Donny Osmond has had a long and very successful career. From the beginning with The Osmonds, which made him a global star, to working with sister Marie and later as a solo artist, it seemed like nothing could stop him. Though, as rumors about a feud with his sister, Marie, spread across the internet, Donny would eventually have more significant issues to take care of.
The singer had back and neck surgeries, and while recovering, he got an infection and had to learn how to walk again.
Now, Osmond is back on his feet. However despite having health issues in the last number of years – as well as sharing devastating news that he has to cancel some shows in Las Vegas – it seems like he has no plan to stop. At least not for now, as he appears to have a “mind-blowing” plan for the future. Sadly, it doesn’t involve reuniting with his brother.
Becoming a celebrity is one of the biggest dreams for many children growing up – and most likely also a dream that many carry into adulthood. While it comes with celebrity status, wealth, fancy events, traveling, the ability to buy a big house, and being recognized everywhere you go, it also has another side.
Many celebrities have testified that one of the few things they wish is to walk down the street without being recognized or just head to the store to buy a gallon of milk. Moreover, for many, the pressure of always performing at your best – especially when it comes to artists – can be dreadful and, in the end, could lead to horrible consequences.
Donny Osmond – early life
Some celebrities might wish they had gotten their “old life” back, but that doesn’t apply to Donny Osmond.
The performer became a celebrity as a young child, meaning he has spent his entire life in the spotlight. Although he has lived through some challenging times, Osmond has conquered all obstacles and made it out on the other side as a winner. Today, he has a beautiful wife, five children, and 14(!) grandchildren. However, the youngest ones don’t quite understand what their grandpa is up to.
Today, Donny Osmond is 65 years of age, and in the last number of years, there’s been a debate about whether he ever would be able to perform again due to some extensive surgeries. Now, the legendary performer gives a new update on his future, which might upset some fans.
Donny Osmond hadn’t even turned six before he was a professional entertainer. Born in Ogden, Utah, on December 9, 1957, right away, he and his older siblings rose to fame as the Osmond Brothers. They became a regular act on The Andy Williams Show – and the family decided to move to Los Angeles to give the children the best chance of becoming stars.
“It was a hugely exciting time for us all. I joined the Osmonds when I was a few days short of my sixth birthday. Marie and Jimmy came along after me and were also added to the singing roster. I think my parents did an incredible job of raising such a large family in what rapidly became a hugely successful show-business family,” Donny told The Guardian
“I grew up real fast, real young. Normality to us was rehearsing hard on new routines and performing on TV shows, plus tours and other performances, with schoolwork via home tutoring squeezed around that schedule,” he continued. “At home, away from the public eye, I’d go to my room and read and build stuff with electronics. I was always curious, inquisitive, wanting to learn how things worked.”
‘Donny & Marie’
While Donny and his brothers performed all over the country, their younger sister, Marie, was becoming a star herself.
In 1973, at only 14 years of age, she released her first single, Paper Roses, which would become a huge success.
The song sent her to the top of the top of the charts. She became the No. 1 US country hit and reached the Top 5 on the Billboard magazine pop chart. Still a teenager, Marie was also a European star, with Paper Roses reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart.
By 1976, The Osmonds were no longer producing hit singles but had already released 16 albums.
When Marie became Donny’s duet partner, a new popularity emerged that would catapult the young brother-sister duo to international stardom.
When the siblings started performing together, teenage idol Donny’s face was on almost every newspaper. That in itself took its toll on Donny, who was forced to deal with a tremendous amount of pressure.
In 1976, the two Osmonds transitioned into television thanks to the rise of the variety show Donny & Marie. At that time, Marie noticed something was wrong with her brother. She thought it was stress symptoms. But it was actually serious mental health problems.
Later, Donny would reveal that he struggled with mental health issues during his career. That’s perhaps not so surprising considering the ridiculous level of fame he and his sister lived with.
He once explained that he was rushed to the hospital in agony following a show wherein he had developed tremendous abdominal pains. Once there, he underwent surgery, but it didn’t take long before he was back on track.
‘Grandpa’ Donny Osmond
Now, more than 50 years later, Donny Osmond is still going strong despite some recent setbacks.
He began dating his wife, Debbie, when he was only 19 – despite his father warning him that it could hurt his career. To this day, the two are still together. They have welcomed five children and 14 grandchildren. Speaking with People Magazine, Donny recalled their reaction to watching him perform in Las Vegas in 2021.
It’s safe to say it was very special.
