Donny Osmond achieved superstardom at a young age as part of the legendary musical group The Osmonds. However, behind the scenes of the band's meteoric rise was the unwavering influence of their family patriarch, George Osmond.
George Osmond: The Driving Force Behind The Osmonds' Success
Back in the day, George Osmond wasn’t just a dad—he was a taskmaster with a military mindset. "The work ethic my father instilled in us was second to none," Donny, now 66, reminisced in MTV Entertainment Studios’ Larger Than Life: Reign of the Boybands documentary. He went on to explain, "I remember as a tiny little kid, watching my brothers huddled in front of that piano, practicing and learning their parts until they were perfect. My dad was an army sergeant, and that discipline carried over into how he raised us. Honestly, I never wanted to let my father down."Read also:Whats Happening With Swat On Cbs
The Osmonds' Grind Never Stopped
Even after the Osmonds hit the big time, their dad kept the pressure on. "When we finally made it big, my father didn’t celebrate or slow down," Donny explained. "He just said, ‘Back to the rehearsal hall. Learn a new number. Keep this engine going.’ Having such a strong father figure was crucial for our success, but sometimes it could get a little overwhelming."Comparing the Osmonds to the Jackson 5
Donny often draws parallels between his own experience and that of Michael Jackson, who was also part of a legendary family band, the Jackson 5. "If you look at the Osmonds and the Jackson 5, the similarities are uncanny," Donny said. "Both families had nine children. Mike and I were both the seventh child of nine. Our moms even shared the same birthday, and Michael and I are the same age. It’s like fate brought us together."Show Business and the Importance of Family
Reflecting on his career, Donny acknowledges the dangers of the entertainment industry. "You know, show business can be brutal, whether you’re a solo artist or part of a boy band," he shared. "I don’t think I could have survived it all without the support of my family. They were my rock."A Special Bond with Michael Jackson
Donny cherishes the time he spent with Michael Jackson, knowing that they both understood the unique challenges of growing up in the spotlight. "Michael and I would get together and just laugh about the crazy comparisons and similarities between our lives," Donny recalled. "One day, Michael said something to me that really stuck. He said, ‘Donny, you’re the only person on this planet who knows what my childhood was like.’ That moment meant so much to me."
This wasn’t the first time Donny spoke about his friendship with Michael. He recalled their final conversation before Michael's untimely passing on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50. "I asked him, ‘Mike, where are you?’ He said, ‘I can’t tell you.’ I pressed him, ‘Mike, come on. You can trust me. Where are you?’ He finally admitted, ‘Please don’t tell anyone, but I’m in Phoenix. I rented a tour bus, brought my kids, and we drove to Phoenix. I’m hiding right now,’” Donny shared during a February 2022 interview with Page Six.
“I told him, ‘It’s a nine-hour drive to my home in Utah. Let your kids come swim with mine. You and my wife can have a great chat, and I’ll bring some normalcy into your life,’” Donny added. “He said, ‘I really need that right now.’ But sadly, he never took me up on the offer.”
Larger Than Life: Reign of the Boybands is now streaming on Paramount+.
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