Donny Osmond has revealed that the late Michael Jackson once gave him “very offensive” career advice during the 1980s. The two iconic performers, who rose to fame as children with their respective family bands, The Jackson 5 and The Osmonds, navigated the complexities of the music industry together. Osmond, now 67, shared this insight during an appearance on The Adam Carolla Show, where he reflected on his challenging transition from child star to adult musician.
In the clip posted on his Instagram account, Osmond recalled a conversation he had with Jackson around the time of the release of Jackson’s groundbreaking album, Thriller, in 1983. Osmond sought Jackson’s guidance on how to regain his footing in the charts. Jackson bluntly told him that his name was “poison” to radio DJs and advised him to change it.
Osmond recounted the moment with a mix of humor and honesty. “The name ‘Donny Osmond’ was a joke years ago,” he said. “If you said you liked Donny Osmond music, you’re ousted.” He illustrated this point with an example from New York radio station WPLJ, which played his song Soldier of Love but hesitated to mention his name. “They liked the song, but they just didn’t want to say my name,” he explained.
Despite the harshness of Jackson’s advice, Osmond later recognized its truthfulness. By 1989, radio stations began playing his music without mentioning his name, which ultimately contributed to his resurgence in popularity. “They did me a favour by not saying who I was, and it became a hit,” he noted.
The Jackson 5, originally composed of Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, Tito, and the late Michael Jackson, achieved remarkable success, selling over 150 million records worldwide. Similarly, The Osmonds, featuring Alan, the late Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Jimmy, and Donny, also enjoyed significant acclaim, with their sales surpassing 77 million records internationally.
Osmond has reflected on the uncanny parallels between the two families in a documentary titled Larger than Life: Reign of the Boybands, which is set to air in 2024. He highlighted the similarities, noting that both families consist of nine children and that he and Jackson share the distinction of being the seventh child.
As the music industry continues to evolve, Osmond’s experiences with Jackson serve as a reminder of the competitive nature of fame and the often-unfiltered advice that comes from fellow artists. The candidness of their exchanges may resonate with many aspiring musicians facing similar challenges today.
