Donny Osmond is perhaps one of the most beloved performers of his generation. He is known not only for his music but also for his image as a loving family man. So it might come as a surprise when you learn about his strained relationship with his son.
Keep reading to know more about what happened that triggered a falling out between them.
There was a time when Donny Osmond was one of the biggest heartthrobs in the entire world. He shot to fame when he performed on the “The Andy Williams Show” as a kid. “Here is a little flashback to my debut performance on The Andy Williams Show. My brothers had recently signed a contract to appear on the #AndyWilliams show regularly. I would watch when they were on until I got the opportunity to be on it myself. I was 5 years old,” Donny said about the memory in 2021.
Donny later went on to have a successful solo career. One of the biggest contributors to his popularity was his ‘good boy’ image. He had been raised in a strict Mormon household and married his wife, Debbit Osmond in 1978 when he was just 20 years old. They went on to have five sons together and instilled in them the Mormon values they grew up with.
“Mormonism plays a vital role in raising our children because we teach them the love of God and the reason we’re here on this earth: to perfect our lives and hopefully someday, we believe, to return to our heavenly Father,” Donny said in an interview. His second oldest son, Jeremy Osmond, was only 4 years old at the time Osmond said this. Later on, when Jeremy grew up and entered his teenage years, he went through a rebellious period which really caused a rift between him and his father.
While most celebrity children admit to having an issue with growing up with a famous parent, the children of Osmon were under even more pressure to act a certain way, which is in line with their faith. So, in his teenage years, Jeremy did a few things that caused his father to have an issue. Donny later recalled in an interview how his son got multiple facial piercings, dyed his hair, and turned his back on Mormonism.
During this time, Jeremy also refused to keep in contact with his family and, according to reports, did not talk to Donny for four years. “I think a lot of the rebellion came from the fact that he was my son — you know, this whole Osmond thing. He couldn’t stand the whole Osmond image. When you are forced to be a certain thing, that’s why you want to rebel: ‘I don’t want to be pigeonholed, I don’t want to be just another Mormon Osmond,’ you know,” the singer reasoned for his son’s behavior. Donny shared that it all ended alright, though; Jeremy came back to Mormonism and even went on a mission to Italy.
Donny could not help but be relieved that his son had made his way back to their faith. “Every parent goes through child rebellion and it’s a very difficult time. But what’s beautiful, and a great feeling, is when they do realize that Mum and Dad aren’t that stupid after all,” he told said in an interview to Mormons Today. However, just some time after all of this, Jeremy was on the radar for law enforcement which likely would have caused strain on his relationship with his father.
Jeremy Osmond’s made headlines in 2012 for all the wrong reasons. He was target-shooting in his hometown of Cedar Hills, Utah in the summer of 2012 when he was arrested for firing a gun. At the time the news broke, his father was touring with Marie Osmond, his sister. According to a source, this would be something Osmond would not at all be happy about.
“Donny’s really going to blow his stack, especially in the wake of the Connecticut school shootings. Firing a gun irresponsibly isn’t something to just shrug off like Jeremy seems to be doing,” the source said. Jeremy was asked to pay a fine of $200 fine and was allowed to keep his gun. “It’s possible the authorities went easy on him because he’s an Osmond, but his dad’s certainly not going to be pleased!” the source said of it.
But it seems like Jeremy is well past his rebellious phase. He has since then built a solid career in physical therapy and has three children that he shares with his wife Melisa Osmond.
Donny isn’t shy to express love for his second born son. He posted on his boy’s birthday, “Happy birthday to my son Jeremy — or should I say Doctor Osmond! Mom and I are so proud of you for what you’ve accomplished in your life. You hold a very special place in our hearts,” he wrote.
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It is nice to see that Donny Osmond and his son get along now. Did you know about the trouble Donny had with his son for a while? Let us know in the comments.
