The multitalented performer Marie Osmond continues to hit milestones in her more than five-decade-long career.
She became a country music star with a cover of "Paper Roses" and then took over television with Donny & Marie, a show she hosted with her brother. She returned to have another variety show years later solo with Marie on the Hallmark Channel for 150 episodes.
Musical credits include The King and I and The Sound of Music during the '90s and in 2009 she became a Dancing With the Stars champion.
From writing bestselling books to sewing quilts, there seems to be nothing this Osmond can't do.
Windy City Times: Hi, Marie. The last time we met was right after your holiday musical, Donny & Marie - A Broadway Christmas, played in Chicago. The fans were swarming over your brother! Has there been an especially crazy moment with a fan?
Marie Osmond: [laughs] Oh dear, I could talk to you an hour about crazy moments. This year makes five decades of performing consistently. I haven't taken any time off!
WCT: You are like Cher.
MO: Yes, Cher did our show and we did her show with Sonny.
I can tell you stories of back in the day of girls mailing themselves in boxes, with oxygen inside, to my brother's room. We would find people in our hotel rooms as we arrived.
I'm an odd person, Jerry. My normal is not normal. There's not been many people I can relate to.
For example, the Osmonds and the Jacksons played football together in the past. Janet Jackson and I were their cheerleaders. It was just bizarre!
WCT: With such a lengthy career, how do you keep your voice healthy?
MO: You just have to sing. It is harder when you don't do it every single day. It is like running and exercising. Honestly, you have to love what you do and keep learning. I don't sing the same way I did when I was 12 years old, when I sang "Paper Roses."
This show is not a Donny & Marie show that I am doing at Ravinia [on Aug. 25]. I am thrilled to be playing there and cannot wait. My new album is called Unexpected. I call it that because it will not be what people expect. It has a full orchestra and was recorded in Prague.
I love country music because of the passion and rawness to that music. I love Broadway because of the wording and uniqueness.
WCT: Well, Sound of Music is my favorite musical, so I am glad you have "Climb Every Mountain" on Unexpected.
MO: James Hammerstein was our director many years ago. I realized I never got to sing that song when I played Maria, so I am singing it on this album. You will see I do a Broadway section in the live show.
David Archuleta is coming with me and he is darling. I just love him to pieces.
WCT: Is there a special connection because of you both being Mormons?
MO: He's just a dear friend and I adore him. It's going to be a fun combination. We are going to do a couple of songs together that people will enjoy.
WCT: Will there be a lot of stories about the songs similar to what Dolly Parton did at Ravinia in the past?
MO: Oh yes. In Vegas and that Christmas show you saw, there is one song after another and no time to talk. This will be different.
I do the Liza Minnelli song "But the World Goes 'Round," which is one of my favorites. I watched the Judy movie the other night and completely identified with what Judy Garland went through. Her life was close to mine with working with the studios. When she went home, she was all alone. I know that feeling. The difference is I was able to overcome that child star syndrome. It was very hard. They try to manipulate you.
We are the custodians of the quality of our lives. No one can make us happy but us.
WCT: You are so full of positivity.
MO: I have been blessed. I was the first celebrity Barbie doll! I am still the youngest person to have their first single debut at number one. I am the youngest to have a television show, even to this day. I have had a lot of firsts.
I was raised to work like that by my parents. If you think you will get something free in life, then you will never succeed in life.
WCT: How was playing your mother Olive in the TV movie Side by Side: The True Story of the Osmond Family?
MO: It was weird!
WCT: If there is a movie about you, then who would play you?
MO: The thing is there would have to be two or three people playing me because of the different ages.
WCT: They did that with Cher the Musical.
MO: I didn't see that one yet. Bob Mackie always joked that he would make my clothes, then take the scraps and make Chers's outfits. She didn't wear much and I did.
He's been my friend my whole life.
WCT: Thank you for using your platform to defend gay rights for people like Bob and especially for people with religious backgrounds like myself.
MO: I don't understand why people can't just love people. My daughter is gay. I know how I love my children and I know God loves all of his children as a father. I pray for everyone to use their lives to be happy and feel accomplished. That is what this life is for.
WCT: When is Unexpected going to be released?
MO: It was supposed to be out now, but vinyl has become all the rage. With COVID, the manufacturing plants are overloaded. In a few weeks we are doing a presale with four songs released. I am telling people to pre order, especially with vinyl being a limited edition.
There are 17 songs on the album. Every song has a deep meaning to me.
[UPDATE] The concert which had been scheduled for Wed., Aug. 25, at Ravinia has been cancelled. For more on Marie Osmond visit MarieOsmond.com .
