|date=28 August 2013|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9781476605739 |via=Google Books}}</ref> and "Trust Yourself" was incorporated into both the TV-movie ''The Wilde Girls''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2996512-Olivia-Newton-John-Trust-Yourself|title=Olivia Newton-John – Trust Yourself|year=1997 |via=www.discogs.com}}</ref> and the theatrical film ''[[Sordid Lives]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onlyolivia.com/music/albums/sordidlives.html|title=Olivia Newton-John: Sordid Lives|website=www.onlyolivia.com}}</ref>

Newton-John was listed as president of the [[Isle of Man]] [[Basking shark]] Society between 1998 and 2005.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Lloyd|first1=John|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hdtAAAAAQBAJ&q=%22Isle+of+Man%22+%22Basking+Shark+Society%22+olivia&pg=PR3|title=1227 Quite Interesting Facts to Blow Your Socks Off|last2=Mitchinson|first2=John|last3=Harkin|first3=James|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|year=2013|isbn=978-0-393-24103-7|location=New York, New York|page=265}}</ref>

===1998–2012: Later releases===
Newton-John continued to record and perform pop-oriented music as well. In 1998, she returned to [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] to record ''[[Back with a Heart]]'' (No. 59 Pop).<ref name="ReferenceC" /> The album returned her to the top 10 (No. 9) on the Country Albums chart. Its first single was a re-recording of "[[I Honestly Love You]]" produced by [[David Foster]] and featuring [[Babyface (musician)|Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds]] on background vocals<ref name="ReferenceC" /> that charted on the Pop (No. 67) and AC (No. 18) charts. Country radio dismissed the song, though it did peak at No. 16 on the Country Sales chart. The album track, "Love Is a Gift", won Newton-John a 1999 [[Daytime Emmy Award]] for Outstanding Original Song after being featured on the daytime serial, ''[[As the World Turns]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/profiles/people/main/34795/Olivia+Newton-John.html?dataSet=1 |title=Olivia Newton-John – Actor, Executive Producer, Song – Variety Profiles |work=Variety |access-date=10 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004160305/http://www.variety.com/profiles/people/main/34795/Olivia%2BNewton-John.html?dataSet=1 |archive-date=4 October 2008 }}</ref>

[[File:Olivia Newton-John and Stephan Elliott in 2012.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.81|Newton-John and [[Stephan Elliott]] at the premiere of ''[[A Few Best Men]]'' in Sydney, 2012]]
During October–December 1998, Newton-John, [[John Farnham]] and [[Anthony Warlow]] performed in The Main Event Tour.<ref name="The Main Event" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=583|title=Whammo Homepage|date=29 August 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040829235034/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=583|access-date=8 August 2019|archive-date=29 August 2004}}</ref> The album ''[[Highlights from The Main Event]]'' peaked at No. 1 in December,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=John+Farnham|title=australian-charts.com – Discography John Farnham|website=australian-charts.com|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref> was certified 4× platinum,<ref>{{cite certification|region=Australia|certyear=1998|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref> won an [[ARIA Music Awards|ARIA Award]] for Highest Selling Australian CD at the 1999 Awards<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=J&artist=John%20Farnham|title=ARIA Awards 2008: History: Winners by Artist|date=13 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213050252/http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=J&artist=John%20Farnham|access-date=8 August 2019|archive-date=13 February 2009}}</ref> and was also nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.aria.com.au/industry/news/aria-and-ppca-remember-olivia-newtown-john | title = ARIA and PPCA remember Olivia Newton-John | website = aria.com.au | access-date = 13 August 2022}}</ref>
For the [[2000 Summer Olympics]], Newton-John and Farnham re-teamed to perform "Dare to Dream" during the [[2000 Summer Olympics opening ceremony#Parade of Nations|Parade of Nations]] at the Opening Ceremony.<ref name="PeopleCoverStory">{{cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20132405,00.html|title=Showing Her Mettle – Olivia Newton-John Cover|work=People|first=Jill|last=Smolowe|date=25 September 2000|access-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> Broadcast of the ceremony was viewed by an estimated 3.5 billion people around the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4608188-1.html|title=Olympics Sparks Sales in Australia {{!}} Retail > Miscellaneous Retail from AllBusiness.com|date=27 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127081021/http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4608188-1.html|access-date=8 August 2019|archive-date=27 November 2007}}</ref>

