Donny Osmond, who has played around the globe for decades, found fame as part of The Osmond Brothers. The much-loved band began as a barbershop quartet consisting of brothers Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay. With an impressive career as a solo artist, Donny later married his life-long partner Debbie in 1978. During Thursday’s episode of The Drew Barrymore show, Donny opened up about his beloved wife and how she helped him through a “desperate” period in his life.
The former teen heartthrob sat down with actor Drew for a conversation about his darker years in show business spanning between the years 1979-1989.
Donny began: “From a personal point of view, I couldn’t have been happier because I got married in ’78, I finally found the love of my life.
“I could spend the rest of the show just talking about how she saved me.
“It took me about 10 years before things started kicking back in again ’cause that’s when ‘Soldier Of Love’ hit in ’89.”
READ MORE:Emmerdale villain Meena Jutla’s exit confirmed as star speaks out
The jarring reality of Donny’s loneliness became apparent during a concert in Hawaii.
He recalled: “Thousands and thousands of people screaming.
“I went back to our condo, we had a condo there at the time, and I found a little corner in that condo.
“I rolled myself up into a ball and started crying my eyes out uncontrollably.”
“My brother, Jay, walks in and he sees me. He said, ‘Donny, what’s wrong?’ I said, ‘Jay, I’m lonely. I’m just lonely.’
“He said, ‘Donny, 20,000 girls were just screaming your name. How could you be lonely?’ I said, ‘I don’t know, but I’m lonely.’”
The teen idol credited his wife for her continual support, he added: “I was in such a desperate place that Debbie pulled me out of it.
“Whenever I make a decision in my life, the first thing I think about is her.”