Delta Goodrem still finds it hard to talk about Olivia Newton-John’s death

As the country prepares for the state memorial for Olivia Newton John this Sunday, Delta Goodrem has reflected on the kind gesture the legendary singer showed her as a child that has had such an impact on her life.

The Australian singer, 38, said The Australian Women’s Weekly when she was just seven years old, she saw Olivia at the Phantom of the Opera in New York, and the star came over to say hello.

I have always thought of that moment when I see young people at a table. It’s my responsibility to walk there,’ he said.

‘Olivia was such an amazing teacher. The kindness she showed me that day had a profound impact on how I would treat the people I met later in my life, because of her example.’

The “Innocent Eyes” singer has always admired Olivia as an artist, and their bond grew even stronger at the most difficult time of her life, when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at just 18 years old.

Olivia was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, and when Delta received her diagnosis in 2003, she told the young star that one day she would see it “as a gift.”

“I was an 18-year-old trying to do the best I could,” Delta told the publication, recalling her terrifying diagnosis.

“I wasn’t trying to share or not share, I was just trying to be a human being and go through it. Of course, I knew that it was an extraordinary circumstance to have a number one album at the same time, but I pushed it forward day by day.

‘But that was a long time ago now. I’m fit, I’m healthy. And being a survivor gives us the ability to speak up and make a difference. No moment defines us. I am not just a thing or a moment.

The Australian singer, 38, told The Australian Women’s Weekly that when she was just seven years old, she saw Olivia at the Phantom of the Opera in New York and the star came over to say hello. In the photo together

Delta stars in stunning photo shoot for new edition of The Australian Women’s Weekly

“But talking about this moment is important to other people’s journeys: being able to remind people to see the other side.”

This positive attitude was cemented by his childhood heroine, Olivia, who died at the age of 78 in August 2022 after a decades-long battle with breast cancer.

‘Olivia told me that one day, not now, but one day, you’ll see [your cancer diagnosis] as a gift, to be a pillar of strength for other people,’ he said.

“I was forever grateful and ever loyal for the love he had shown me. She had been there. She understood fear.

I have always thought of that moment when I see young people at a table. It’s my responsibility to walk there,’ he said. ‘Olivia was such an amazing teacher’

“The kindness he showed me that day had a profound impact on how I would treat the people I met later in my life, by his example,” the Born To Try hitmaker said.

“She was an example to me of how, once I got past my own health journey, I vowed to be like that for others, too.”

Delta told Women’s Weekly that she still finds it difficult to talk about Olivia’s death since it was such a profound loss for her. I still don’t have the words,’ she said.

I would love to be more eloquent with you. It’s very difficult for me to talk about it because I was very lucky to have such a special bond, a true kinship.

“We were always there for each other in a beautiful way as mentors and friends.”

After paying tribute to Olivia at the G’Day USA gala in Los Angeles in January, which Delta attended along with Olivia’s husband, John Easterling, their daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, Delta bravely put together a few more words about her good friend. .

Delta told Women’s Weekly that she still finds it difficult to talk about Olivia’s death since it was such a profound loss for her.

“I still don’t have the words,” he said. I would love to be more eloquent with you. It’s very difficult for me to talk about it because I was very lucky to have such a special bond, a true kinship.

“Obviously it was a very emotional night, but I loved seeing everyone sing for Olivia and honor her,” he said on the night.

“Everyone grieves differently and what I’m learning is that it’s about making room for someone else’s process.

‘Having space, just being there, knowing that you are there for someone. No matter what, this is a lifelong friendship of being part of a support system when you have so much love for someone.

The Lost Without You singer added that Olivia brought so much joy to so many people around the world.

‘She stood for good values: kindness, integrity, love for people. She had such generosity of spirit. You felt like she was there for everyone,” Delta said.

‘This has been a new experience of anguish. But then you have to go through it. This week was a big and important part for me.

Olivia was diagnosed with cancer three times in 1992, 2013 and, for the last time, in 2017. Newton-John died in August after a courageous and public decades-long battle with the disease.

The State Memorial Service for Australia’s beloved Newton-John will be held on February 26.

Few details have emerged about the memorial, which will celebrate the Grease star’s 60th anniversary as a recording star and actress, as well as her achievements as an advocate for cancer research.

Olivia was diagnosed with cancer three times in 1992, 2013, and for the last time in 2017.

Newton-John died in August after a courageous and public decades-long battle with the disease.

Read more in this month’s edition of Australian Women’s Weekly