Donny and Marie Osmond: two names that have been synonymous with entertainment for decades.
These siblings, who rose to fame in the 1970s, have been delighting audiences with their
music, television shows, and live performances for over 50 years.
But despite their enduring popularity, there's always been a sense that there was more to
their story than meets the eye.
Now, after all these years, some of Donny and Marie's secrets are finally coming to
light.
From their early days as child stars to their adult lives in the spotlight, there's a lot
to discover about these talented siblings.
Facts Verse Presents: Donny & Marie Osmond's Secrets Come to Light After All These Years
Donny & Marie Stole The Show
The Osmonds were one of the world's most popular family bands in the 60s and 70s.
They started as a four-part harmony quartet, singing barbershop-style songs like "Side
by Side".
They later expanded their lineup and their musical style, incorporating pop, rock, country,
and R&B influences.
They gained widespread attention with hits like "One Bad Apple", "Double Lovin'", "Yo-Yo"
and more.
However, it wasn't always glitz and glamour for them.
They faced many challenges and hardships along the way, such as financial troubles, health
issues, family conflicts, and career changes.
They also had to deal with fame and pressure at a young age, which affected their personal
lives and relationships.
Donny and Marie became the standout stars of the family because they had their own successful
solo careers as well as a popular TV show called "Donny & Marie".
They were known for their catchy songs, charming personalities, and wholesome image.
They appealed to a wide range of audiences with their catchy slogan: "I'm a little bit
country, I'm a little bit rock 'n' roll".
Fame And Fortune Took Their Toll
Fame and fortune had both positive and negative effects on Donny and Marie.
On one hand, they enjoyed success, popularity, and recognition for their talents.
They also had a close bond with each other and their family.
On the other hand, they faced intense pressure, stress, and scrutiny from the media and the
public.
They also had to deal with personal challenges such as divorce, depression, and addiction.
Marie especially struggled with her image and weight throughout her career.
She felt insecure about her appearance and was constantly criticized for being too fat
or too thin.
She developed an eating disorder when she was 15 years old, after a producer told her
she needed to lose 10 pounds for her TV show.
She also suffered from postpartum depression after giving birth to some of her children.
She eventually overcame her issues with therapy, medication, and weight-loss surgery.
Marie Was Preyed Upon
Hollywood could be a dangerous place for a young female star back in the 60s and 70s.
Unfortunately, Marie had to learn this lesson the hard way.
One of the most notorious incidents happened when she was very young and had to work with
Groucho Marx, a legendary comedian who was much older than her.
Marie said that he pinched her and made her feel uncomfortable when he was a guest on
her TV show with Donny.
She also said that he was rude and disrespectful to her brother and did not care about their
feelings or boundaries.
Needless to say.
she did not enjoy working with him or being around him in the least bit.
Unfortunately, Groucho Marx was not the only one who preyed on Marie.
She alleged in numerous interviews that she was sexually abused as a minor by "people
with very temporary access to [her]" who were involved in show business.
She did not reveal their names or details, but she said that it affected her self-esteem
and mental health for years.
She also said that she felt ashamed and blamed herself for what happened.
Marie also faced unwanted attention from some men who tried to pursue her romantically when
she was not interested or ready.
When she was 18 years old, she spoke with People magazine about whether she envisioned
marriage in her future.
She said that she was not in any rush, but by the time she was 21 she would probably
want to be getting serious.
However, shortly after that interview, she married Stephen Craig, a basketball player
who was 25 years old at the time.
Marie later admitted that she married him because he pressured her into it and threatened
to expose their relationship if she did not agree.
She said that he wanted to use her fame for his own benefit and did not respect her wishes
or values.
They divorced after three years of marriage and had one son together.
Marie has been very brave and honest about sharing her experiences with predatory behavior.
She has also been very resilient and strong in overcoming these issues.
She has found happiness and peace in her faith, family, and career.
She has also used her voice and platform to help other victims of abuse and raise awareness
about this serious issue.
They Both Battled Addiction
Addiction, as you're probably well aware, is a chronic disease that affects the brain
and behavior, causing people to compulsively use substances or engage in harmful behaviors
despite negative consequences.
