As a content creator for johnchen.net, I’m always reflecting on moments that have shaped my journey. Recently, revisiting my guest blog post for NPR about “Teachers Who Made a Difference” brought a flood of memories, particularly one mortifying yet formative experience involving pink leg warmers and Olivia Newton-John’s iconic anthem, “Let’s Get Physical.”
Visiting my old grade school, St Ann’s, felt like stepping back in time. Suddenly, I was surrounded by ghosts of term papers and construction paper projects, but most vividly, I recalled my 7th-grade Speech and Drama class. My teacher, now the school principal, was subjected to my nostalgic ramblings, specifically about my “Advertising Campaign” performance. Picture this: a painfully awkward 7th grader, fueled by a desperate desire to impress a boy named Eric F., decked out in pink leg warmers, a matching sweatband, and shorts (the 80s, you know?). My product? A perfume called “Physical,” pitched with a very enthusiastic, if slightly off-key, rendition of Olivia Newton-John’s “Let’s Get Physical.” Yes, you read that right. The sheer audacity of a pre-teen using “Olivia Newton John Lets Get Physical” to sell perfume is still mind-boggling. How I survived junior high, I’ll never know.
Image alt: Opera singer Joyce DiDonato in performance, reflecting on her early performance of Olivia Newton John’s “Let’s Get Physical” in junior high.
The point of this embarrassing confession (which, thankfully, my former teacher didn’t recall!) is that looking back, I can clearly trace the steps, missteps, and even those cringe-worthy performances like my “Olivia Newton John Lets Get Physical” spectacle, that led me to where I am today. Every failure, every minor triumph, every humiliation – they’ve collectively built the foundation upon which I still operate. Walking through St Ann’s, working with the current 5th and 6th graders on singing techniques, it all felt connected. Even their enthusiastic, albeit initially cautious, participation in a spontaneous sing-off reminded me of that same youthful eagerness I had, even when belting out “Olivia Newton John Lets Get Physical” in questionable attire.
Image alt: Joyce DiDonato engaging with elementary school students in a music class, highlighting the enthusiasm for music education and performance.
This trip down memory lane also highlighted the incredible support system I had growing up. Not everyone is so fortunate. It’s sobering to consider what might have happened if my youthful passion for singing, even if expressed through an awkward “Olivia Newton John Lets Get Physical” rendition, had been met with bullying instead of encouragement. The news is filled with tragic stories of young people, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, facing unimaginable cruelty. It’s a stark reminder of our responsibility to create supportive environments where self-expression, even if it involves questionable 80s pop song choices, is nurtured, not crushed.
While my 7th-grade performance of “Olivia Newton John Lets Get Physical” might seem worlds away from the serious issues of bullying and acceptance, it’s a personal example of how early experiences, both embarrassing and encouraging, shape us. It underscores the importance of fostering a world where every child feels safe to be themselves, even if “being themselves” involves pink leg warmers and a slightly off-key rendition of an 80s fitness anthem. We need to stop teaching hate, and start encouraging every child to confidently find their own stage, even if it starts with “Olivia Newton John Lets Get Physical.”
Now, if you’ll excuse me, duty calls. I’m off to board a plane for Europe. While I’d rather be cheering on my husband, sometimes you have to answer the call, even if it means leaving the comfort of home behind. But who knows, maybe there’s a karaoke bar in Germany that needs a rendition of “Olivia Newton John Lets Get Physical.” Cheers!
