Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta made fans believe in Sandy and Danny’s love story in ‘Grease‘. Their chemistry felt so natural that many people wondered for years if there was something real between them off-screen, too.
Now, Matthew Hild’s new biography claims their bond came close to being romantic. But one major issue may have stopped it from going further.
Olivia Newton-John Reportedly Wondered What Marriage To Her ‘Grease’ Co-Star Would Mean
Newton-John and Travolta became one of Hollywood’s most loved screen pairs after starring in the 1978 movie musical ‘Grease‘. She played Sandy Olsson, while Travolta played Danny Zuko. Their love story in the film made generations of viewers fall for them. However, Hild’s biography, A Little More Love: The Life and Legacy of Olivia Newton-John, claims their real-life connection did not fully turn into romance because of Travolta’s ties to Scientology.
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The book, out on May 14, says Newton-John later considered what a future with him might have entailed. Newton-John, who died in 2022, reportedly realized that if she and Travolta ever married, converting to the religion would be highly recommended. The possibility appears to have made her look more carefully at the situation.
Years after ‘Grease‘ was filmed, Newton-John had a musician join her band who was married to a Scientologist. She used that connection to ask about marriage, belief, and what it might mean to be with someone closely linked to the Church of Scientology.
A Bandmate’s Answer Finally Gave Olivia Much-Needed Clarity
According to Hild’s book, the bandmate remembered Newton-John and Travolta as being “very, very close. Almost that close.” Hild wrote that she said, “I know the Church of Scientology really reveres him as a very valuable follower.” She then asked, “If I had married John, would he have expected me to become a Scientologist?”
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The bandmate reportedly answered, “It would not have been mandatory, but it would have been encouraged, put it that way.” Newton-John then thanked the musician and replied, “That’s all I want to know.” It suggests Newton-John may have understood that a life with Travolta would likely come with pressure around Scientology, even if conversion would not have been required.
Newton-John married actor Matt Lattanzi in 1984, and their marriage lasted until 1996. While Travolta married Kelly Preston in 1991, they remained married until Preston’s death in 2020. Still, the fans never fully let go of the connection between Newton-John and Travolta because their ‘Grease‘ chemistry felt so real.
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