In December 1998, following a hiatus of about 16 years, Newton-John also resumed touring by herself and in 2000 released a solo CD, ''[[One Woman's Live Journey]]'', her first live album since 1981's ''[[Love Performance]]''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Olivia Newton-John – One Woman's Live Journey |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/328496-Olivia-Newton-John-One-Womans-Live-Journey |language=en |access-date=15 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Olivia Newton-John – Back With A Heart |date=21 May 1998 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2776173-Olivia-Newton-John-Back-With-A-Heart |language=en |access-date=15 August 2022}}</ref>

In 2000, she appeared in a dramatically different role as Bitsy Mae Harling, a bisexual former-convict country singer, in [[Del Shores]]' ''[[Sordid Lives]]''.<ref name="PeopleCoverStory" /> Newton-John reprised her role for ''[[Sordid Lives: The Series]]'' which aired one season on the [[Logo TV|LOGO]] television network. The series featured five original songs written and composed by Newton-John specifically for the show.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 January 2008 |title=Gay channel Logo steps into Sordid realm |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN0954083620080109 |access-date=10 November 2008 |work=Reuters}}</ref> In 2000, she teamed with [[Vince Gill]] and the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] for ''{{'}}Tis the Season'' sold exclusively through Hallmark. The following year, she released ''The Christmas Collection'', which compiled seasonal music previously recorded for her Hallmark Christmas album, her appearance on [[Kenny Loggins]]' 1999 TNN Christmas special and her contributions to the ''Mother and Child'' and ''Spirit of Christmas'' multi-artist collections.

Newton-John's subsequent albums were released primarily in Australia. In 2002, she released ''[[2 (Olivia Newton-John album)|(2)]]'', a duets album featuring mostly Australian artists ([[Tina Arena]], [[Darren Hayes]], Jimmy Little, Johnny O'Keefe, Billy Thorpe and [[Keith Urban]]), as well as a "duet" with the deceased [[Peter Allen (musician)|Peter Allen]]. In addition, ''(2)'' offered a hidden 12th track, a samba version of "[[Physical (Olivia Newton-John song)|Physical]]" which Newton-John later performed occasionally in concert instead of the more rock-style original. The album's 2004 Japanese release includes the bonus track "Let It Be Me", a duet with Cliff Richard with whom she had previously been coupled on "Suddenly" and ''[[Songs from Heathcliff]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olivia Newton-John -> music -> albums -> (2) (Japanese version) |url=https://www.onlyolivia.com/music/albums/2_jp.html |access-date=15 August 2022 |website=www.onlyolivia.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Olivia Newton-John -> music -> albums -> (2) (Japanese version) |url=https://www.onlyolivia.com/music/albums/2_jp.html#:~:text=Olivia%27s%202002%20duet%20CD%20%222,%22Let%20It%20Be%20Me%22. |access-date=15 August 2022 |website=www.onlyolivia.com}}</ref>

In 2002, Newton-John was also inducted into Australia's [[ARIA Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.aria.com.au/industry/news/aria-and-ppca-remember-olivia-newtown-john|title = ARIA and PPCA remember Olivia Newton-John|website = [[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|date = 8 August 2022|accessdate = 10 August 2022}}</ref>

Produced by [[Phil Ramone]] and recorded at the Indigo Recording Studios in Malibu for ONJ Productions, ''[[Indigo: Women of Song]]'' was released in October 2004 in Australia. The tribute album featured Newton-John covering songs by artists such as [[Joan Baez]], [[the Carpenters]], [[Doris Day]], [[Nina Simone]] and [[Minnie Riperton]]. She dedicated the album to her mother, who had died the previous year of breast cancer.<ref>{{cite web|others=European Article Number (EAN) 4988005422279|title="For my beautiful mother Irene 1914–2003" (in CD insert)|url=http://www.pjlgroep.nl/03_downloads/covers/cd_audio_artiest/O/O/Olivia%20Newton-John/Olivia%20Newton-John%20-%20Indigo%20Women%20Of%20Song%20%5bbooklet06%20-%20jpn%5d.jpg|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212005718/http://www.pjlgroep.nl/03_downloads/covers/cd_audio_artiest/O/O/Olivia%20Newton-John/Olivia%20Newton-John%20-%20Indigo%20Women%20Of%20Song%20%5Bbooklet06%20-%20jpn%5D.jpg|archive-date=12 February 2021|access-date=|website=|type=CD}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=theawarenews |last2=theawarenews |date=1 September 2022 |title=Olivia Newton-John, singer and actress, dead at 73 |url=https://www.theawarenews.com/2022/09/01/olivia-newton-john-singer-and-actress-dead-at-73/ |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=The Aware News |language=en-US |archive-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908094453/https://www.theawarenews.com/2022/09/01/olivia-newton-john-singer-and-actress-dead-at-73/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Indigo'' was subsequently released in the UK in April 2005 and in Japan in March 2006. A rebranded and resequenced version called ''Portraits: A Tribute to Great Women of Song'' was eventually issued in the United States in 2011.

In 2005, she released ''[[Stronger Than Before]]'', sold exclusively in the United States by Hallmark. This was her second exclusive album for [[Hallmark Cards]] after her successful first Christmas album ''Tis the Season'' with [[Vince Gill]] five years earlier. Proceeds from the album's sales benefited breast cancer research. The album featured the song "Phenomenal Woman," based on the poem by [[Maya Angelou]], and guest vocals from [[Diahann Carroll]], [[Beth Nielsen Chapman]], [[Delta Goodrem]], [[Amy Holland]], [[Patti LaBelle]] and [[Mindy Smith]]—all survivors of or affected by cancer.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=21 August 2005 |title=Newton-John Records Angelou Poem For Breast Cancer |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/newton-john%20records%20angelou%20poem%20for%20breast%20cancer |access-date=10 November 2008 |magazine=Contactmusic.com}}</ref>

In 2006, Newton-John released a healing CD, ''[[Grace and Gratitude]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Marquez |first=Sandra |date=28 September 2006 |title=Olivia Newton-John Moves On |url=http://people.com/human-interest/olivia-newton-john-moves-on/ |access-date=10 February 2015 |work=People}}</ref> The album was sold exclusively by [[Walgreens]],<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KQ8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA75 |title=Billboard |date=28 October 2006 |access-date=13 August 2010}}</ref> also to benefit various charities including [[Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization]]. The CD was the "heart" of their ''Body{{snd}}Heart{{snd}}Spirit'' Wellness Collection, which also featured a re-branded Liv-Kit and breast-health dietary supplements.

In 2007, she re-teamed with her ''Grace and Gratitude'' producer, [[Amy Sky]], for ''Christmas Wish'' (No. 187 Pop) which was sold exclusively by [[Target Corporation|Target]] in its first year of release.<ref name="MacDonald2007">{{cite news |last1=MacDonald |first1=Patrick |date=22 November 2007 |title=New sounds for Christmas |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/new-sounds-for-christmas/ |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Newton-John released another concert DVD, ''Olivia Newton-John and the Sydney Symphony: [[Live at the Sydney Opera House (Olivia Newton-John album)|Live at the Sydney Opera House]]'' and a companion CD, her third live album titled ''Olivia's Live Hits''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olivia Newton-John and the Sydney Symphony – Olivia Newton-John &#124; Release Info |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/olivia-newton-john-and-the-sydney-symphony-mr0002626156 |website=AllMusic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Olivia Newton-John – Olivia's Hits Live Album Reviews, Songs & More &#124; AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/olivias-hits-live-mw0000580604 |via=www.allmusic.com}}</ref>

