I am certain there is no person on Earth, whether young or old, who doesn’t remember the iconic love story between charmer Danny Zuko and the shy Australian transfer student Sandy Olsson. Grease was a huge hit back in the day and is still popular today, almost 43 years after it stole the hearts of millions and became the highest-grossing musical at the time.
Believe it or not, what Danny and Sandy had was something we all wished to experience. Their impact on the youth of that time was so huge that many of them copied the dance moves from the movie. The singing and dancing featured in Grease, along with the mooning mishap, the car races, the prom, were part of the period that helped shape the American culture.
This cultural phenomenon that remained popular years following its release turned both Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta into huge stars everyone talked about. The single “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” performed by Newton-John, was nominated at the Oscars for original song.
But it wasn’t just these two who rose to stardom thanks to Grease.
Most of you remember the rebel Rizzo played by actress Stockard Channing.
When she landed the role, Channing was 34, and today, this beautiful lady is 79.
Some time ago, she appeared on Lorraine Kelly’s daytime talk show to promote her new West End show Apologia and people couldn’t believe how much she has changed over the years due to her age.
Among the rest, Channing spoke about Grease and said that it is incredible how people are still obsessed with it after so many years.
“I don’t really want to believe it! I don’t want to think about that number! I am the world’s oldest living teenager! It is a little daunting, coming out of the theatre with people shoving photos in your face,” she said when asked about the musical’s popularity.
People couldn’t help but comment Channing’s looks. Many said that she had gone through a number of plastic surgery procedures.
Some of the comments were, “What the hell had Rizzo done to her face?!?! (sic).”
“Good grief, Stockard Channing looks unrecognisable on #Lorraine. Such a shame that people feel they can’t simply age gracefully.”
“Oh dear. Stockard Channing is looking a tad scary on @ITVLorraine.”
“What the heck has Stockard Channing done to her face? She can barely talk.”
When an article of her appearance on the talk show was posted by the Mirror, more people joined in expressing their thoughts on Channing’s looks and plastic surgery in general.
“It is such a shame that ( mainly) women feel they have to keep having various procedures to keep looking youth full. I bet she would have aged splendidly without all the fillers and pulling around she is an attractive woman.
“I see women in their seventies and eighties and they look lovely with wrinkles and their skin look nourished I don’t know why these celebrities bother why don’t they just except getting older.”
Stockard Channing attends the Broadway Opening Night Celebration for the Roundabout Theatre Company production of “Apologia” on October 16, 2018 at the Laura Pels Theatre in New York City. (Photo by Walter McBride/Getty Images)
“Is it any wonder that people with more money than sense try to retain a look they had 40 years ago and fail. Leading to them actually looking rather frightening. There is no shame looking 73 and if more actors and actresses stood up to those that demand they don’t look their age then maybe things would change for the better.”
What do you think of Rizo nowadays?
Go to the video below and SHARE your thoughts with us in the comment section below.