Marie Osmond has struggled with addiction to food and diet pills since she was a teenager.
She was body-shamed by a producer of her TV show "Donny & Marie" who told her she was
"fat" and threatened to fire her if she did not lose weight.
This triggered body dysmorphia for Marie, who developed an unhealthy relationship with
food and started taking diet pills to suppress her appetite.
She later admitted that she became addicted to them and suffered from side effects such
as anxiety, insomnia, and mood swings.
Marie also had a traumatic break-up with teen idol Andy Gibb, who was addicted to cocaine.
She said that he pressured her to use drugs with him, but she refused.
She ended their relationship on the phone because she could not handle his addiction
and depression.
She said that Gibb begged her to marry him, but she knew it was not healthy for either
of them.
Sadly, the former Bee Gee died at age 30 from heart failure caused by years of cocaine abuse.
Donny Osmond has also battled an addiction to prescription painkillers after undergoing
surgery for a vocal cord injury.
He said that he became dependent on them to cope with his pain and stress.
He said that he realized he had a problem when he ran out of pills and experienced withdrawal
symptoms such as nausea, sweating, and shaking.
He decided to quit cold turkey without telling anyone, which was very difficult and dangerous.
Donny also suffered from severe anxiety disorder after starring in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat on Broadway.
He said that he felt overwhelmed by the pressure and expectations of performing live every
night.
He said that he had panic attacks before going on stage and felt like he was going to die.
He further said that he used alcohol to calm his nerves, but it only made things worse.
Both Donny and Marie have overcome their addictions with the help of their faith, family, and
therapy.
They have also used their experiences to inspire others who are struggling with similar issues.
They have been honest about their challenges and how they overcame them and have also shown
resilience and courage in continuing their careers despite their hardships.
Marie's Son's Death Devastated Her
Marie Osmond's son, Michael Blosil, died by suicide at age 18 on February 26, 2010.
He jumped from the 15th floor of his apartment building in Los Angeles after leaving a note
saying he felt he had no friends and could not fit in.
He had struggled with depression and substance abuse for most of his life.
Marie Osmond naturally was devastated by her son's death and said he was "the light of
her life".
She also revealed that he was bullied before his suicide and that she regretted not taking
action to stop it.
She said she tried to be supportive and loving to him but felt helpless to save him.
She dealt with her grief by relying on her faith, family, and friends.
She said she believed that God had a plan for her son and that he was in a better place.
She also resumed performing with her brother Donny Osmond shortly after his death as a
way of coping and honoring his memory.
She said she wanted to use her platform to raise awareness about mental health issues
and suicide prevention.
She also wrote a book called The Key Is Love: My Mother's Wisdom, A Daughter's Gratitude,
which was dedicated to her son.
In the book, she shared some of the lessons she learned from her mother and how they helped
her through difficult times.
She also expressed her gratitude for her son's life and the love they shared.
They're Still Working Hard As Ever
Donny and Marie Osmond are still very active and busy today.
They ended their Las Vegas residency at Flamingo Las Vegas in November 2019 after 11 years
of performing together.
They said they wanted to pursue other projects and spend more time with their families.
Donny Osmond has launched his first-ever solo residency at Harrah's Las Vegas, where he
sings his hits and tells stories from his life and career.
He has also recovered from a serious surgery that threatened to paralyze him and affect
his voice.
He said he had to learn how to walk and dance again with the help of his wife.
Marie Osmond has joined Fox's reboot of Fantasy Island as a guest star, playing a woman who
wants to relive her youth.
She has also been speaking about her mental health struggles and how she overcame them.
She said she suffered from postpartum depression, suicidal thoughts, body dysmorphia, and grief
after losing her son.
Both Donny and Marie Osmond are still close siblings who support each other.
They have also been involved in various charitable causes, such as Children's Miracle Network
Hospitals, which Marie co-founded.
Well, that about does it.
We've covered quite a few of Donny and Marie Osmond's secrets, but we've also learned quite
a bit about their many strengths and virtues.
Now it's time to hear from you.
Did you know that Marie Osmond was abused by industry insiders when she was young and
that both she and Donny later struggled with substance abuse issues?
Let us know in the comments.