'Hopelessly devoted to you': Emotional John Travolta's touching tribute to Olivia Newton-John at Oscars
An emotional John Travolta paid tribute to his close friend Olivia Newton-John at the Oscars, giving a nod to one of her greatest hits as he introduced the In Memoriam tribute through tears.
"In this industry, we have the rare luxury of getting to do what we love for a living," Travolta began on-stage.
"Sometimes getting to do it with people that we come to love. Since tonight is a celebration of the work and the accomplishments of our community in this past year, it is only fitting then that we celebrate those we've lost, who dedicated their lives to their craft, both in front of and behind the camera," he continued.
Watch the video above.
An emotional John Travolta introduces the 2023 Oscars In Memoriam segment. ABC
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"Each of them left an individual and indelible mark that shared and informed us, they've touched our hearts, they've made us smile, and became dear friends," Travolta said, taking a lengthy pause to visibly gather himself before he continued.
"Who we will always remain hopelessly devoted to," he said through tears, in a nod to Newton-John's hit Hopelessly Devoted To You, which she performed as Sandy in their shared film Grease (1978).
Travolta then introduced Lenny Kravitz, who performed his hit Calling All Angels as photos of stars who have passed since the Oscars 2022 flashed on a screen behind the stage.
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Lenny Kravitz performs Calling All Angels during the 2023 Oscars In Memoriam segment. ABC
Olivia Newton-John was featured in the 2023 Oscars In Memoriam segment. ABC
The tribute included a photo of Newton-John, who died aged 73 on August 9, 2022, after a 30-year battle with breast cancer.
At her own State Memorial in Victoria in February, many stars including Dolly Parton, Elton John and more paid tribute to Newton-John by sending in personal video messages.
Travolta, however, was seemingly absent from the event, in-person and virtually.
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Viewers of the Oscars 2023 have shared messages of support for Travolta, with many themselves getting emotional at his tribute.
"Find yourself a friend in life who clearly loves you like John Travolta loved Olivia Newton-John," one Twitter user wrote.
Another said: "The minute I saw John Travolta walk out I knew what was coming and I still wasn't prepared for his speech 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭"
A third wrote: "John Travolta announcing the 'in memoriam' section for the Oscars and ending it with 'who we will always remain hopelessly devoted to' oh I started sobbing."
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