“Just before the show started, I’m wrestling with them on the ground, playing with them. But it’s really interesting what takes place is that after the show, they treat you a little bit differently,” Osmond recalled. “Especially the young ones [were like], ‘Wait a minute, is that grandpa out there?’ And then when I come back and they just can’t quite put two and two together that, ‘Grandpa was the one on stage and now he’s wrestling with me.’ It was kind of interesting.”
The star added that he usually tries to take “a back seat” when they join for big family gatherings. For example, when watching season 2 of Claim to Fame, which his son, Chris Osmond, was participating in.
“I consciously make an effort to take a back seat and just be grandpa, not a celebrity, not the head of the house with my wife, none of that. It’s just like grandpa’s in the corner playing with the grandkids. That’s what I like to do,” he told People.
In 2008, Donny and Marie announced their new joint residency at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The show ran for 11 years, featuring a total of 1,730(!) performances. Sadly, in 2019, Donny and Marie decided it was time to move on. Reports of a family feud were all over the newspapers, but that was shut down as the two reunited on stage in a very emotional moment last year.
Donny Osmond feared he was never going to walk again
While some argued that the reported family feud was why the two didn’t perform together for three years, there was one other significant and severe reason why that happened.
When Donny and Marie left the Las Vegas stage for the last time during their residency in 2019, the now 65-year-old immediately realized something was wrong.
“I couldn’t feel my arms, then suddenly my legs too,” he told the Mirror. “I didn’t tell anyone what was happening to me……I just kept dancing and finished the show.”
Osmond went to his doctor, and it turned out that it was a problem that he had coming; his spine had shifted due partly to injuries sustained when he won the 2009 season of Strictly Come Dancing. He underwent back and neck surgery, and everything seemed okay at the time. However, what came next would be a shock.
Donny Osmond had no idea that the rehab and recovery would take months. He went back to his Utah home, where he spent a lengthy period relearning how to walk.
“I thought everything was going to be fine, but it couldn’t have been worse,” Donny explained. “I got a secondary infection which meant I wasn’t able to move.”
The rehabilitation took Donny several months, and he had to rely on a walking frame to get around. He became increasingly worried that he would never be able to walk again.
“It absolutely crossed my mind. But I just didn’t take no for an answer,” he told the Mirror.
Donny and his brothers became stars overnight. Though, in recent years their relationship hasn’t been at its best. In 2018, the youngest brother, Jimmy, revealed his famous family had drifted apart and barely saw each other.
Donny Osmond rules out reunion with his brothers
Some months ago, Donny Osmond joined his brother Merrill and other family members to celebrate Merrill and his wife’s church mission, but other than that, it’s been relatively quiet around the Osmond brothers.
Sadly, that will probably stay the same even though fans hope to see them together on stage again. Speaking with the Express, Osmond opened up about a possible reunion tour with his brothers – and it’s not going to happen.
“With my brothers? I don’t think so, everyone is pretty much retired,” he said.
While he and Marie reunited on stage for a short performance last year, Donny said he didn’t see her and Marie doing another show in the future.
“We won’t produce something like we did at the Flamingo because we’re both going off in separate careers,” he said on the Just Trish podcast.
“She loves doing her thing and I love doing mine. But you never say never in this business. There might be something temporary but not permanent like in the old days. I don’t see that happening.”
It’s safe to say that Donny Osmond doesn’t have to continue performing to put food on the table. He reportedly has a net worth of around $18 million, but his passion for music will never fade.
Donny Osmond cancels shows – shares “mind-blowing” plans for the future
Speaking on the Just Trish podcast, Donny explained that he has “mind-blowing” plans for the future and doesn’t know what retirement means.
The keywords for him going forward are ‘Artificial Intelligence’, as he has “amazing stuff happening.”
“What I can do with that technology is going to blow your mind, because it’s blowing my mind,” Donny Osmond said, adding that he hopes to go on “forever.”
Donny Osmond is back on stage. However, he now shares heartbreaking news that he has canceled two shows of his long-awaited new Las Vegas residency due to illness.
“I am heartbroken to let you know that I will be canceling tonight and tomorrow’s shows at Harrah’s Las Vegas due to illness,” the 65-year-old wrote in a statement on September 27.
“The health and safety of everyone on stage and attending the show is the number one priority,” he added.
Osmond has not disclosed what kind of illness. However, he decided to “apologise” for any inconvenience and told his fans he “appreciated” their understanding.
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