He Was My Danny to My Sandy, Grease Made Me Realize I Was Gay

I was nine and he was ten when I first laid my eyes on him. It was also my first day in my new school.

When we moved houses, my siblings and I moved to a different school.

I wasn’t prepared for what was about to happen that would change the course of my adult life when I was nine years old.

It was a deeply buried memory, only to resurface upon the news that our beloved Olivia Newton-John has died from cancer, she was 73.

I wrote about why we are affected by celebrity deaths, and who wouldn't be upon hearing of Olivia’s death?

Especially people of my age who are in their 50s, who grew up with her songs, and not only did we know the lyrics, we lived by them. We were Sandys to our Dannys and been singing to the men or women we loved or thought to have loved, Hopelessly Devoted to You, as I did when I was nine.

Grease

At my new school every Wednesday we were ‘forced’ to hear mass, but come Friday afternoon, we always had an activity where anyone can show off their talents. This was long before American Idol.

And I can still remember that Friday when I first saw him dance, everyone expected him to show his moves, it was his talent, he was our John Travolta.

In 1978, John Travolta had back-to-back hit movies — Saturday Night Fever and Grease. But it was the ‘Danny’ moves and vibe that he always captured every Friday afternoon.

And because I was nine, I didn’t understand my feelings for him and that would stay until the day I had to move again to another school, by this time we were in our early teens.

Through the years, there will be days when I looked back and wished I told him — why there were days when I won’t talk to him or days when I would hide his bags so he would come looking for me and why I needed to leave school without ever saying goodbye to him.

I never saw him again, nor had seen him on social media. None of our classmates knew I had this feeling for him, and when I casually asked a common friend about him, I specifically didn't want to know what he looked like after I left, or when he was in his 20s, 30s, 40s and now in his 50s.

I would like to remember him as the boy I fell in love with when I was nine.

Olivia Newton-John

Grease was more than a movie; it was a time capsule. Yes, some of what has been said and sung in the movie is replete with things that will never get the green light in today’s politically correct landscape, but then again it was of a different time when the movie was made.

Although date rape, bullying, or sexual assault should never be reinforced through pop culture, in our movies and songs ever.

When I learned of the news that she passed, it brought back all the memories of her songs. Like many celebrities that we always choose to believe will be with us forever, there will be that day when it will take us by surprise that they are no longer with us.

And that day happened on August 8, 2022, with the passing of Olivia Newton-John, her family released a statement;

“Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends,” said the statement. “We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”

The statement added: “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.” — John Easterling, her husband.

The outpouring of tribute to Olivia Newton-John as someone who managed to escape the scandals of celebrity life was expected.

She was well-loved by her peers, family, and friends as she was indeed the same Olivia Newton-John we all knew from a distance.

“I don’t know if I’ve known a lovelier human being,” “Olivia was the essence of summer — her sunniness, her warmth and her grace are what always come to mind when I think of her.”

“I will miss her enormously.” — Stockard Channing her co-star from Grease.

My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John! — John Travolta

Final words

It’s a decision how you choose to feel about something — Olivia Newton-John

In her interview with Gayle King, she left us a quote that I hope I will never ever forget, ‘It’s a decision how you choose to feel about something,’ she chose to be happy.

Her pain was hers alone, but her joy was shared with everyone including us who loved her songs, her movies, and her light.

As she did cast light, from the time I loved her from the movie Grease to her songs which became songs of the soundtrack of my life, to her philanthropy and her search for ways to help those who like herself have cancer.

A life well lived Olivia.

Godspeed and while we are missing you, rest in love that we will always be hopelessly devoted to you.

For death will come to all of us,

And then, at last, we shall rest.

For those who did good,

and for those who did wrong.

The poor and the rich,

the unknown and the celebrity.

Thank you for reading.