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In the early 1970s, The Osmonds - along with The Jackson 5 - owned the teen pop charts. And the group's breakout star was young Donny Osmond.
Donny-Mania was so extreme that when he got engaged to his childhood sweetheart fans burned his records and sent his fiancé hate mail. In 1976, Donny teamed up with his sister Marie on a TV variety show that topped the ratings and celebrated the Osmonds' wholesome Mormon values.
But when the show ended, the music industry wasn't interested in a grown-up teen idol. Donny spent the better part of 20 years trying to shed his squeaky-clean image.
By the late '80s, even his own record label was afraid no one would buy a Donny Osmond record. So, it released his single 'Soldier of Love' without first identifying it was Donny.
'Soldier of Love' hit number-two on Billboard and was a turning point in his career.
In the '90s, Donny starred in 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' in Toronto.
The show was a smash hit, but the constant strain of being perfect led to severe panic attacks and Donny was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. He's learned to work through his fear and even won 'Dancing With The Stars.' Now, he's set to return to Toronto - this time with Marie. Their Vegas-style show kicks off a two-week run in July - and puts Donny back on centre stage.
He recently offered some advice to another young star who found massive success at a very young age. Donny told Justin Bieber, "Put on your seatbelt buddy because it's going to be a bumpy ride ... hang in there and keep putting out great material." Fitting advice from a show-biz survivor.
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