Let me tell you a story about Donny Osmond. Back on February 13, 1971, Donny was glued to the radio, waiting for the Top 40 countdown. When he heard the intro of the Osmonds' hit, "One Bad Apple," hit number one, he couldn’t contain his excitement. "My brothers and I were screaming our heads off!" Donny recalls to Closer. "We were number one! It’s a moment I will always cherish. I’m getting chills remembering it right now." It was a moment of pure joy, and one that Donny will never forget.
From Teen Idol to Las Vegas Sensation
Donny Osmond, now 65, has had an incredible career spanning six decades. He’s been a teen idol, a pop star, a TV host, a Broadway star, and a major attraction in Las Vegas. And guess what? He’s still going strong! After wrapping up his residency at Harrah’s Las Vegas in May, he’s hitting the road for his first North American tour in seven years. "Everything I’ve done in show business is in this show," Donny explains. "It’s six decades in 90 minutes. It’s like a musical journey through my life."
The Show That Spans Six Decades
So, your entire public life is represented in your new show?
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Donny’s new show is a celebration of his entire career. "This show spans from the beginning of my career to the present. That’s the exciting concept of it," he says. One of the coolest parts of the show is a segment called "the Request." "Anyone can request any song I’ve ever recorded, and we will perform it," Donny explains. "It’s incredibly complicated technically, but very simple on the outside. It keeps the show fresh and exciting because it changes every night."
From Hits to Obscure Tracks
That’s a lot of material. Would you even sing something obscure like “Old Man Auctioneer” off your 1976 album ‘Disco Train’?
Believe it or not, someone recently requested "Old Man Auctioneer," and Donny and his band pulled it off. "That album — just stop!" Donny laughs. "But we did it. It’s fun for us and keeps everyone on their toes because the show changes every night. It’s a challenge, but that’s what makes it exciting."
The Energy and Effort Behind the Show
It must take an unbelievable amount of energy.
"It does take a lot of energy," Donny admits. "It’s pretty funny. Somebody recently asked me, ‘How long did it take you to put this show together?’ And I said, ‘Sixty years.’ [Laughs] It feels odd to say it’s been six decades because I’m only 65. But that’s what happens when you start when you’re 5. This show is the culmination of a lifetime of work and passion."
Facing the Challenge of a Solo Residency
You and your sister, Marie Osmond, had a tremendous 11-year run in Las Vegas. Was it scary to start a new residency as a solo act?
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Starting a solo residency in Las Vegas was a huge risk for Donny. "It was very risky to come back by myself to see if I could do it again on my own," he says. "But we just got award after award, so the show is working. It’s been a tremendous success, and I’m so grateful for the support of my fans."
Family and Legacy
If the opportunity ever presented itself, would you perform with your family members again?
Donny’s brothers are mostly retired, and while he and Marie might not do another residency like they did at the Flamingo, he’s happy with where he is now. "This is the crème de la crème show for me," he says. "Where do I go from here? This is my focus, and it’s working. People love the show. The reception has been absolutely amazing."
I bet a lot of younger fans don’t realize how long you’ve been a performer.
Donny has been a household name for decades, but younger fans might not realize just how long he’s been in the spotlight. "People know me from different moments in my life," he says. "Depending on the generation, I’m known for specific things, like Dancing With the Stars, The Masked Singer, The Donny and Marie Show, or The Andy Williams Show. Recently, a young fan didn’t even realize I was Capt. Shang from Mulan!"
Life Beyond the Spotlight
You’re a husband, a father of five, and a grandfather of 14. How have you managed to have a personal life?
Donny knows the importance of balancing his career with his personal life. "You’ve got to balance your life," he says. "I’ve seen so many people get out of balance. So many great opportunities come across my desk, and I’d love to do all of them. But at some point, family can get pushed to the wayside. It’s easy to say to your family, ‘I have to do this. I’ll be right back.’ But if you do that, you’ll miss out on a lot of important moments."
Have you and Debbie ever splurged on something huge for your family?
Donny and his wife, Debbie, have created a special place for their grandchildren to play. "I have a piece of property that I turned into a place for my grandchildren to enjoy," he says. "There are waterfalls, gardens, and an orchard. For every grandchild, we plant a tree. It’s a beautiful place where my family can come together and make memories."
That sounds lovely!
"It’s a place where my family can come and convene," Donny explains. "There’s a big fire pit where we can make s’mores and talk, with a stream that almost wraps around the fire pit. It’s covered by pine trees, and it feels like you’re out in the woods or the mountains. It’s a special place for all of us."
Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead
After you became a father and grandfather, did you feel that you understood your own parents better?
Donny says that being a parent and a grandparent has given him a deeper understanding of his own parents. "Yes, every single day," he says. "Raising five boys wasn’t easy, but unconditional love makes a big difference. We went through tough times financially, but there was always a lot of love in our home. I lost everything in the ’80s and almost had to declare bankruptcy. But money doesn’t bring happiness. Unconditional love is what truly matters."
That must have been hard to deal with.
"Money doesn’t bring happiness," Donny reflects. "It’s more important to have unconditional love that doesn’t cost anything. We’ve tried to create that kind of environment in our home, and hopefully that attitude has spread in our children’s homes. It’s all about loving each other, loving our neighbor, loving God, and being kind. We certainly need a little bit more of that in this world."
What do you think will be your legacy?
Donny’s work on Mulan is something he’s particularly proud of. "When that opportunity came along, I had no idea what would occur," he says. "But when you do a Disney film, it lasts forever. The other stuff that I’ve done in my life belongs to my life span. But because Disney films are animation, they’re not tied to one person. Mulan is one of the Disney classics."
What would you tell your teenage self if you could?
Donny would tell his teenage self to have patience. "I went through a lot of terrible anxiety in my 30s," he says. "It started when I was about 11 years old. The pressure of show business came to a head when I was in my 30s while playing Joseph [in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat]. I didn’t have enough patience to realize, ‘Donny, you’re only human. You’re going to make mistakes. It’s OK.’ So many people beat themselves up when they try to be perfect. There’s no way we can be perfect. We can only try."
