John Travolta has had a decades-spanning career, but it’s hard to forget him as Danny Zuko in “Grease”—the black-haired stud who broke the hearts of women all over the world. After marrying fellow actor Kelly Preston, who herself was a bombshell of her time, the couple had daughter Ella Bleu Travolta back in 2000.
Well, it’s no surprise then to find out that Ella Bleu is absolutely gorgeous, taking from both her mom and her dad—coming after them not only in the looks department but also in their career!
Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta (1978) (Stephane Cardinale/Corbis Entertainment/Getty Images)
John Travolta has been in the spotlight since the 1970s, having graced the screen in many classic movies, including “Grease” and “Saturday Night Fever,” through to his famed comeback in the 1990s in “Pulp Fiction“, “Get Shorty,” “Face/Off”, and many more. His late wife Kelly Preston, who tragically passed away from breast cancer at the age of 57 in July 2020 was also a well-known actress, starring in such movies as “Jerry Maguire” and “For the Love of the Game.”
In fact, the couple met through their work as actors on the set of their 1987 film “The Experts.” Although Preston was married to someone else, she said in a 2018 interview she “was really with the wrong person” at the time. Her marriage couldn’t stop the love from growing, though. The couple started spending more time together and soon enough Preston and Travolta married in 1991 and had babies on their minds. Over the following years their children Jett, Ella Bleu, and Benjamin were born. Tragically, however, Jett Travolta passed away in 2009 at the age of 16 due to an unexpected seizure and resulting fall. The couple was devasted at the loss of their firstborn. John Travolta later described his teenage son’s death as “the worst thing that’s ever happened in my life”.
John Travolta, Kelly Preston (2018) (Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty Images)
Despite the tragedies the family has endured, John Travolta, Ella Bleu, and Benjamin appear very close, particularly father and daughter. Ella, now 20-years-old, has followed in her famous parents’ footsteps and begun working as an actress. And considering her stunning looks—coming from both of her parents—it’s no surprise Ella Bleu wants to work in show business. Speaking with People last year, she stated:
“Since I was very little, I’ve loved performing, singing, dancing, and putting on shows at home for my family and friends.”
She already made her acting debut all the way back in 2009 in the movie “Old Dogs,” which also starred both of her parents, as well as Robin Williams. According to Newsner, Ella Bleu had told Celebrity Pulse: “It was awesome to act with my parents in my first movie, it made it a lot easier.” Since then she’s starred with her father once more, in the movie “The Poison Rose.” The father-daughter duo’s working relationship seems to be a very positive and good one.
John Travolta (2019) (Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images)
She also has just as much love for her father as he for her, sharing a heartwarming message for him on Father’s Day in June. Alongside a photo of the two of them dressed up as John Travolta holds a martini, Ella Bleu captioned the picture:
“One of the many things I admire most about you is that you never cease to love and help your fellows. You are gracious and selfless and that inspires me to be a better person everyday. Thank you for raising me with so much love and kindness. I am forever thankful to have you in my life and I love you so much. Happy Fathers Day Daddy!!!❤️❤️❤️”
Most recently Ella Bleu shared a birthday post for her younger brother Benjamin Travolta, who just turned 10 years old on November 23. The gorgeous photo showed him smiling on a boat, to which Ella Bleu wrote the caption:
“Happy Birthday Benjamin!!!! To the sweetest boy in the world, I am so lucky to have you in my life. Even though I am your older sister, you continue to teach me so much every day. You are my best friend and I love you to the moon and back. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️”
John Travolta (2018) (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
In 2019, Ella appeared in a joint interview with her dad on Jimmy Kimmel Live, in which the up-and-coming actor spoke to guest host Lena Waithe about growing up with famous parents. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 20-year-old had some interesting stories to tell. Growing up on sets, Ella explained that she had met multiple famous figures throughout her life – even Oprah.
“I actually lost my first tooth with Oprah on a boat,” Ella revealed with a giggle. “I guess [she was a tooth fairy,] you know, it just happened. I was really excited. I think I swallowed the tooth.”
While that might not have been ideal, the young Travolta assured Waithe that she “still got money under [her] pillow.” The young star also revealed that while her father might be regarded as the “King of Cool,” he can – just like most dads – have some pretty “uncool” moments.
“There was one time that, actually, [actor] Taylor Lautner was coming over to the house, and I was just – I loved him,” Ella narrated. “And my friends and I were looking up pictures of him and just, sort of researching him […] and [John Travolta] knew that.” Naturally, Travolta did what any dad would do: he embarrassed his daughter in front of her celebrity crush. “The first thing he says to them [upon arrival] is ‘Oh, Ella was just looking you guys up on the internet.'”
Kelly Preston, John Travolta (Pool GARCIA/PAT/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images)
Travolta was quick to defend his action. “You know a father’s point of view is, you know, Ella really loves Taylor Lautner, wouldn’t he be flattered that Ella is looking him up?” While his thought process might have been light-hearted, Waithe agreed with Ella that it wasn’t the ‘coolest’ way to go about it. Luckily, Lautner found it funny. However, that didn’t stop Ella from going “bright red.”
