WHO Weekly 26/5/97: She's the one that they want. Xena's Lucy Lawless takes a break from Warrior Princess duties to act '50s tough in Grease!

WHO Weekly 16/2/98: "Who could have expected this kind of success?" ponders Auckland-based Lawless, 29, of her astral trajectory as Xena, history's most bodacious barbarian.  "My daughter [Daisy, 9] tries to pretend that Mum being Xena is a bit of a burden," says the 1.78m divorcee (she's engaged to Xena producer Rob Tapert).  "But I think she truly loves it."  So do millions of fans in more than 50 countries where the NZ-filmed show airs.  Last year, the Kiwi also proved that she could carry a tune as gracefully as a sword, leaving the forest to star as - who else - tough chick Rizzo in the Broadway production of Grease.  Still, Xena remains Lawless's signature character.  "People are attracted to her masculine bent," says the actress.  "Finally a woman you can have a beer with."  THE BUZZ  Just don't try to arm wrestle her for that beer.  WATCH HER Battling evil forces on Ten from Feb. 14.