Dannii Minogue struggles not to break down as she reveals how Olivia Newton-John inspired her to start performing at memorial for the iconic singer in Melbourne
Dannii Minogue has shared the touching reason Olivia Newton-John means so much to her.
The Australian pop star and television host spoke to Channel Nine outside Hamer Hall in Melbourne on Sunday, where a memorial for the icon is underway.
The 51-year-old revealed that she was able to tell Olivia how she felt about her during her lifetime.
‘Olivia is so important to me. She is literally the reason why I started performing and I was lucky enough to tell her that the first time we met’ she said.
Becoming emotional, Dannii admitted she was shaky and on the verge of tears.
Dannii Minogue (pictured) has shared the touching reason Olivia Newton-John means so much to her. The Australian pop star struggled not to cry as she spoke to Channel Nine outside Hamer Hall in Melbourne on Sunday, where a memorial for the icon is underway
‘Yeah, it’s still – I think, the thought is just settling. My hands are shaking. I’m all over the place’ she said.
Dannii is one of many stars attending a state memorial service to celebrate the life of the late iconic singer.
The service comes six months after Newton-John died in August at the age of 73, after a brave and decades-long battle with cancer.
A livestream began half an hour earlier with a personal photo tribute showcasing her life under the spotlight and away from the cameras with family and children.
‘Olivia is so important to me. She is literally the reason why I started performing and I was lucky enough to tell her that the first time we met’ she said. Olivia is pictured
Becoming emotional, Dannii admitted she was shaky and on the verge of tears
Some 2,300 people were expected to attend the service with Premier Daniel Andrews and showbiz legend Paul Hogan among the guests.
Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and began fundraising for research and promoting cancer awareness.
A treatment and research hub in Melbourne, the Olivia Newton-John Wellness and Research Centre, opened in 2012 and its services have helped thousands.
In 2019 she was appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia and also named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Newton-John’s career spanned more than 60 years, during which she made 28 studio and six live albums.
She is survived by her husband John Easterling and only daughter Chloe Lattanzi.
The service comes six months after Newton-John died in August at the age of 73, after a brave and decades-long battle with cancer
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