In 2008, she raised funds to help build the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in [[Melbourne]], Australia. She led a three-week, 228&nbsp;km walk along the [[Great Wall of China]] during April, joined by various celebrities and [[cancer survivor]]s throughout her trek.<ref>{{cite web |title=Great Walk to Beijing |url=http://www.greatwalktobeijing.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907080217/http://www.greatwalktobeijing.com/ |archive-date=7 September 2008 |access-date=7 September 2008}}</ref> She released a companion CD, ''A Celebration in Song'', the following month in Australia and later worldwide,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=6 January 2007 |title=Ask Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044856/ask-billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801171830/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044856/ask-billboard |archive-date=1 August 2008 |access-date=10 November 2008 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> featuring new and previously recorded duets by "Olivia Newton-John & Friends", including [[Jann Arden]], [[Jimmy Barnes]], [[John Farrar]], [[Barry Gibb]], [[Delta Goodrem]], [[Ho Yeow Sun|Sun Ho]], [[Richard Marx]], [[Cliff Richard]], [[Melinda Schneider]], [[Amy Sky]], and [[Keith Urban]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Olivia and friends release album to better cancer research |url=http://live.greatwalktobeijing.com/index.php?act=news&nID=47 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016100158/http://live.greatwalktobeijing.com/index.php?act=news&nID=47 |archive-date=16 October 2008 |access-date=10 November 2008 |publisher=Great Walk to Beijing.com}}</ref>

In 2008, Newton-John took part in the [[BBC Wales]] program ''[[Coming Home (British TV series)|Coming Home]]'' about her [[Welsh people|Welsh]] family history. Also, in 2008, Newton-John joined Anne Murray on Murray's last album, titled ''[[Anne Murray Duets: Friends & Legends|Duets: Friends & Legends]]''. She sang [[Gordon Lightfoot]]'s hit "[[Cotton Jenny]]" with Murray.<ref>{{cite news |date=23 November 2007 |title=Anne Murray partners with "Friends and Legends" |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/music-murray-dc-idUKN2333388120071123 |access-date=13 August 2022 |work=Reuters |location=Toronto}}</ref>

She re-recorded some tracks from ''Grace and Gratitude'' in 2010 and re-released the album as ''[[Grace and Gratitude|Grace and Gratitude Renewed]]'' on the Green Hill music label. The ''Renewed'' CD includes a new track, "Help Me to Heal", not featured on the original album.<ref>{{cite web |title=Green Hill Music-Grace And Gratitude Renewed |url=http://www.greenhillmusic.com/item/GHD5759_Grace+And+Gratitude+Renewed |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806173427/http://www.greenhillmusic.com/item/GHD5759_Grace+And+Gratitude+Renewed |archive-date=6 August 2010 |access-date=13 August 2010 |publisher=Greenhillmusic.com}}</ref>

Newton-John was featured in UniGlobe Entertainment's breast cancer docu-drama, ''[[1 a Minute]]'', released in October 2010.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Mcg – Indian Star Rallies Celebrity Support For Cancer Movie News |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/indian-star-rallies-celebrity-support-for-cancer-movie_1118440 |access-date=13 August 2010 |magazine=Contactmusic.com}}</ref> The documentary was made by actress [[Namrata Singh Gujral]] and featured other celebrities who had survived breast cancer or who were affected by the disease. During the same month, [[TidalWave Productions|Bluewater Productions]] released a comic book featuring Newton-John to coincide with [[Breast Cancer Awareness Month]].<ref>{{cite magazine |date=14 September 2009 |title=Justin Bieber Comic Book to Track His Rise to 'Fame' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957235/justin-bieber-comic-book-to-track-his-rise-to-fame |access-date=13 August 2010 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

In 2010, Newton-John starred in the film ''[[Score: A Hockey Musical]]'', released in Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoreahockeymusical.com/home|title=Score a Hockey Musical|publisher=Score a Hockey Musical|access-date=13 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824043524/http://www.scoreahockeymusical.com/home|archive-date=24 August 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> She portrayed Hope Gordon, the mother of a home-schooled hockey prodigy. The film opened the [[2010 Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://toronto.citynews.ca/2010/07/14/tiff-2010-scores-an-opening-night-film/|title=TIFF 2010 Scores An Opening Night Film|date=14 July 2010|access-date=28 January 2018|website=CityNews|last=McKechnie|first=Brian}}</ref>

