Entertainment TV Julianne Hough on What Olivia Newton-John 'Really' Thinks of Her 'Grease' Role "It's huge that I got her blessing," Hough tells PEOPLE By Patrick Gomez Patrick Gomez Patrick Gomez is the Editor in Chief/General Manager of Entertainment Weekly. Formerly at People magazine and The A.V. Club, the Critics Choice and Television Critics Association member has appeared on 'Today,' 'Extra!,' 'Access Hollywood,' 'E! News,' 'CNN,' and 'Nightline,' and can be seen frequently on 'Good Morning America.' Follow the Texas Native at @PatrickGomezLA wherever your media is social for all things 'For All Mankind' 'Top Chef,' and puppy related. People Editorial Guidelines Published on January 20, 2016 09:00 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Fox; Inset:Paramount Pictures Look at her, she’s Sandra Dee! Julianne Hough admits she feels a lot of pressure going into Fox’s upcoming live production of Grease, but she’s taking a lot of pride in the stamp of approval she’s received from former Sandy Olivia Newton-John. “It’s huge that I got her blessing,” Hough, 27, says in the current issue of PEOPLE of Newton-John, who starred opposite John Travolta in the 1978 film version of the musical. Hough, 27, got the chance to chat Newton-John, 67, in October when the Australian actress and singer guest-judged alongside her on Dancing with the Stars. “She’s exactly who you hope she would be – so awesome and supportive,” Hough says of Newton-John. • For more from Hough – including why she’s in no rush to wed fiancé Brooks Laich – pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday Stepping into Sandy’s iconic sneakers (and red-hot heels) has been a life-long dream for Hough. RELATED VIDEO: Get an Exclusive Sneak Peek at Julianne Hough in Grease: Live! “ Grease was the first movie that I saw that I realized you could sing and dance and act all in the same movie,” she says. But don’t expect her to present be a carbon copy of Newton-John’s performance when she goes live Jan. 31 on Fox. She has specific moments in the film, like ‘Tell me about it, stud,’ where I know people will be disappointed if I don’t say it like she did with her inflection,” she says. “But for the most part, I am doing my own thing.” Grease: Live airs Sunday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. ET on Fox.