All About Frankie Valli’s Granddaughter and Wicked Star Olivia Valli

Between his band and successful solo career, Frankie Valli is one of the most beloved singers of the last century — and his granddaughter Olivia Valli is following in his footsteps, cultivating a career as a singer and actress.

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons are known for hits like “Walk Like a Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” The cult falsetto has six children and two grandchildren, including Olivia.

Frankie’s life got the Broadway treatment — he and the Four Seasons are the basis of a Broadway musical Jersey Boys, which won four Tony Awards in 2005. In fact, Olivia once appeared in an off-Broadway production of the show, appearing as her own grandmother.

Frankie Valli and the music star’s granddaughter Olivia about their shared love of performing — and pasta

In 2021, Olivia headlined the cast of the national touring production Pretty Woman: The Musical. From May 2023, she plays Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in a national tour evil, having previously understudied the role several years ago.

“Time to try defying gravity full time,” she captioned an Instagram photo of herself, 7, dressed as a witch. “This is for you little witch. If only you knew what was in store for you. Aren’t you happy it turned out the way it did?”

But who is Olivia Valli? Here’s what you need to know about her relationship with grandfather Frankie Valli and her career on stage.

She’s acting Wicked

Olivia Valli on Instagram

From May 2023, Olivia is starring in a national tour Wicked in the main role of Elphaba.

Just a few days after her debut, she posted a photo of herself in full costume. “Everyone deserves a chance to fly,” she wrote, quoting lines from the show. “These texts mean much more to me now. I go to work every day with immense gratitude. Thank you for giving me the chance to fly again @wicked_musical.”

This is not her first time entering Wicked. From 2016 to 2019, Olivia stood in for Elphabi on the national tour, according to Playbill.

One night, Frankie surprised her by attending a performance. Below the photo of her and her grandfather on Wicked phase, she wrote: “My cheeks still hurt because I laughed so much. There were also so many tears of happiness. Having my grandfather come to see the show was the best surprise I could have ever wished for.”

She played Vivian in Pretty Woman: The Musical

Olivia Valli on Instagram

When Pretty Woman: The Musical went on a national tour in 2022, Olivia starred as Vivian — the character made famous by Julia Roberts in the 1990 film — opposite Lease star Adam Pascal, who played Edward. It was her first major lead role, and she relied on her roots to find her character.

“I’ll give him more than Jersey,” she said DC Theater Arts in 2022. “I’m a naturally funny person and I like to use humor to cope or overcome difficult situations, so that’s what I’m up for.”

She played her own grandmother on stage

Olivia Valli on Instagram

Olivia’s big break happened in 2019 when she was cast in none other than Jersey Boys — and not in any role. She played her own grandmother, Mary Delgado, in the off-Broadway production of the series. Delgado was Frankie’s first wife.

“I am so excited to honor my family by playing my grandmother Jersey Boys“, Olivia announced on Instagram. “Can’t thank @jerseyboysbroadway enough for this once in a lifetime opportunity. Family is everything.”

Frankie Valli’s Dating History: From Mary Ann Hannigan to Jackie Jacobs

Her proud grandfather was stunned to hear the news. “I was blown away. I couldn’t believe it,” Frankie told PEOPLE. “But I saw Olivia do the show when she was still at school before she turned pro, and I knew she was there. She just needed that opportunity.”

He has a long musical lineage

Olivia is the daughter of Frankie’s daughter Antonija “Toni” Valli and Gerry Polci, who was once the drummer of the Four Seasons. “I saw him for the first time when I was 15,” Toni said The New York Times 1995. “I fell in love with him the first time I saw him. My father was delighted with him as a drummer – the best he had ever heard, he said.”

Her first memory is of Frankie’s performance

oliviafvalli/Instagram

Olivia didn’t always know her grandfather was famous – but she learned it at a very young age when she first saw him perform. “My first memory – a big memory – was at an outdoor concert hall in Jersey. I think it was PNC [Bank Arts Center]and I was just jumping,” Olivia told PEOPLE in 2022.

“I said, ‘Wow, my grandpa, he’s a really good singer. This is so cool.’ Then I turned around and just saw this wave of people because we were relatively close to the front,” she recalled. “And I said, ‘Oh, he’s a really big deal. Oh my God.’ … And I turned to my mom, and I said, ‘Mom, is Grandpa famous?’ And she said, ‘Yes.’ ”

She and her grandfather have a special bond

At home with his family, “he’s actually a big joker,” Olivia told PEOPLE of her grandfather. “He likes to be silly and he just likes to make people laugh. … He was just laughing all the time and telling stories, how to make good gravy, stuff like that.”

The love for Italian food is something they have in common. “I love lobster ravioli — sign me up! Vodka penne, shrimp scampi,” Olivia said. As for Frankie: “I love eggplant, and I love pasta and lentils, and pasta and peas. I could eat pasta every day if I had my way.”

Frankie admires her work ethic

Olivia Valli on Instagram

Her famous grandfather says he sees the same passion and dedication in Olivia that he has himself. “Her work effort is incredible and she is dedicated to what she does,” he said. “I’m about the same way.”

He believes that there are not too many performances. “If you love what you do, you never get enough of it,” Frankie told PEOPLE in 2008.

He sees performances as a family legacy

Olivia Valli on Instagram

When the Valli family came to see Olivia as a replacement for Elphaba Wickedthe young actress was moved. “I felt like this was the best way to honor our lineage and the fact that we have that voice that runs through our family,” she told PEOPLE. “We love what we do so much, so I’m making a mark in our family as well.”

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Source: HIS Education