Newton-John guest-starred as herself in the sitcoms ''[[Ned and Stacey]]'', ''[[Murphy Brown]]'' and ''[[Bette (TV series)|Bette]]'' and also made two appearances as herself on ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Semigran |first1=Aly |title='Glee' Recap: Episode 17, 'Bad Reputation' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2553163/glee-recap-bad-reputation/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019181940/http://www.mtv.com/news/2553163/glee-recap-bad-reputation/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 October 2021 |publisher=MTV News |access-date=19 October 2021 |date=5 May 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Olivia Newton-John Sydney 2008.jpg|thumb|upright=0.77|Newton-John, performing at the [[Sydney State Theatre]] in September 2008]]For her first ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'' appearance, Newton-John recreated her "Physical" video with series regular [[Jane Lynch]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Issa |first1=Natalie |title=Olivia Newton-John's most iconic pop culture moments |url=https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2022/8/9/23298307/olivia-newton-johns-most-iconic-pop-culture-moments |access-date=13 August 2022 |work=[[Deseret News]] |date=9 August 2022 |language=en |quote=Newton-John's film and TV appearances were scarce in the 2000s, but she did a make a rare guest appearance on the hit show "Glee." In Season 1, Episode 17, a video of Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) dancing along to "Physical" gets leaked and subsequently ridiculed. The video catches the attention of Newton-John, playing herself, who enlists Sue's help to recreate her iconic "Physical" music video. This guest appearance was a delight to fans, who loved seeing Newton-John recreating "Physical" after over 30 years.}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Herrera |first1=Monica |title=Olivia Newton-John Gets 'Physical' on 'Glee' with Sue Sylvester |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=5 May 2010 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/olivia-newton-john-gets-physical-on-glee-with-sue-sylvester-958352/ |access-date=13 August 2022}}</ref> The performance was released as a digital single which peaked at number 89 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://acharts.co/song/55072#stats|title=Physical by Glee Cast and Olivia Newton-John – Music Charts|website=acharts.co}}</ref> In Australia, Newton-John hosted the animal and nature series ''Wild Life''<ref>{{cite news |title=Tuned In to Olivia Newton-John |url=https://abc7chicago.com/archive/7391965/ |access-date=13 August 2022 |work=ABC7 Chicago |date=17 April 2010 |language=en |quote=Olivia's appeal seems to be timeless. With a career spanning more than four decades she is still a vibrant, creative individual that is adored by fans across the world. Throughout her career, the much-loved star, who danced with Gene Kelly in "Xanadu," hosted the popular internationally syndicated "Wild Life" television show, ....}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wild Life (1996) – The Screen Guide |url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/wild-life-1996/10260/ |website=www.screenaustralia.gov.au |publisher=[[Screen Australia]] |access-date=13 August 2022 |date=1996}}</ref> and guest-starred as Joanna on two episodes of the Australian series ''[[The Man from Snowy River (TV series)|The Man From Snowy River]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Snowy River: The McGregor Saga: Season 2, Episode 8 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/snowy_river_the_mcgregor_saga_1993/s02/e08 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=13 August 2022 |language=en |date=1995 |quote=Episode info: Someone tries to prevent Matt (Andrew Clarke) from helping Joanna find her long-lost father. Guest star: Olivia Newton-John.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Snowy River: The McGregor Saga: Season 2, Episode 9 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/snowy_river_the_mcgregor_saga_1993/s02/e09 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=13 August 2022 |language=en |date=1995 |quote=Episode info: Kathleen (Wendy Hughes) joins Joanna in the search for the half brother she never knew. Guest star: Olivia Newton-John.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Snowy River: The McGregor Saga: episode guide: Series 2 |url=http://www.australiantelevision.net/snowyriver/series2.html |website=www.australiantelevision.net |access-date=13 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2011, Newton-John began filming the comedy ''[[A Few Best Men]]'' in Australia with director [[Stephan Elliott]], in the role of mother of the bride. The groom is played by [[Xavier Samuel]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Olivia Newton-John's back, with a few good men|location=Melbourne, Australia|work=[[Herald Sun]]|date=14 January 2011|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/movies/olivia-newton-johns-back-with-a-few-good-men/story-e6frf9h6-1225987475798?from=public_rss|access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref>

