OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN: I’ll help my girl to beat anorexia
OLIVIA Newton-John has vowed to nurse her anorexic daughter back to health following years of family heartache.
The Grease star is deeply concerned for her only child Chloe Lattanzi, 21, who said her eating problems started when Olivia, 59, fell desperately ill with breast cancer 15 years ago.
But Chloe’s eating disorder spiralled out of control 18 months ago when her mother’s long-term boyfriend, Patrick McDermott, disappeared during a fishing trip and hasn’t been seen since.
Chloe said: “I’ve gone through an eating disorder. I don’t hide that. It’s nothing I’m ashamed of. Everything happens for a reason.”
She kept her anorexia secret from her famous mother for two years. Devastated Olivia said: “Did I notice? Yes. I was obviously very concerned and worried. Eating disorders are usually nothing to do with food. Parents need to be with their child to see them through it. All the therapists in the world can’t help if the parents aren’t present, loving and pro-active.”
When Olivia discovered her daughter’s potentially-fatal illness, she hired a daily therapist and nutritionist. Her ex-husband Matt Lattanzi - Chloe’s dad - also rallied round to support her.
Chloe, who lives in Olivia’s mansion in Malibu, said: “I’m taking good care of myself, but I’m not going to be like, ‘Oh, I eat pizza every day!’ and I’m honest about that. I’m lucky I got through it because it’s a fatal thing if you don’t pull through it.”
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Chloe’s eating disorder started as she watched Olivia battle cancer. Just 12 months later her parents divorced and she suffered depression.
Then in June 2005 Patrick, 48, went missing on a fishing trip from Los Angeles. He was feared drowned but investigators suspected he jumped ship to evade bankruptcy.
In an interview with Australian magazine Woman’s Day, mother and daughter confessed they had a rocky relationship. Chloe said: “But we have always had a deep love for each other.”
Chloe is now following in the footsteps of her singer mum, who played Sandy opposite John Travolta in hit movie Grease, with the release of her debut album Lonely Night In Paradise.
Sunday Mirror, Mar 18, 2007 by LOUISE FORD
louise.ford@sundaymirror.co.uk
I LOVE HER
Comment by laura court — July 13, 2007 @ 6:48 am
yiiikkkeeeee. :))
Comment by jhuresy. — September 9, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
This is sad to see. Hopefully she gets the help she needs. I like thin girls myself, but anorexics are in desperate need of help.
Comment by Roger — March 4, 2008 @ 3:42 pm