John Travolta, the celebrated actor, has embraced the role of a devoted father, especially after the passing of his wife, Kelly Preston, in 2020. He has openly expressed his admiration for his daughter, Ella Bleu, now 24, highlighting her admirable qualities.
In a 2019 interview with PEOPLE, Travolta described Ella with immense pride: “She is her own person. She is gracious, generous, poised, graceful and gorgeous. I don’t know how she came to be, and I don’t take any credit other than just adoring her. And maybe that’s a valid contribution.” This statement reflects the deep bond and respect he holds for his daughter as she navigates her own path.
Ella, in turn, deeply admires her father, particularly as she carves her niche in the entertainment industry. “I say he’s my biggest fan, and I’m his biggest fan,” Ella shared with Parade.com. “So there’s a lot of support going on, which is — it’s amazing. I learned so much from him.” Their mutual support system is evident in their collaborations and public appearances.
The father-daughter duo has collaborated on various projects, including memorable Super Bowl commercials and PlayStation advertisements. “I always jump at the opportunity to do something with my dad and we always have the most fun doing something together,” Ella told PEOPLE, emphasizing the joy in their shared endeavors.
On John Travolta’s 70th birthday in February 2024, Ella’s heartfelt Instagram post further showcased their close relationship. “Happy Birthday to the man who is always by my side and who is always bringing light and beauty into this world. I love you to the moon and back,” she wrote. Travolta’s loving reply, “And I always will be Ella my baby girl,” solidified their unbreakable bond in the public eye.
Let’s delve deeper into the life of Ella Bleu Travolta, John Travolta’s daughter, and explore her journey.
From Childhood Dreams to Center Stage
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Ella Bleu Travolta with her father John Travolta, showcasing their close relationship.
Born on April 3, 2000, Ella Bleu Travolta entered the world at her family’s California home. Kelly Preston fondly recalled the birth in Redbook magazine, describing the intimate moment she and John welcomed Ella together. “John put his hands under her arms while she was still halfway in, and I put my hand on his, and we pulled her out together and laid her on my chest,” she recounted, highlighting the magical start to Ella’s life.
Motherhood was a long-cherished dream for Preston. As she shared with Health magazine in 2011, “I’ve always [wanted to be a mother], ever since I was 11.” This deep-seated desire made Ella’s arrival even more special.
A Loving Sisterhood and Family Bonds
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Ella Bleu Travolta with her younger brother Benjamin and father John Travolta, illustrating their family connection.
Ella is a big sister to Benjamin, born in November 2010. The family previously endured the tragic loss of their son Jett in January 2009. Preston’s pregnancy with Benjamin was a “miracle baby” during a time of immense grief. Ella embraced her role as a big sister with enthusiasm. “You would have thought Ella was having Benjamin herself because of her enthusiasm about his arrival — she was elated, to say the least. When she first saw him, she fell in love,” Preston shared with PEOPLE, emphasizing Ella’s loving nature.
Ella and Benjamin share a close bond, evident in Ella’s heartfelt birthday tribute to her younger brother on Instagram in November 2022. “Happy Birthday to the sweetest boy I know❤️🎉🐶 I love you!!!” she wrote, accompanied by a picture of Benjamin with a family dog, showcasing their sibling affection.
Early Passion for Performing
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Ella Bleu Travolta and John Travolta attending an event together, highlighting Ella’s growing presence in the entertainment world.
From a young age, Ella displayed a natural inclination towards the performing arts. “Ever since I was little, I’ve really loved singing and performing — whether it was acting, dancing, singing,” Ella revealed to PEOPLE in 2023, underscoring her diverse artistic interests.
Her childhood was filled with “mandatory” home plays for her parents. Ella reminisced about these early performances: “In our house in Maine we have this stage area set up with a little red curtain and my friends and I would perform there…We did (everything), from the Hulk to Christmas shows and one year we all played different ‘Housewives of Maine’,” These playful beginnings laid the foundation for her future career.
Travolta nurtured her passion, providing her first movie role at a young age. “When she was seven, she said, ‘Daddy, I want to do a movie,’” Travolta recounted on Jimmy Kimmel Live! This led to Ella’s role in Old Dogs (2009), where she acted alongside her father and Robin Williams, marking her entry into professional acting.
A Rising Star in Entertainment
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Ella Bleu Travolta attending Kate Spade Presentation during New York Fashion Week, showcasing her presence in fashion.
Ella has established herself as a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry. Beyond Old Dogs, she starred with her father in The Poison Rose (2019) and secured her first lead role in Get Lost, inspired by Alice in Wonderland.
