Dame Olivia Newton-John remembered at state memorial as tributes paid by Dolly Parton and Elton John

Elton John and Dolly Parton were among celebrities to pay tribute to Dame Olivia Newton-John in a state memorial service in Melbourne marked by thousands for the late actress and singer.

“Every day with Olivia was a bit of magic,” her husband John Easterling said on Sunday, in a speech at the memorial.

The service, held in Melbourne Australia, has seen many A-list celebrities remembering the actress and musician.

Guests were welcomed to the service by host David Campbell as he remembered Dame Olivia and her spirit.

Dame Olivia, best known for her appearance in Grease with John Travolta, passed away aged 73 in August 2022.

A love story

Easterling spoke on his late wife, the love they shared and the life that they had together.

“We did share some hard times in our life before like everyone has and we were just talking about how lucky we were to have found each other,” he said.

Easterling said that every day with Dame Olivia was “supernatural” and that the love they shared was “natural” between them.

Described as a “healer” with her words and work, Easterling also remembered the late singer for her talents in the music industry.

“She was the most courageous woman I’ve ever met,” he added.

Chloe Lattanzi also took centre stage to pay tribute to her mother.

“My heart is broken in two, the other half is with my mama,” she said.

“I know she’s holding it for me until we meet again.”

Read more:
Olivia Newton-John: Grease star dies aged 73
Olivia Newton-John: Elton John joins chorus of tributes to Grease star

‘The world lost one of its greatest talents’

Fellow colleagues, actors and singers celebrated the late singer’s life and the impact she had on them.

Video tributes were shared with friends, family and fans, as the Jolene singer Dolly Parton spoke on her love for Dame Olivia.

“The world lost one of its greatest talents,” she said.

“I know it’s especially painful for all the folks there in Australia, since she’s one of your own.”

The singer said the country mourns the loss of Dame Olivia and that she will forever “honour” singing with her several times.

British singer and composer Elton John said Dame Olivia was someone that he would “look forward to seeing.”

Speaking on her character he said she was a “wonderful force of nature,” and that she was filled with much warmth, humour and talent.

Australian singer Delta Goodrem performed a medley of Dame Olivia’s songs to end the service.

She said: “Being able to honour and celebrate Olivia is incredibly special.

“I think it’s really important to everybody for healing.”