When Karen Carpenter spoke about her friendship with Olivia Newton-John, she did so with warmth, humor, and the kind of ease that only comes from years of shared history. Their conversation revealed not a glamorous celebrity bond, but a genuine, lived-in friendship — one shaped by busy schedules, missed lunches, and unforgettable adventures.

Meeting in London, Before Everything Changed

Karen recalled that their friendship began long before Olivia became a permanent presence in the U.S. music scene.

“We met in Annabel’s in London,” Karen said, laughing at how far back it went.
“It’s a long time… ten years.”

The meeting took place before Olivia had even moved overseas, grounding their relationship in a time when both were still finding their footing — professionally and personally.

Close, Even When Life Gets in the Way

Asked whether they saw each other often, Karen answered with a knowing smile.

“As often as we can,” she explained. “We’ll make lunch plans, then get a call saying, ‘I can’t make it.’ Then we try Friday… and it goes on like that.”

Despite the constant rescheduling, Karen summed it up simply:
“Eventually we know each other very well.”

It was a portrait of friendship not measured in frequency, but in familiarity.

The Catalina Boat Trip They Never Forgot

One of the most memorable stories Karen shared was a boating trip to Catalina — a plan that sounded idyllic and quickly turned into comedy, chaos, and camaraderie.

Since Karen had recently married, her husband’s large boat became the setting for a long-awaited getaway. What was meant to be a relaxing trip soon became an adventure neither woman would forget.

“Oh, she was green and I was blue,” Karen joked, describing the seasickness that hit them both.

While others on board were happily diving, Karen and Olivia were sprawled out, recovering — until things took an unexpected turn.

“We Broke the Drive Shaft”

As the boat began moving in circles, Karen tried to stay calm — until the truth emerged.

“We broke the drive shaft.”

With no steering and worsening conditions, they limped back into Avalon just as evening set in. Flights were no longer possible. Staying on the boat wasn’t an option.

That left only one choice: a hotel.

A Long Night and a Lot of Laughter

What followed was a night that Karen described as a throwback to the early days of touring — cramped rooms, exhaustion, and plenty of humor.

“There were cockroaches,” Karen admitted, half-laughing, half-horrified. “I kind of slept like this all night.”

Olivia, changing clothes and equally worn out, shared the experience with good humor. By morning, they escaped the island — tired, relieved, and with yet another story to add to their shared history.

A Friendship Built on Real Life

What made Karen and Olivia’s friendship special wasn’t glamour or constant togetherness. It was the shared understanding of life on the road, the absurd moments between performances, and the ability to laugh when things went wrong.

Their conversation revealed a bond grounded in trust, patience, and affection — a friendship t

In the end, Karen’s stories weren’t about fame or success. They were about missed lunches, br

And sometimes, that’s the truest measure of a long friendship.

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