Her modeling career gained momentum when she walked in Karl Lagerfeld’s show during New York Fashion Week in 2022. Ella has also transformed her love for music into a professional pursuit. “About two years ago at the beginning of the pandemic, I was like, ‘Oh, I have some ideas for songs that I’ve just recorded as voice memos. I should try finishing them,” she shared with PEOPLE, detailing her foray into music.
She has since released songs like “Dizzy” and “No Thank You,” with plans for an EP release. Travolta proudly supports her music career. “He’s really proud, which makes me very happy,” she said. “He really likes the style of music as well. He enjoys listening to it and he will show everyone,” highlighting her father’s unwavering encouragement.
Guidance from Her Father and Mentor
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Ella Bleu Travolta and John Travolta during a Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearance, demonstrating their comfortable rapport.
John Travolta is not only Ella’s father but also a mentor in her entertainment career. While filming The Poison Rose, Travolta admitted to being an enthusiastic stage dad on The Talk in 2019. “I am ridiculous. I’m behind the camera mouthing every word she says, doing her moves,” he confessed, showcasing his dedication to her success.
Ella appreciates his presence and guidance on set. “It actually helped so much knowing that he was there,” she stated. “He would come up in between scenes and then I would know that I had him behind the monitor, just watching, making sure it was good,” emphasizing the comfort and support he provides.
Baking and Family Fun
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Ella Bleu Travolta with her father John Travolta and brother Benjamin, possibly baking together, showing their family activities.
In her leisure time, Ella enjoys baking. During an interview with Access Hollywood in 2019, she mentioned family bake-offs, revealing, “We’re all good at it, but he wins the competitions a lot,” referring to her father’s baking prowess.
Ella even recreated Tom Cruise’s famous coconut bundt cake, impressing her family. Travolta praised her creation in an Instagram video, “It’s delicious, oh my goodness,” while Benjamin enthusiastically enjoyed the cake, highlighting Ella’s baking talents.
An Oprah Encounter and Childhood Memories
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A younger Ella Bleu Travolta with her parents John Travolta and Kelly Preston, capturing a family moment.
During a Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearance in 2019, Ella shared a memorable childhood anecdote involving Oprah Winfrey. “I actually lost my first tooth with Oprah on a boat,” she recounted. “It just happened, and I was really excited. I think I swallowed the tooth.”
Oprah’s long-standing friendship with the Travolta family is well-known. John Travolta was a frequent guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, even famously piloting a plane to take Oprah’s audience to Australia. Their bond is deeply rooted in mutual admiration and respect.
Honoring Her Mother’s Legacy Through Plant-Based Choices
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Ella Bleu Travolta with her mother Kelly Preston, showcasing their close mother-daughter relationship.
Ella paid homage to her mother’s iconic “Got Milk?” ad by participating in Silk Nextmilk’s campaign with a plant-based milk mustache. This tribute mirrored Preston’s 90s ad and highlighted Ella’s plant-based diet. She mentioned her favorite plant-based dish is banana bread and enjoys a morning matcha with dairy-free milk, reflecting her health-conscious lifestyle.
Keeping Kelly Preston’s Memory Alive
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Ella Bleu Travolta and Kelly Preston in a heartwarming photo, emphasizing their loving connection.
Ella was 20 when Kelly Preston passed away in July 2020 after battling breast cancer. Since then, Ella and John Travolta have consistently honored Preston’s memory through social media tributes on occasions like Mother’s Day and her birthday.
In October 2022, Ella shared a touching video montage on Instagram featuring photos with Preston set to “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” On Mother’s Day, she posted a photo of Preston and Travolta with a heartfelt caption, “Happy Mothers Day to the most wonderful, funny, kind, caring, beautiful and brilliant mom a girl could ask for and to the most iconic duo I could ever dream of being raised by. So very thankful and filled with love on this day❤️,” demonstrating her enduring love and respect for her mother.
Exploring the World
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Ella Bleu Travolta pictured during her travels, showcasing her adventurous spirit.
Ella enjoys traveling the world, often accompanied by her father, a licensed pilot. In August 2024, they attended the Paris Olympics, enjoying various sporting events. The previous summer, they explored Japan, and in 2022, they traveled to Iceland, Greece, and Dubai, showcasing their shared love for adventure and exploration.
Celebrating Pulp Fiction’s Anniversary
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Ella Bleu Travolta supporting John Travolta at the Pulp Fiction 30th anniversary event, highlighting their shared entertainment world.
In April 2024, Ella joined her father at the TCM Classic Film Festival in Los Angeles to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pulp Fiction. They participated in a cast reunion with Uma Thurman and Samuel L. Jackson, marking a significant moment in cinematic history and Ella’s support for her father’s iconic work.
Ella Bleu Travolta continues to navigate her multifaceted career while cherishing family bonds and honoring her mother’s lasting legacy. Her journey reflects resilience, talent, and a deep appreciation for her family and heritage.
