Olivia Newton-John gave her niece Tottie Goldsmith permission to speak about her health in an attempt to shut down “sick rumors” she was dying.
Goldsmith told the Seven Network she had been allowed to speak publicly about her famous aunt, who is battling cancer for the third time.
It came after US and Australian gossip publications claimed unnamed sources told them her body was “shutting down” and she had only “weeks” to live.
But Goldsmith, 56, ended the speculation by confirming the stories were untrue.
“You can rest assured she is going nowhere and in really good health. A sick rumor,” she said.
She later posted a photo of herself and Newton-John smiling and embracing with the caption: “Just giving you the heads up that Livvy is in good health, so let’s leave that distressing rumor where it belongs.”
The iconic actress and singer is battling breast cancer and a tumor on the base of her spine, but American gossip site Radar Online claims her body is “shutting down.”
Some Australian media outlets seized on the unconfirmed reports, sparking a frenzy of activity on social media from her worried fans.
The local website Now To Love claims that people close to Newton-John, 70, say she is struggling with her cancer battle and her prognosis is “weeks, not months.”
But those in the star’s inner circle have told news.com.au that ONJ is A-OK.
An Australian source said Newton-John, famed for her role in “Grease” and a string of musical hits, is perfectly well and had enjoyed the Christmas and New Year period.
Her American representative Michael Caprio laughed when contacted by news.com.au, saying reports of his client’s imminent demise were “hilarious.”
“No she has not,” Caprio said. “You might want to get better sources versus reading tabloids.”
And her social media manager Randy Slovacek told the Herald Sun newspaper: “We have stated over and over again publicly she’s feeling better. People just seem to want to believe some dramatic turn.”
It’s understood the Radar Online story followed a report in the dubious US tabloid National Enquirer, which touted a “tragic world exclusive” late last month.
“THE END,” its headline read. “Losing third fight with cancer; going home to die on her ranch.”
Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and managed to beat it. A second occurrence in 2013, that time in her shoulder, was kept a secret from the world.
In 2017, she decided to go public with her third battle and spoke of her mix of treatments — radiation as well as more natural remedies, including cannabis oil.
“In California it’s legal to grow a certain amount of plants for your own medicinal purposes,” she told Channel 7’s “Sunday Night” program.
“So he [her husband] makes me tinctures. It’s hard to say, they help with pain.
“I’m very lucky that I live in a state where it’s legal and that I have a husband that is a plant-medicine man.
“My dream is that, in Australia soon, it will be available to all the cancer patients and people going through cancer that causes pain.”
In an appearance on Channel 7’s “Sunrise,” Newton-John said she was keeping positive.
“I have no pain and life is wonderful,” she said. “I’m treating it naturally and doing really well.”
Her initial battle inspired her to open the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, which works to find breakthroughs and treatments.
It also operates the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness Centre, which provides world-leading treatment complemented by wellness programs and clinical trials.
The claims about her health swirling today, which again her spokesman has strongly denied, have prompted an outpouring of shock and grief from fans.