=== 2012–2022: Vegas residency and final releases ===
Newton-John was actively touring and doing concerts from 2012 to 2017 and also performed a handful of shows in 2018.<ref name="Tour dates">[http://olivianewton-john.com/tour.html Tour dates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314084329/http://olivianewton-john.com/tour.html |date=14 March 2016 }} at her website</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bandsintown.com/en/a/48221-olivia-newton-john?came_from=251|title=Olivia Newton-John|website=Bandsintown|access-date=7 August 2019}}</ref> Her dates for [[A Summer Night with Olivia Newton-John]] even included stops in Asia and Canada and culminated in a rare concert appearance in London in 2013. Her March 2013 UK trek also encompassed Bournemouth, Brighton, Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff, Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a432637/olivia-newton-john-announces-40th-anniversary-uk-tour/|title=Olivia Newton-John announces 40th anniversary UK tour|website=digitalspy.com|date=23 October 2012 |access-date=14 August 2022}}</ref>

In November 2012, Newton-John teamed with John Travolta to make the charity album ''[[This Christmas (John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John album)|This Christmas]]'', in support of The Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre and the Jett Travolta Foundation. Artists featured on the album include: [[Barbra Streisand]], [[James Taylor]], [[Chick Corea]], [[Kenny G]], [[Tony Bennett]], [[Cliff Richard]] and the [[Count Basie Orchestra]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 October 2012 |title=Grease Reunion: John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John Team for Charity Christmas Album |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/350680/grease-reunion-john-travolta-and-olivia-newton-john-team-for-charity-christmas-album |access-date=14 August 2022 |website=E! Online}}</ref>

A 2013 residency at the [[Flamingo Las Vegas]] was postponed due to the May 2013 death of her elder sister, Rona (aged 72), from a brain tumour. Newton-John resumed performing, doing 45 shows beginning in April 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2013/apr/11/heart-attack-olivia-newton-john-heads-flamingo-spr|title=Heart attack! Olivia Newton-John heads to the Flamingo this spring|last1=Leach|first1=Robin|date=11 April 2013|website=[[Las Vegas Sun]]|access-date=8 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2013/05/olivia-newton-johns-sister-dies|title=Olivia Newton-John's Sister Dies|last1=Wilder|first1=Jessica|date=29 May 2013|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=8 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109040520/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2013/05/olivia-newton-johns-sister-dies/|archive-date=9 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/olivia-newton-john-to-begin-las-vegas-residency|title=Olivia Newton-John to begin Las Vegas residency|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=4 February 2014|publisher=[[CBS News]]|access-date=8 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pollstar.com/news_article.aspx?ID=809414|title=Olivia Newton-John Announces 'Summer Nights' Vegas Residency|last1=Smith|first1=Jay|date=4 February 2014|website=[[Pollstar]]|access-date=8 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222065340/http://www.pollstar.com/news_article.aspx?ID=809414|archive-date=22 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Along with the Vegas shows, Newton-John released a new EP in April 2014 entitled ''Hotel Sessions'', which consisted of seven tracks of unreleased demos that were recorded between 2002 and 2011 with her nephew [[Brett Goldsmith]]. The CD contains a cover of "Broken Wings" as well as the popular-with-fans original "Best of My Love", which had leaked on the internet many years prior.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.queerty.com/olivia-newton-john-is-still-the-one-we-want-20140406|title=Olivia Newton-John Is Still The One We Want|last=Slovacek|first=Randy|date=6 April 2014|website=queerty.com|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref>

