With all the musical talent in the Osmond family, it’s surprising to learn that two family members don’t have the biological ability to appreciate it. Tom and George Virl Osmond, the oldest Osmond brothers were both born deaf. Olive and George Osmond, their parents, couldn’t afford to buy hearing aids and so the other brothers got together to perform and raise money for them.
This is how it all started, by going around from place to place trying to save for hearing aids. Darling, right? What’s even cuter is the Osmonds often signed during their performances to keep Tom and George up-to-speed.
Getting Animated
Many super fans have no idea, but Donny has starred in plenty of animated TV shows and movies over the years. His silky smooth voice is as good animated as it is on stage! One role nearly everyone has heard of is Captain Li Shang in the Disney classic, Mulan.
If, for some reason, you still need some help refreshing your memory, well, in the film he sings the iconic “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.” And if that song isn't in the top five of your favorite Disney songs then we're sorry but you can't sit with us.
Breaking Records
Let’s take a break from Donny for a minute and focus on some of the other Osmond family members. Take Jimmy Osmond, the youngest of the Osmond family broke records in the UK which he still holds to this very day. The 1972 song, "Long Haired Lover from Liverpool," reached number one in the UK singles charts when Jimmy was only 9 years old.
Jimmy was henceforth the youngest artist to reach the top spot in Britain. The boy, now a man, recalls sadly, “The home I grew up in was a string of hotels across the world. I don’t remember my first home, which was somewhere in Los Angeles.” Sad!
Coming Out
Marie and her ex-husband, Brian Blosil, were married from 1986 until their 2007 divorce. During that time, they had two biological children and adopted five more. One of their adopted kids is daughter Jessica Blosil. When Marie was named Person of the Year by Diane Sawyer, she confessed that she cried when Jessica came out to her when she was 17 years old.
Having many gay friends, Marie knew the kind of judgment that the queer community gets from other people, which is why she cried. In her words “I didn’t want that for my child.” We get her, but luckily things are getting better each and every day.
Resisting Peer Pressure
Donny was always made fun of for being uncool growing up. Surprising, considering he grew up to be a world-famous pop star. He could get any girl he wanted and be a serious rock and roller but thought he was too young and that it would tarnish his pious Mormon beliefs. He didn't use any illegal substances and he swore to remain pure until he was married.
He has stated he is proud of himself for resisting the urges that come with his kind of fame and found himself giving advice to other upstart acts like Prince and Michael Jackson.