Donny Osmond is ready to head down by the lazy river — but not just yet.
The “Puppy Love” singer, 67, addressed his “inevitable” retirement from live performance on Thursday, March 13, while appearing on “The View.”
Osmond, who recently lost his older brother, Wayne, spoke about his future plans to walk away from the stage after announcing he was extending his solo Las Vegas residency at Harrah’s Showroom through the end of 2025.
“It’s coming, let’s face it. It’s inevitable. I really enjoy [performing]. I’ve got a great job,” the star said during his talk show appearance. “My job is to make people happy. How can you complain about that? It’s a lot of work, and I put 100 percent into my show, but I still have a lot of fuel in this body.”
Osmond explained that when he can no longer give the audience what they want, he will hang up his singing chops.
“Because I’ve raised the bar so high for myself, the day that I can’t reach that bar and give 110 percent on stage is the day the curtain will not go up,” he shared, adding, “It’s not around the corner, but it’s inevitable because I love what I do.”
Osmond also spoke about his one-of-a-kind residency, which incorporates AI technology by slapping his face onto his 14-year-old grandson’s body and presenting a younger version of himself to the audience.
“I’m looking into the eyes of myself 53 years ago, talking to him and singing with him,” he explained while noting that “there’s a lot of negative things you can go down that path [with AI].”
However, Osmond isn’t focused on the bad.
“I look at the other glass, I look at the one that’s half full. And what I did with AI is I created entertainment. I recreated myself,” he shared.
In January, Osmond and his siblings suffered an imaginable loss when their brother passed away unexpectedly.
Wayne passed away on New Year’s Day after suffering a massive stroke at 73.
Osmond posted a touching tribute to his brother, informing fans he was able to say goodbye.
“My dear brother Wayne passed away peacefully last night from a stroke. I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital before he passed,” his caption read.
“Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone,” he added in part.
“Even though we are separated in this mortal life, I know that by the grace and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will have the opportunity to be with Wayne for eternity,” the star concluded. “I love you, Wayne. Your brother forever.”
Osmond’s retirement talk will definitely upset his fans, who have watched his career blossom from his days in the Osmond Brothers group, which found success in the early ’70s.
The band started with his siblings Alan, Merrill and Jay, and later added Jimmy and Donny.
Their first big hit was “One Bad Apple,” which was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for five weeks.
The band ended up pursuing solo careers, but Osmond teamed up with his sister Marie. The pair found even more success together, with a variety series “Donny & Marie,” several top ten hits, a syndicated talk show and an 11-year Vegas residency that ended in 2019.
Osmond has also triumphed in his personal life.
The singer has been married to former Miss Utah Kathlyn White in 1974. They have five children and 14 grandchildren together.
