O68 You were barely 15 when The Donny and Marie Show premiered. Has being in the public eye all these years, as you’ve grown and matured, been challenging? Would you change anything?MO I think I’ve lived in some of the most interesting times, especially for women. Being in the public eye then was not the same as it is today with social media. But it was still a big deal – our show was aired worldwide – more people saw it than the blockbuster movie, Jaws. I never thought of those things though – I just wanted to work and learn the business. I feel like I caught the tail end of the great entertainers. I got to work with huge celebrities such as Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra, and Bob Hope. Sammy Davis Jr. taught me how to walk on a stage! It was different then, these people looked at it as a profession, not an entitlement. They all had amazing work ethics, so I learned to work really hard from them.It was a lot, and at times it was challenging, but I wouldn’t change a thing. O68 What do you think accounts for your longevity? How have you maintained your creativity? MO Had you told me as a young girl singing Paper Roses, that I would still be performing six decades later, I would’ve laughed. Women were lucky to have a five-year career back then. I feel like I’ve been around so long because my fan base is so unbelievably wonderful – they’ve followed me and have let me explore a variety of things – whether it’s doing Broadway or writing books or going off and recording opera. There’s no way I could’ve lasted this long in this business without my fans’ support. You have to learn to keep reinventing yourself. Am I a little bit country? Yes, I am, and I love it! But I’ve also explored lots of other genres. You have to be passionate about what you do. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had a passion to keep going. I didn’t want to just sit on my family’s laurels, I wanted to do my own thing.O68 Your latest album, Unexpected, is quite a departure from your previous recordings. What went into making this album and how is it significant to you?MO I love to challenge myself. When I was in Broadway’s The Sound of Music in the 1990’s, I wanted to be able to sing the part correctly. I couldn’t go in and sing “The hills are alive” with a country accent. One of the actors playing a nun told me that I could sing opera if I wanted to – and I was like, what? But when the show went on tour, I spent the time on the road taking lessons from her and learning how to sing it right. Then, as a fun experiment, I spent 25 years pushing myself to learn how to sing correctly. That’s how this album evolved, and it debuted number one, which was amazing. O68 The show at The Ridgefield Playhouse celebrates the holiday season. What holiday song had the biggest influence on you? What can people expect from the show?MO That’s impossible to answer! There are so many Christmas songs and each one touches people’s hearts in a different way. I believe that people need this show now more than ever. People need remembrance of times past, of joy, and of the connectedness of the season. The best gift you can give someone isn’t stuff, it’s bringing the people you love together and having an experience. You’ll remember that for years. Come see the show and I will give you the Marie Osmond Good Housekeeping stamp of approval: you will leave with the holiday spirit. I do know Christmas!O68 Besides your music, you’re involved in quite a few philanthropic endeavors. Which one means the most to you?MO I’m a founder of Children’s Miracle Network, which has been incredibly important to me. Every person, at some point in their lives, is going to need a children’s hospital, whether it’s for you, your child or your grandchild. When we started Children’s Miracle Network, we decided to do something very unique – 100% of the money we raise stays local and all of it goes to the children’s hospital in your community. We’re coming up on the 40th anniversary and are now the largest children’s charity of its kind – we’ve raised over 8 billion dollars, helping over 11 million children and their families every year to get the healthcare and services they deserve. To me, it is thrilling to donate my time. I feel so blessed to be able to help others. That’s the legacy I want my children to remember their mother for – entertainment and music are wonderful – but also that I was a part of an organization that really made a difference for these children. Marie Osmond brings her Symphonic Christmas tour to The Ridgefield Playhouse on December 7th. For tickets and information; ridgefieldplayhouse.org •
