Kindred Spirit
On top of what appeared to be ongoing sexual and psychological abuse, the 16-year-old Marie Osmond was working up to 20 hours a day, not only presenting but also memorizing scripts, songs, and dance movements. More than anything else, she wanted a companion who understood her situation. Miraculously, one appeared. Lucille Ball may have been a little older when she began her television career, but she was just 15 when she first attended theater school. She had been through everything that Osmond was going through, and she was familiar with how the entertainment industry worked. Ball and Osmond became close after the television star appeared as a guest on the teenager’s show. It was the friendship that Osmond desperately needed.
Kindred Spirit
Movie School Dropout
Olvia Newton-John’s debut as Sandy in the 1978 smash musical Grease catapulted her to global megastardom, despite her already established singing career. Most people are unaware that the part was first offered to Marie Osmond, not the English-born Australian. Despite being attracted by the opportunity, Osmond declined the role because she felt uncomfortable with the narrative of a “good girl” turning “bad” in order to impress a guy. Osmond had strong feelings about gender roles and how they should be carried out, as evidenced by statements she made shortly afterwards.
Movie School Dropout
