When Donny Osmond\u2019s career hit a slump in the 1980s, he turned to Michael Jackson<\/a> for advice.<\/p>\n The two had a unique bond: both came from massive family acts, both were teen idols, and both understood the pressure of growing up in the spotlight. But Jackson\u2019s response wasn\u2019t what Osmond expected.<\/p>\n Appearing on The Adam Carolla Show<\/a>, in a clip shared by the singer on his Instagram page two weeks ago, Osmond recalled asking Jackson how to get back on the charts.<\/p>\n Jackson, riding the monumental success of Thriller at the time, didn\u2019t hold back. \u201cHe said, \u2018Your name\u2019s poison, Donny. You gotta change your name,\u2019\u201d Osmond remembered. For him, it was \u201cvery offensive\u201d to hear, but ultimately true.<\/p>\n COMPLEX SHOP:<\/b> Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what’s next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.<\/a><\/p>\n At that point, Osmond\u2019s name carried baggage. \u201cThe name Donny Osmond was a joke, years ago,\u201d he admitted. \u201cIf you said you like Donny Osmond music, you were ousted.\u201d<\/p>\n That stigma meant even when New York\u2019s WPLJ radio station discovered his 1988 single \u201cSoldier of Love,\u201d they played it without revealing the artist. The track later soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, proving Jackson\u2019s blunt assessment wasn\u2019t far off.<\/p>\n Jackson\u2019s insight came from his own experience stepping away from the Jackson 5 to establish himself as a global superstar.<\/p>\n For Osmond, the advice highlighted the brutal reality of rebranding after early fame. \u201cThey did me a favor by not saying who I was, and it became a hit,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n Beyond that one tough conversation, the two singers shared a striking number of similarities.<\/p>\n Osmond has pointed out that both the Osmonds and the Jackson 5 were nine-sibling families, that he and Jackson were each the seventh child, and even that their mothers shared the same birthday.<\/p>\n \u201cMichael said something to me one day, and he said, \u2018Donny, you\u2019re the only person on this planet that knows what my childhood is like,\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Lonnie Smith – Turning Point LP (Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series)<\/p>\n Blue Note Records<\/span> Lonnie Smith – Turning Point LP (Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series)<\/span> $27.98<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n ,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Victim of Love LP<\/p>\n uDiscover Music<\/span> Victim of Love LP<\/span> $29.99<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n ,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Lou Donaldson – Midnight Creeper LP (Tone Poet Vinyl Series)<\/p>\n Blue Note Records<\/span> Lou Donaldson – Midnight Creeper LP (Tone Poet Vinyl Series)<\/span> $38.98<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n ,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Don Wilkerson – Preach Brother! LP (Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series)<\/p>\n Blue Note Records<\/span> Don Wilkerson – Preach Brother! LP (Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series)<\/span> $27.98<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n BTS Clarifies Participation in Michael Jackson Tribute Album<\/span><\/p>\n ,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Quincy Jones\u2019 Youngest Daughter Engaged to Billionaire Heir Will Become Brooklyn Beckham\u2019s In-Law<\/span><\/p>\n ,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Paris Jackson Announces Split from Fiance Justin Long, Says She Cried ‘Breakup Tears’<\/span><\/p>\n BabyChiefDoIt Denies Using ChatGPT to Write His Lyrics, Says He\u2019d Never \u2018Give Yall the Sauce\u2019<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Lil Yachty Sends Special End-of-Tour Message to Tyler, The Creator: ‘All In All, I’m Grateful’<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\nRelated Products<\/h3>\n
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