Introduction
Donny Osmond Reflects on Iconic Career in Emotional ET Retrospective
In a heartfelt and entertaining look back, Donny Osmond sat down with Entertainment Tonight for a special retrospective, revisiting key milestones from his remarkable six-decade career in show business. From his first appearance at just five years old on The Andy Williams Show to headlining a high-energy Las Vegas residency today, Osmond’s journey has been nothing short of legendary.
Osmond fondly recalled early performances with his brothers, rehearsing lines as a young boy, and the breakout success of The Donny & Marie Show, which became an international sensation. The nostalgic look back included his first ET interview in 1981, when his dream was to be the first singer on the moon—an ambition surprisingly linked to his background vocals on “Aquarius,” a tape of which was left on the lunar surface.
His candid commentary shed light on more challenging chapters too, including the abrupt closing of his Broadway debut in Little Johnny Jones. He described the painful but pivotal moment that pushed him to reinvent himself. That reinvention led to his surprise comeback with Soldier of Love—a hit released anonymously to avoid public bias.
The retrospective also highlighted major moments such as introducing a young Beyoncé and debuting Britney Spears on television, guest hosting ET, performing a showstopping dance on Miss America, and eventually winning Dancing With the Stars, a victory he emotionally dedicated to his wife, Debbie.
From Broadway roles like Gaston in Beauty and the Beast to comedic film roles and a triumphant Vegas residency, Osmond’s story is one of perseverance, talent, and evolution. As he prepares for a U.S. tour starting this July, Donny Osmond continues to celebrate a career that’s inspired millions—wrapped in music, resilience, and an unmistakable charm.