Olivia Newton-John remembered as ‘force of nature’ at Melbourne ceremony

Olivia Newton-John’s home city of Melbourne, Australia, celebrated her life at a state memorial on Sunday.

Among the poignant tributes to the “Grease” star were words from her daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, who said her heart is still “broken in two” in the wake of her mother’s death in August at age 73 of breast cancer.

“I stand here before you so desperately wanting to feel strong and confident and speak eloquently but the truth is, I feel like a little girl lost without her mother,” said Lattanzi, fighting back tears, according to BBC News. “She was my safe space, my guide, my biggest fan and the earth beneath my feet.”

Loved ones and fans from around the world gathered in person and online to pay tribute to the woman and her legacy.

Dame Olivia, as Newton-John is known down under, released 28 studio albums and six live ones over a six-decade career, winning four Grammy awards and selling more than 100 million records worldwide, the government of Victoria said.

Upon being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, Newton-John used her celebrity to draw attention and research dollars to the disease.

Elton John, Hugh Jackman, Pink, Barry Gibb and Mariah Carey sent in video messages.

John Easterling, 70, lovingly detailed their meeting and what led up to their engagement, saying that they’d been so happy that they almost felt guilty.

“But we decided we’d feel gratitude and just let the happiness run at full throttle,” he said.

Australian singer and actress Delta Goodrem, who both collaborated with Newton-John and played her in a miniseries, also spoke. She capped off the service by singing a medley of the star’s songs.

Fellow singer Dolly Parton gave one of the numerous tributes.

“As a country, you should be very proud and know that the whole world mourns with you,” Parton said, according to the Guardian. “I considered her a great friend as well as a fellow entertainer. Olivia, to quote one of your songs, ‘I honestly love you.’ Thank you for shining your light on us.”

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