In his seventh decade, Donny Osmond is performing nightly on the Las Vegas Strip and is about to return to the UK stage for a role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's biblically inspired musical. Joseph and his amazing Technicolor dream coat.
All of this would come as a surprise to his childhood friend and fellow star Michael Jackson, who Osmond recalls giving him some blunt advice when his career hit the pits in the 1980s.
Osmond rose to fame in the 1960s and early 1970s with his singing family of six brothers and one sister, while Jackson was simultaneously the breakout star of his own family group, The Jackson Five. Both collections sold millions worldwide, and Donnie became a solo star.
However, after two decades of success, Donny Osmond was suddenly no longer arrestable. In an interview with Times of LondonHe remembers asking Michael Jackson for advice. Jackson's answer, according to Osmond, was: “Change your name.” It's poison. “He was right, but I never did it.”
Osmond is now 66 years old and performs in Las Vegas during the week. And he's still going strong, reflecting his advice to any young wannabe star: “Don't believe your hype; don't trust it.” Take out the trash; Do your laundry. “I did my job last night.”
