Introduction:
Donny Osmond’s journey through six decades of entertainment is nothing short of extraordinary, and his recent ET retrospective offers a heartfelt, humorous, and deeply personal look at the moments that shaped him. From a five-year-old boy on The Andy Williams Show to a global icon with an incomparable career, Donny’s reflections capture both the magic and the challenges behind his enduring success.
His story begins with that very first television appearance. “I had no idea what roller coaster I’d just hopped onto,” Donny recalls, remembering how the cameras were explained to him and how instantly hooked he became. That early spark ignited a path that would soon lead to The Osmonds and eventually the cultural phenomenon known as Donny & Marie. The sibling duo’s chemistry—highlighted by their playful introductions and iconic variety show—became an international sensation. Donny admits they had no idea how big it would become: “It was so powerful, not just in the United States, but around the world.”
The retrospective also revisits Donny’s very first ET interview in 1981, a moment filled with both ambition and insecurity. At the time, he was struggling with his public image after Little Johnny Jones opened and closed in a single night on Broadway. “Donny Osmond was a joke on the streets,” he shares candidly. That moment became a catalyst for reinvention—a process that would take seven years and ultimately bring him back to the top of the charts.
One of the highlights of Donny’s comeback story is the Soldier of Love era. With advice from Michael Jackson—“Your name’s poison; you’ve got to change it”—Donny released the hit anonymously. The song became a massive success before fans realized it was him, a clever and daring marketing move that reignited his career.
The retrospective continues through countless iconic moments: hosting the Donny & Marie talk show, interviewing Beyoncé and debuting Britney Spears on television, and delivering an electrifying dance performance during the Miss America competition. Donny’s Broadway return as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast marks another milestone, symbolizing both redemption and triumph after the disappointment of his earlier Broadway setback.
He doesn’t shy away from the more comedic chapters either, including his exaggeratedly dorky role in College Road Trip and the hilariously unexpected decision to kiss Martin Lawrence on the cheek during a scene. But perhaps the most emotional moment is his victory on Dancing with the Stars. Before accepting the trophy, he carried his wife Debbie onto the dance floor. “The trophy belongs to Debbie, not me,” he says.
From being the first-ever Masked Singer contestant to performing a 10-minute rap summarizing his entire career during his Las Vegas residency, Donny continues to reinvent himself with unmistakable enthusiasm. As he prepares for his upcoming U.S. tour, he reflects proudly: “I put six decades of show business into a 90-minute show.”
Donny Osmond’s retrospective is more than a trip down memory lane—it’s a testament to perseverance, reinvention, and the enduring power of joy in entertainment.