Grease's Didi Conn who played Frenchy reveals touching final conversation with Olivia Newton-John

Didi 'Frenchy' Conn has recalled the last time she spoke to Olivia Newton-John, who died on Monday after a 30-year-long cancer journey

Didi 'Frenchy' Conn of Grease reveals final words with Olivia Newton-John
(Image credit: Getty)

Didi Conn, who played Frenchy in Grease, has recalled the last conversation she had with Olivia Newton-John before her passing.

The US actor reflected on the final time she spoke to her beloved friend in a heartfelt new interview, calling the Australian legend 'so generous'. 

Olivia Newton-John died aged 73 on Monday, after a three-decades-long journey with breast cancer. She passed away 'peacefully' on her Ranch in Southern California, surrounded by her beloved daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, and her husband, John Easterlin. Her death has been met by an outpouring of grief from both friends and fans alike, including a flood of celebrity tributes to Olivia Newton-John from the likes of John Travolta and Kylie Minogue. 

A number of castmates from Grease, the musical film that catapulted Olivia to global stardom back in 1978, have also shared sweet messages in honor of the Grammy-winning Aussie. 

Olivia

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta

(Image credit: Getty)

Didi Conn, best known as Frenchy, the lovable best friend of Olivia's character, Sandy, shared details of her last conversation in a Good Morning America interview on Wednesday. 

"She told me that her health was, you know, she wasn't walking anymore and she had full-time care," the 71-year-old said. "But her husband John and her daughter Chloe were there all the time, and she told me that they were just so hopelessly devoted." 

Didi also reminisced on her first impression of Olivia, calling the Australian ex-pat "gorgeous" and "perfect", before explaining how she helped her embrace her role as Sandy on the set of Grease. 

Olivia Newton John

Olivia Newton-John and Didi 'Frenchie' Conn in 2015

(Image credit: Getty)

"She was nervous. The first scene we had together – coming on the first day of school – and she told me, she had been in another movie and it didn't go as well as she had hoped, so I just began improvising with her." 

Grease

Olivia Newton-John as Sandy and Didi Conn as Frenchy in Grease (1978)

(Image credit: Getty)

In another interview with the Mirror, Didi revealed the final text messages shared between the lifelong friends. 

The Shining Time Station star said that she told Olivia, "I hope you know you're in my heart, always," only to receive the touching reply, "And you are in mine". These touching words were exchanged on 5 July, a little over a month before the 80s icon passed away. 

"Olivia's death feels so personal to me and so many other people because she cared so much," Didi continued. "Her heart was so big."

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.


Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.