Travolta also elaborated on what it was like starring in “The Poison Rose” alongside his daughter and fellow Hollywood legend, Morgan Freeman. He praised Ella for her natural skill and talent, saying, “her ideas, like [Waihe’s] come very quick, and they come to fruition very easily.” According to the doting dad, Ella has something of a gift when it comes to going after her dreams.
“When she was seven, she said ‘daddy, I want to do a movie.’ And a week later, that [Old Dogs] script with Robin [Williams] came on my plate. Now she turned 18 last year, and said to me ‘daddy, I think I’m ready to go back to movies’ and boom! A week later, this Morgan Freeman script came on my desk and I said, ‘honey, we’re on!'”
Ella Bleu, John Travolta, Kelly Preston (2011) (Michael Doven/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images)
Speaking with People, Ella Bleu described asking her famous father for help while on set: “It helped so much having my dad there. It was so comforting and he’s the best mentor ever.” In the past, she’s been lucky to have both of her parents to go to for acting advice. After her mother’s passing, only her father remains. In the same article, People notes that Ella Bleu has previously said:
“When I have any questions, my mom and dad have the best advice, and that’s amazing… I love that it’s sort of the family business!”
After being asked her favorite movies that her parents have acted in—which is an impressive collection to choose from, including many great hits and classics—Ella Bleu told the magazine:
“Oh my gosh, all of them are absolutely amazing, so that’s really hard (to pick), but some of my top favorites of my dad’s are “From Paris with Love”, and obviously Grease,” while her favorites from Preston’s filmography are “The Cat in the Hat” and “What a Girl Wants.”
Many fans will certainly share her feeling; it is incredibly hard to choose which of all these wonderful films are the best. Continuing on about her own decision to take up acting, Ella Bleu went on to add: “Whatever I would have chosen to do they would have supported me. But they’re really proud of me for (acting)…and that makes me proud too!”
Sadly her mom won’t have the chance to see Ella’s career blossom, after her untimely death in July of 2020. John Travolta was the one to share the tragic news with the world following Preston’s two year “courageous fight” against breast cancer, which she’d kept away from the public. Sadly, despite the efforts of all medical professionals involved as well as her own determination, cancer won in the end. Writing on Instagram, Travolta said:
“It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many. My family and I will forever be grateful to her doctors and nurses at MD Anderson Cancer Center, all the medical centers that have helped, as well as her many friends and loved ones who have been by her side. Kelly’s love and life will always be remembered.”
John Travolta, Ella Travolta (2010) (Randi Sidman-Moore/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
He went on to say that he’d be taking time off to be there for kids Ella Bleu and Benjamin as they all mourned Preston’s passing:
“I will be taking some time to be there for my children who have lost their mother, so forgive me in advance if you don’t hear from us for a while. But please know that I will feel your outpouring of love in the weeks and months ahead as we heal. All my love, JT”
Since then, Travolta has limited his posts on Instagram, but when he has posted, it’s often in honor of his family. In August he shared a video of him dancing with Ella Bleu in honor of his late wife. He explained why they were dancing in the video, writing:
“My daughter @ella.travolta and I dancing in memory of momma. One of Kelly’s favorite things, dancing with me.”
Kelly Preston, Benjamin Travolta, John Travolta, Ella Travolta (2018) (Foc Kan/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
Ella Bleu has her own social media presence, boasting over 375,000 followers. As a typical Gen Zer, Ella Bleu posts all sorts of content, but her family has a very strong presence on her social media feed. She often posts photos of herself and her family enjoying their time together and having fun, showing how close their bond really is. When her mother Kelly Preston passed away, Ella Bleu shared a touching tribute on Instagram. Accompanied by a beautiful photo of Preston, Ella Bleu wrote:
“I have never met anyone as courageous, strong, beautiful and loving as you. Anyone who is lucky enough to have known you or to have ever been in your presence will agree that you have a glow and a light that never ceases to shine and that makes anyone around you feel instantly happy. Thank you for being there for me no matter what. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your help and thank you for making this world a better place. You have made life so beautiful and I know you will continue to do so always. I love you so much mama.”
The Travolta family is clearly one close-knit clan, and in times of mourning like this, that will be the best thing to help them through. Despite all of their tragic losses in the last years, they’ve shown themselves to be there for each other and that’s all that matters. It’s clear that Ella Bleu is very close to her family and takes after her mom not only in her gorgeous looks but also in her kind spirit. We look forward to seeing her acting career blossom as she grows up even more beautiful, inside and out. We’re certain she is making her parents proud.
Ella Bleu Travolta (2019) (Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)
Do you think John Travolta and Kelly Preston’s daughter is a gorgeous mix of the two of them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and pass this story on to anyone you know who is a fan of theirs!
