Olivia Newton-John book explores 'tension' during “Grease” rehearsals

Marina WattsMon, May 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM UTC

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Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in 'Grease'
Credit: Paramount Pictures/Fotos International/Getty -

Matthew Hild's new book explores the tension between Olivia Newton-John and other dancers while rehearsing for Grease.

"Once I got there and saw what was happening, I could see why she needed an ally," piano player Greg Mathieson said while sitting in at rehearsals.

A Little More Love: The Life and Legacy of Olivia Newton-John is available for purchase wherever books are sold.

Olivia Newton-John needed a support system while rehearsing for Grease.

Piano player Greg Mathieson, who contributed to the grand finale number “You’re the One That I Want," recalled the "tension" during the making of Greasein the new book A Little More Love: The Life and Legacy of Olivia Newton-John by Matthew Hild.

After working on the song for the movie's final scene, Mathieson got a call from Newton-John's team requesting his presence for the Grease rehearsals. Though confused by the ask, he accepted.

“I’m not a rehearsal piano player, you know. It’s not fun doing that. But once I got there, I figured out why she wanted me there. I had become an actual friend of Olivia’s," he said, per Hild's book. "And so, once I got there and saw what was happening, I could see why she needed an ally.”

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in 'Grease'
Credit: CBS via Getty

Mathieson noted that although her Grease costar John Travolta “was real, real nice to her and to me," he understood the friction on set among the dancers and actors.

"If you don’t know, the movie business can be very, shall we say, 'cutthroat.' All of these actresses wanted to know why they didn’t have the lead role in this movie. So right away there’s tension there," Mathieson explained. "Then there are ten real dancers. They are uptight because it took longer for Olivia and the three actresses to learn their dance steps."

Overall, the piano player was "impressed" with the choreography Newton-John learned and executed in the intense environment.

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"I had never seen a choreographer start from scratch and build a dance scene. It was really interesting," Mathieson said. "To me it seemed like he was making it up as he went along. I was impressed!"

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"In the end, Olivia held her own. She fought through the 'bad vibes,' worked hard, and pulled it off. I was proud of her. I couldn’t have done it. I think it took two weeks to perfect it," he concluded.

'A Little More Love: The Life and Legacy of Olivia Newton John' by Matthew Hild
Credit: Bloomsbury Publishing

Newton-John, meanwhile, acknowledged that the dance numbers were difficult for her.

“I went in cold to the dancing,” she revealed in an interview after shooting the film was complete. "I always considered myself a bit of a klutz—a girl with two left feet—but the choreographer, Pat Birch, says I move very well."

A Little More Love: The Life and Legacy of Olivia Newton-Johnis available for purchase wherever books are sold.

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