Olivia Newton-John taught me about health

She was hopelessly devoted to health.

Rebel Wilson recalled how the late Olivia Newton-John, a vocal advocate for breast cancer awareness, taught her about health long before she embarked on her 2020 weight loss journey.

“You tried to teach me about health years before I took it seriously,” Wilson, 42, wrote in an Instagram post mourning Newton-John, who died Monday at age 73. “You were so kind to me and it was such a blessing to know you Olivia.”

The “Pitch Perfect” actress also reflected on the “Grease” star playing her mom in their 2011 comedy “A Few Best Men.”

“@therealonj , you were the most gorgeous lady inside and out, you are a true Aussie icon and to play your daughter on screen in A FEW BEST MEN was beyond an honour,” Wilson, who is Australian like Newton-John, shared. “Seeing you star in the huge Hollywood blockbuster GREASE with your natural accent was so instrumental to me as a little girl, helping me to believe that it was possible for an Aussie girl to star in huge international musicals.”

Xavier Samuel, Rebel Wilson, Olivia Newton-John and Laura Brent in "A Few Best Men."
Rebel Wilson recalled “A Few Best Men” co-star Olivia Newton-John teaching her about health.
Icon Film Distribution/Courtesy

Wilson noted that Newton-John, who battled breast cancer for 30 years, inspired her to audition for a role in her high school’s production of “Grease” when she was 15 years old.

She also reflected on being able to hang out with her idol years later.

Olivia Newton-John on a red carpet.
The “Grease” star died Monday at the age of 73.
Getty Images

“I’ll never forget us singing at the piano in our lunch break on set together – what a complete legend you are!” she wrote, adding, “I am so sad you are gone 💗 Love and Light always to you ONJ, Rebel xoxo.”

Rebel Wilson posing with an oversize tennis racket.
Wilson embarked on a year of health in 2020 and lost approximately 65 pounds.
Dave Benett/Getty Images for evi

Wilson announced that she was embarking on a year of health in 2020 and ended up having a total body transformation.

The “Isn’t It Romantic” star shared that she used to eat 3,000 calories a day until giving up her habits for a high-protein diet. She also got in shape with the help of a personal trainer.

In July 2021, Wilson shared that she had shed an impressive 65 pounds in order to have a better chance of getting pregnant after sharing a few months earlier that she was struggling with fertility issues.

While the “Bridesmaids” star has yet to give any updates on her fertility journey, she has been quite busy: Wilson came out as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community in June and is dating fashion designer Ramona Agruma.