Olivia Newton-John says people criticizing 'Grease' for being problematic 'need to relax a little bit'

• "Grease" star Olivia Newton-John defended the 1978 musical on Monday against renewed criticism.
• On the "A Life Of Greatness" podcast, she said the movie isn't meant "to be taken so seriously."
• The actress added that people should "relax a little bit" and "enjoy things for what they are."

Olivia Newton-John, who starred as soft-spoken cheerleader Sandy Olsson in "Grease," defended the 1978 musical on Monday from renewed criticism.

After the film aired on BBC in December, some viewers said that rewatching "Grease," which is set in the 1950s, over 40 years after its release made them view certain moments in the film as sexist, homophobic, and racist.

For example, they argued that the drive-in movie scene and the song "Summer Nights" raised issues of consent. They also said that the lack of on-screen diversity was jarring.

Newton-John, 72, responded to the recent backlash on Monday's episode of a podcast called "A Life Of Greatness" and calling the criticism "silly."

She went on to say that a "fun movie musical" like "Grease" isn't meant "to be taken so seriously."

"I think in this particular instance, it's kind of silly because the movie was made in the '70s about the '50s. It was a stage play, it's a musical, it's fun," she explained.

The actress added, "I think we need to relax a little bit and just enjoy things for what they are. I didn't see it like that at all, I think it's just a fun movie that entertains people. That's all."

In the musical, Newton-John co-starred alongside John Travolta, who played high school bad boy Danny Zuko. Decades after the duo shot the film, the actress said she and Travolta remain "really great friends."

"We always will be," she said on the podcast, continuing, "I think we shared something incredibly unique, making that film that is still so loved. It keeps our friendship together."

Travolta, 66, recently revived a signature "Grease" moment with his daughter Ella Travolta in a SuperBowl ad for Scotts Miracle-Gro.

In the commercial, the father-daughter pair do the hand jive, a dance that Travolta and Newton-John perform in the movie.

• Read more:
• 17 things you probably didn't know about 'Grease'
• THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'Grease' 42 years later
• Olivia Newton-John shares heartwarming Christmas message telling fans 'we'll get through this' as she battles stage four cancer
• The founder of Spanx bought Olivia Newton-John's skintight pants from 'Grease' for $162,000