Donny Osmond took a trip down memory lane in the new documentary by MTV Entertainment Studios Larger Than Life: Reign of the Boybands, as he discussed, his relationship with the late Michael Jackson. Being child stars, they both found many relatable similarities about each other, which brought them closer.
Donny was at a good point in his career as a part of The Osmonds group, which was made up of him and his siblings Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay. Michael Jackson was also one of the Jackson 5 band, and he viewed Donny as the only one who truly understood him based on their similar journey.
Michael Jackson and Donny Osmond had similar backgrounds
Donny and Jackson had some mutual aspects of their lives and shared similar experiences such as the ups and downs of working with family, being the same age, being the seventh child, and their mothers sharing the 4th of May as their birthdays.
They exchanged perspectives on the dynamics of their households, with Jackson filling Donny in on his father, Joe. They also had little sisters whom they would gossip about amid the troubles of being big brothers.
Donny and Jackson both had fathers who were actively involved in their music careers. Donny’s dad, George Osmond ensured that he and his siblings remained disciplined, and had them learn the piano to perfection as little kids.
Donny credited his father for his success, noting that he was unfazed by their first taste of fame and urged them to do better. Jackson, on the other hand, had a father who also doubled as his talent manager. Joe reportedly put Jackson and his brothers through tasking rehearsals and negotiated terms on their behalf. Unlike Donny, Jackson’s experience with Joe was not as fun because he was physically abusive.