Her Vegas stay was eventually extended beyond August 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2014/jul/09/olivia-newton-john-extends-run-flamingo/|title=Olivia Newton-John extends run at Flamingo|website=Las Vegas Magazine|access-date=7 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pollstar.com/article/olivia-newton-john-to-stay-at-flamingo-through-2015-37291|title=Olivia Newton-John To Stay At Flamingo Through 2015|website=pollstar.com|date=10 December 2014 |access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olivianewton-john.com/Flamingo_2016_announce.html|title=Olivia Newton-John Extends Residency at Flamingo Las Vegas Through 2016|website=olivianewton-john.com|access-date=11 August 2019|archive-date=11 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811020205/http://www.olivianewton-john.com/Flamingo_2016_announce.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and her [[Summer Nights (concert residency)|Summer Nights]] residency finished in December 2016 after 175 shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/olivia-newton-johns-three-year-flamingo-run-is-done/|title=Olivia Newton-John's three-year Flamingo run is done|date=6 March 2017|website=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref> Her successful three-year run even prompted a fourth live album, ''Summer Nights: Live in Las Vegas'' (2015). In 2015, Newton-John also reunited with John Farnham for a joint venture called ''[[Two Strong Hearts Live]]''.<ref name="Two Strong Hearts: Live In Concert">{{cite web |title=Two Strong Hearts: Live In Concert |url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/dvd-music-farnham-john-newton-john-olivi-two-strong-hearts-live-in-concert-dvd |website=JB Hi-Fi |access-date=15 August 2022 |language=en |date=21 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Two Strong Hearts Live CD">{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=Cameron |last2=Wehner |first2=Cyclone |last3=Cahill |first3=Mikey |last4=Kelton |first4=Sam |title=Album Reviews: John Farnham & Olivia Newton-John, Refused, Thy Art Is Murder, Way of the Eagle & Saskwatch |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/album-reviews-john-farnham--olivia-newtonjohn-refused-thy-art-is-murder-way-of-the-eagle--saskwatch/news-story/a7b06e3791458226ca95786b481babc7 |access-date=15 August 2022 |work=news.com.au |date=25 June 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Olivia Newton-John at Viña 2017 (4).png|thumb|left|Newton-John performing at ''[[2017 Viña del Mar International Song Festival|Viña 2017]]'']]
In 2015, Newton-John was a guest judge on [[Glamazonian Airways|an episode]] of ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]''. That same year, she scored her first number-one single on ''Billboard''{{'s}} [[Dance Club Songs]] chart with "[[You Have to Believe]]" with daughter Chloe and producer [[Dave Audé]]. The song was a re-imagining of her 1980 single "Magic", which she noted was to celebrate both the 35th anniversary of ''Xanadu'' and as a dedication to her daughter. About the latter, Newton-John stated: "I met Chloe's dad on the set of ''Xanadu;'' so, without that film, Chloe wouldn't be here. She was the real 'magic' that came out of that film!"<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6762259/olivia-newton-john-first-number-1-dance-club-songs-chart "Olivia Newton-John Logs First No. 1 on Dance Club Songs Chart"] from ''Billboard'' (12 November 2015)</ref> The song became the first mother-daughter single to reach No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Dance Club Play chart.<ref name="GlobalNewswire">{{cite news |title=Olivia Newton-John & Daughter Chloe Lattanzi to Release "Window in the Wall" – an Anthem to Unify & Heal – on Greenhill Records Friday, January 22, 2021 |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/01/22/2162889/0/en/Olivia-Newton-John-Daughter-Chloe-Lattanzi-to-Release-Window-in-the-Wall-an-Anthem-to-Unify-Heal-on-Greenhill-Records-Friday-January-22-2021.html |work=GlobeNewswire News Room |date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126013134/https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/01/22/2162889/0/en/Olivia-Newton-John-Daughter-Chloe-Lattanzi-to-Release-Window-in-the-Wall-an-Anthem-to-Unify-Heal-on-Greenhill-Records-Friday-January-22-2021.html |archive-date=26 January 2021}}</ref>

