Gathering the family around the television to watch the Osmonds perform would a mostly inoffensive affair. They were fun to watch, and excellent performers. However, under the surface, it turned out that there were much more sinister activities at play. Actions so traumatizing, that Donny and Marie would hide their problems for years.
The Osmonds
Even though Donny and Marie were some of the most clean-cut performers in the 70’s, that didn’t mean the performers didn’t face any struggles. Donny originally gained fame alongside his older brothers in the band The Osmonds. Their wholesome image and excellent music made them likable to people of all ages and groups. It certainly wasn’t controversial to like their music.
At Only Five Years Old
With the amount of time Donny’s been in the spotlight, it’s no surprise that he’s been exposed to the rotten underbelly of show business. He first appeared on TV with his brothers at just five years old. A lot of child stars often speak of how becoming famous at such a young age made them lose their childhood and is something they wish they properly got to experience. Donny Osmond was no different.
That Special Something
However, the fame of the Osmonds skyrocketed after Donny was brought on. Even though he was just a child, they him needed to stay in the band. He was that special something they needed. Appearances the group made on The Andy Williams Show and The Jerry Lewis Show in the 1960s helped catapult them into superstardom.
Bubblegum Pop
It was in the 1970s when the band really started to get into the groove. At this point, they had transitioned from barbershop and gospel music to bubblegum pop. The shift in styles proved to be financially successful, although fame still proved to have its difficulties, for Donny in particular.
Osmondmania
During the 70s, Osmondmania was running wild. The Osmonds dominated the charts, with crowds of screaming fans following everywhere they went as they toured the U.S. The Osmonds even had a cartoon! Well, Marie wanted a piece of the action, too, so she started her own music career. While fame came quickly, the cruelty of the industry seeped in just as fast.
Riding High
Like her older brothers, Marie ended up becoming famous at a young age as well. She started out as solo artist with instant hits, such as the iconic “Paper Roses”. She didn’t need her brothers to remain popular, but she would still perform alongside them from time to time.
Extra Star Power
Around the time Marie broke into the industry, The Osmonds did need some of their sister’s star power to keep going. In the mid-1970s their popularity had begun to dwindle, seemingly because of other bands like the Bay City Rollers beginning rise to prominence. Donny had also begun his own solo career, but it had begun to deteriorate. He even felt the need to switch to disco in 1976.
An Unstoppable Duo
While Donny’s fame had been faltering at the time, that was soon to all change. Everyone soon realized what a great pair Donny and Marie made. They were practically unstoppable together. Some of their songs like “Morning Side of the Mountain” and “I’m Leaving It All Up to You” were massive hits. Donny and Marie were on the road to dominate the world with their music.
Some Really Great Chemistry
While they had a successful music career together, it was their variety show that really solidified their combination as “unstoppable”. Donny & Marie was a massively successful, thanks to the chemistry between the siblings. However, despite their happy faces, the screen didn’t show the whole story. Behind the scenes, they were suffering.
Abuse
In an interview with Closer in 2015, Marie said, “I had producers take me out into the parking lot when I was 103 pounds and tell me that I was obese, disgusting and a disgrace to my family. [They said] that I needed to keep food out of my fat face”. A horrible thing to say to anyone, let alone someone so young and impressionable. And this terrible treatment stuck with Marie for decades.
Losing Weight
Marie continued with the interview, saying, “This sent me on a head trip – that 250 people could lose their jobs because of me”. Marie ended up starving herself until she weighed 97 pounds. And, of course, Donny had been dealing with a lot of pressure too.
Donny’s Troubles
Donny elaborated, “We had a director who was a perfectionist. There were so many wonderful outtakes that weren’t used because he wanted it to be perfect. What I’ve learned over the years is that imperfection is perfection. You can’t make it too perfect to a point where it’s not real.”
They Were Only Teens
It’s important to remember that Donny and Marie were still in school when their show was airing. Marie was only 16 and Donny was 17. Both teens were simply out of their depth when it came to making a hit television show.
Filling Time
According to Marie in that Closer interview, Marie talked about some of the stress they had from working on the show. “When other celebrities came on the show, sometimes they wouldn’t know their stuff. So Donny and I were required to make up the time so [that] we wouldn’t lose money. That was a lot of pressure.” It’s pretty easy to see how stressful this could be for just a couple of kids.
Workaholic
It seemed as though Donny coped by throwing himself into his work. He’s barely slowed down since he was a teenager. However, this, of course, has still proven to be a detriment to his life. Donny, himself, has admitted that he has a lot of trouble maintaining a balanced lifestyle and spending time with his family.
“Next Year Belongs To Her”
In 2009, Donny said in an interview with the Daily Man, “I was just on the phone to my wife, and we made some promises that next year’s going to be a little lighter when it comes to my workload. Next year belongs to her.” It seems as though a grueling schedule on the road may be second nature to him now, though.
Greater Suffering
While Donny’s life wasn’t exactly easy, it was Marie who suffered the worst from her time in the spotlight. After the birth of her son, Matthew, she even contemplated suicide. She had even told her nanny at the time “I can’t stay here”.
Hysteria
Marie added in an interview with the Daily Mail, “My body was racked with hysterical crying, and I began to understand for the first time why a person would want to take their own life.” She was diagnosed with post-natal depression, but she received greater support, allowing her to work through it.
Pressure
Marie realized that her pressure-filled childhood likely was related to her sudden breakdown. In the same interview, she said, “It hadn’t been easy growing up in the music industry in the ’70s – and for two reasons. Not only was I a girl, but I was [also] the only female Osmond. I felt a huge pressure on all sides.”
Trials And Tribulations
Marie also had to overcome sexual abuse from her childhood and the suicide of her son, Michael, in 2010. While a heavy blow, Marie and Donny appear to be doing much better in the present. Donny, at least, can even look back at the ’70s with more fondness. In 2015, he told Closer, “I look back at my life as all these peaks and valleys, and Donny & Marie happens to be a peak. The bad times dissipate, and you only remember the good. When I see those old clips, sometimes I cringe, but it still brings a nice big smile to my face.”
