Celebrity Interviews – MarianneSchwabLive

(August 8, 2022) I was so sad to hear today that the world has lost another icon of music and films, Olivia Newton-John.

I was thinking of some recent interviews that I had watched of her when I remembered….

I almost forgot that I interviewed her back in the late 90’s.

I was hired to produce behind-the-scenes (BTS) video (and an interview with Olivia) at a Hollywood studio where she was making a commercial for Panasonic Australia – oh, and a chimpanzee was involved.

The commercial was being directed by Herb Ritts, a brilliant and legendary photographer, who sadly passed away in 2002.

We had set the lights up for an interview in Olivia’s trailer/dressing room, but Herb nixed it and insisted we use the natural light outside, but…

The sun was bright and Olivia was squinting so…

I offered her my $5 sun glasses, but….

Herb didn’t like that idea/look and handed her a pair of Ray Bans (my sunglasses actually looked similar but without the fancy label.)

I have a short clip of the BTS on my old CMP Media Cafe corporate highlights reel (and you can see Herb Ritts, too). It’s at 5:50 into the video and I love that she says, “It’s VHS compatible.” A classic!

She’s featured in a few other short clips throughout the video and I found this shot of the interview (she’s actually talking to me and I’m off camera).

I’m so honored and grateful to have worked with her … for a day.

Olivia had a spectacular career and like most humans, a life with many ups and downs.

May she rest in peace after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Marianne Schwab is the the creator of the ‘Seen On TV’ System and, as an Audience/Authority Accelerator, she is the go-to broadcast media expert to show you how to get booked on TV and ace your on-camera interview. Her producer credits include Live with Regis & Kathie Lee, Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous, Runaway with the Rich & Famous, E! Entertainment Television ON E! Specials, and many more. She has worked in broadcast for over 25 years and is currently the Executive Producer for CMP Media Cafe, a company specializing in broadcast public relations where she provides customized media coaching services for clients.

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