In [[Music Victoria Awards of 2015|2015]], Newton-John was inducted into the [[Music Victoria Awards|Music Victoria Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://musicvictoria.com.au/musicvictoriaawards/previous-winners|title=Previous Winners|website=Music Victoria|access-date=13 August 2020|archive-date=31 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731040330/https://musicvictoria.com.au/musicvictoriaawards/previous-winners|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2017, she collaborated with two North American singer-songwriters, [[Beth Nielsen Chapman]] and [[Amy Sky]], on a joint concert tour entitled Liv On after co-producing a 2016 [[Liv On|CD by the same name]].<ref name="LIV ON">{{cite web |title=Tour |url=https://www.livonmusic.com/tour/ |website=LIV ON – 2017 |access-date=15 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

On 7 May 2019, Newton-John's elder brother Hugh, a doctor, died at age 80;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/olivia-newton-john-brother-died-decline|title=Olivia Newton-John reveals her brother died earlier this month 'after years of decline'|last=McCarthy|first=Tyler|date=24 May 2019|publisher=Fox News|access-date=7 August 2019}}</ref> his death left Newton-John as the sole surviving sibling from the original family.

In recognition for "her work as an entertainer and philanthropist", she was bestowed Australia's highest honour, the [[Order of Australia#Companion (AC)|Companion of the Order of Australia]], in June 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Olivia Newton-John receives Australia's highest honour |url=https://7news.com.au/the-morning-show/olivia-newton-john-receives-the-companion-of-the-order-of-australia-c-164248 |access-date=13 August 2022 |work=7NEWS |date=13 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

In December 2019, Newton-John and Travolta also re-teamed for three live Meet 'n' Grease<ref name="Raven">{{cite news |last1=Raven |first1=Robin |title=Thousands Of Fans Travel To See John Travolta And Olivia Newton-John Together At 'Grease' Events |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robinraven/2019/12/16/thousands-of-fans-travel-to-see-john-travolta-and-olivia-newton-john-together-at-grease-events/ |access-date=8 August 2022 |work=Forbes |date=16 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217032004/https://www.forbes.com/sites/robinraven/2019/12/16/thousands-of-fans-travel-to-see-john-travolta-and-olivia-newton-john-together-at-grease-events/ |archive-date=17 December 2019}}</ref> sing-along events in the Florida cities of [[Tampa]], [[West Palm Beach]] and [[Jacksonville]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robinraven/2019/12/16/thousands-of-fans-travel-to-see-john-travolta-and-olivia-newton-john-together-at-grease-events/|title=Thousands of Fans Travel To See John Travolta And Olivia Newton-John Together At 'Grease' Events|last=Raven|first=Robin|website=Forbes|access-date=16 January 2020}}</ref> Subsequently, a sing-along re-broadcast of ''Grease'' aired on CBS Television.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Grease' is the word: CBS adds broadcast television premiere of 'Grease Sing-A-Long' to 'Sunday Night Movies' on June 7 |url=https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2020/05/19/141582/grease-is-the-word-cbs-adds-broadcast-television-premiere-of-grease-sing-a-long-to-sunday-night-movies-on-june-7#:~:text=%E2%80%9CGrease%20Sing-A-Long%E2%80%9D%20will%20air%20June%207,and%20dance%20throughout%20the%20movie. |access-date=19 August 2022|website=Niagara Frontier Publications}}</ref>

In February 2020, Newton-John appeared at the [[Fire Fight Australia]] charity event. This was her final public performance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Olivia Newton-John's jaw-dropping final performance before her death |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/olivia-newton-john/final-performance-death-video/ |access-date=19 August 2022 |website=Smooth |language=en}}</ref>

In January 2021, Newton-John released her final single, "Window in the Wall", a duet about unity which she recorded with her daughter Chloe Lattanzi. The music video for the song peaked at No. 1 on the [[iTunes]] pop music video chart the week of its release.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/rambling-reporter/olivia-newton-john-daughter-chloe-lattanzi-talk-new-single-cannabis-farming-and-playing-music-for-plants|title=Olivia Newton-John and Daughter Chloe Lattanzi Talk New Single| website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=8 February 2021|access-date=15 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2021/03/still-the-one-that-we-want/|title=Still the One We Want| website=OutSmart|date=15 March 2021|access-date=15 April 2021}}</ref>