Donny Osmond has been in the spotlight for most of his life, so fans may be shocked to learn that the singer, 64, has suffered from crippling anxiety for most of his career.
In an interview with People the former teen heartthrob says it was the love of his wife of 44 years, Debbie, who has been his emotional support through all his ups and downs.
‘So many people fall into a trap of desperation and depression. I’ve been there, and you can’t just brush it off. There is light at the end of the tunnel,’ said the star.
Opening up: Singer Donny Osmond is opening up about his struggle with anxiety and depression. He hopes sharing his experience will help others
Osmond and Debbie, 63, married 1978, when he was 20 and she was 19. They are the parents of five sons and now have 12 grandchildren.
He also shared that his wife gave him some good advice about performing.
When he was worried about nailing his show, she said, ‘Why don’t you go out there tonight and do an average show?’
That took the tension off and he nailed it: ‘It ended up being the best show I ever did because I gave myself an opportunity to make a mistake,’ he said.
The Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat star said he sought professional help to deal with his depression as well.
True love: The singer credits his wife Debbie with helping him navigate the ups and downs of his life and career; seen in 2010
Putting aside perfection: The singer and actor says his wife’s suggestion to put in an “average” performance resulted in his best show ever
Osmond made his professional debut at age five, when he appeared with his brothers on The Andy Williams Show.
In the 1970s, at 13, record producers approached him about recording solo albums. Two of his biggest hits were Go Away Little Girl and The Twelfth of Never.
Osmond was also the co-star of his own TV variety show, Donny and Marie. The show ran from January 1976 to May 1979.
Rollercoaster ride: Osmond was at the top of his career in the 1970s. He released hit music and co-hosted a successful variety show with sister Marie. After the show ended in 1979, his career plummeted
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After that, Osmond’s career and finances started to tank. The singer says his squeaky clean music wasn’t considered legitimate.
His family also went bankrupt through a series of bad investments. The singer claims a publicity firm suggested he try to shake his good boy image and get arrested for smuggling drugs. The singer, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said he ‘sell out.’
His hit Soldier of Love, released in 1989, helped reinvigorate his career. Osmond recorded the album in the UK, where at one time he and his brothers had to hide under a restaurant table to escape enthusiastic fans. Some DJs refused to play the album because of Osmond’s bubble gum image, others did play it, but referred to the singer as a ‘mystery artist’ until Osmond came out the fans about the single.
Turning to acting, as well as singing, helped keep Osmond’s career going.
Career revival: Osmond said he had trouble reviving his career due to his squeaky clean image. Being cast in the title role of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat put him back in the spotlight. He gave 2000 performances between 1992-98
His career suffered a huge setback when a revival of the George M. Cohan musical Little Johnny Jones opened and closed on the same night in 1982.
In 1992 he was cast in the title part for Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. The actor’s run ended in 1998, after giving 2000 performances.
It was during his Dreamcoat run that Osmond began to battle with his anxiety. During their pop-star days, the singer and his family were known as ‘one-take Osmonds’ because their constant rehearsal meant when it came time to record, it only took one take.
Singing Siblings: Osmond wrapped up an 11-year residency with sister Marie in Las Vegas. He launched his own solo show in August 2021
The Puppy Love singer claimed this need to get it right all the time contributed to his mental health issues. Until his wife made a life-changing suggestion.
The star says it was that suggestion that allowed him to become the multi-faceted performer he is today.
The singer has enjoyed an 11-year residency in Las Vegas performing with his sister, Marie and hosted the syndicated game show Pyramid from 2002-2004.
Osmond learned to ice skate during his variety show days and put those skills to good use as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, winning the season 9 championship.
Osmond began a solo show in Las Vegas in August of 2021 and recently released his 65th album, not only singing, but co-writing all the songs. The collection is appropriately titled Start Again.
A winner!: Osmond learned to ice skate for his 1970s variety show. He put those skills to good use, winning season 9 of Dancing with the Stars
Source: Daily Mail
