Didi Conn is immortalised on-screen with her iconic head of pink curls in Grease - and 48 years on from starring as Pink Lady and beauty school dropout Frenchy in the hit musical movie, the 74-year-old has revisited her role for a nostalgic new beauty brand advert.
The star, who also appeared on the sitcom Happy Days, was transported back to the set of Grease as she slipped into a pink 50s inspired dress and a necklace of pearls in a nod to her character's memorable dream sequence. In the original film, Frankie is serenaded by actor Frankie Avalon, who croons Beauty School Dropout in a bid to get the aspiring beautician to return to high school.
In the new ad, Didi has found a new guardian angel.
Back to her roots
"You might remember when I famously dropped out of beauty school. I thought my life and my hair was ruined and I'd have to spend eternity making expensive salon appointments," Didi, who has partnered with Laura Geller Beauty to promote a root touch-up product, said. While the actress had her dark locks styled in a straight bob, a pink wig was set up in the background on a mannequin for Grease fans to spot.
When a new guardian angel and backup angels in silver dresses and curlers showed up on a staircase, just like in the famous film sequence, Didi cried out: "Oh, not this again."
"That's enough. I don't need you anymore," she said before the group could burst out in song.
© Instagram/ @lauragellerbeauty"Wait 'til the Ladies hear about this!" she exclaimed at the end of the clip.
Fans couldn't contain their excitement at seeing the actress returning to her roots nearly five decades later – and looking just as fabulous. "She still has her beautiful smile! She was my favorite Pink Lady," one person commented. "She looks exactly the same!!" another said, while others said she looked "terrific" and had "aged like fine wine".
In a second clip, Didi looked incredible in a pink suit jacket and trousers while handing out the new beauty product in New York.
Grease reunion
In July last year, Didi reunited on stage with John Travolta for a special sing-along to honour their late Grease co-star, Olivia Newton-John, who died in August 2022 after a long battle with breast cancer.
The last time I hosted the Sing-Along at the Bowl was in 2018. John Travolta couldn’t make it, but he said “Let me know the next time it happens, I want to come!”. So when the date was set this year, I called him and told him that we were going to dedicate this Sing-Along to honour Olivia. John said he would try to be there," Didi shared behind-the-scenes details on Instagram of how the reunion came together.
"It was so meaningful to me that we all came together to honour our dear friend Olivia, who we miss and love so much," she added.
Didi had remained in touch with her co-star Olivia after their first meeting on the set of Grease in 1978. While remembering the late star in HELLO!'s Breast Cancer Awareness Month digital issue in September 2022, Didi said: "Olivia and I were in close touch and she was so grateful for every day."
She described the actress as "so loving, spiritual, and very brave."
