Olivia Newton-John Says Grease Sexism Backlash Is 'Silly'

Olivia Newton-John has responded to critics who have labelled Grease 'sexist' and 'lacking in diversity'.

The 72-year-old starred as Sandy Olsson in the 1978 movie, which became the highest-grossing musical in history at the time.

But times change, and some people feel as though the flick hasn't aged well.

Paramount Pictures

Discussing the contemporary backlash on the Life of Greatness podcast, Newton-John argued that such criticisms are 'silly'.

She said: "I think it's kind of silly. I mean, this movie was made in the 1970s about the 1950s.

"It was a stage play, it's a musical, it's fun. It's a fun movie musical, not to be taken so seriously.

"We need to relax a little bit and just enjoy things for what they are.

"I didn't see it like that at all, I think it's a fun movie that entertains people."

Newton-John is well-placed to gauge silly comments, given that she recently said doesn't plan on receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.

People over the age of 65 in California are currently being offered the jab, but when asked if she planned on receiving it, she told The Herald Sun: "No, not at this point."

She failed to elaborate on her reasoning, but her daughter Chloe Lattanzi added: "I'm not an anti-vaxxer. I'm anti putting mercury and pesticides in my body, which are in a lot of vaccines.

"To me real medicine is what comes from the Earth. I think people trust vaccines because the doctor says it is safe, I used to."

Yes, why trust medical professionals when the daughter of an actor is making absurd and baseless claims that vaccines contain pesticides?

One famous face in California who hasn't turned down the chance to get inoculated against Covid-19 is Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The 73-year-old actor received his jab at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, before encouraging others to do the same by reciting the classic Terminator line: "Come with me if you want to live."

Captioning the video on Twitter, Arnie said: "Today was a good day. I have never been happier to wait in a line. If you're eligible, join me and sign up to get your vaccine. Come with me if you want to live!"

Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey