Donny and Marie Osmond renew Flamingo contract for another year
For months, brother-and-sister headliners Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond have wrestled over the decision to renew their Flamingo contract and show, DONNY & MARIE, and stay on the Strip or move forward on other opportunities, including touring and a Broadway run.
The residency on the Strip has won out, and Donny confirmed exclusively to me Friday that they will stay here for another 12 months after their current contract expires this fall.
“Marie and I have decided to do another year. It’s not official with a signed contract, but it’s pretty close to official. Everything pretty much stays the same, so we’re just waiting on the contract from Caesars (Entertainment). It’s now in their court.
“Originally, we came here for just six weeks, and now it’s led to nine years. It’s phenomenal. We’re still loving it. We both give so much energy to it. It starts with the energy from the audience. They were on fire last night. We started throwing one-liners at each other, and we were just cracking up and giving 110 percent. It just is unbelievable that the audiences are still loving it.
“Marie and I are still changing things every once in a while. I think that’s one of the secrets to our longevity here. You haven’t really seen the show lately because of the changes we’ve made. We’ve kept it fresh. We couldn’t do a show if the audience wasn’t there, so this is phenomenal. We’re delighted that we’re staying. Las Vegas has become our second home.”
In addition to celebrating their decision to stay, Donny was in a festive mood all weekend: It was his oldest son Donny’s birthday, and it was the official launch of the Donny Osmond Home Furniture Collection that he partners with his wife, Debbie.
“Now that Debbie and I are getting close to being empty nesters, this is something we can work together on for the rest of our lives. I married her, and now she’s my business partner. I think it’s cool in that respect,” said Donny.
“She’s always on the computer researching and watching for trends, so I really trust her taste. I have the voice; she has the eye. There are very few times I’ve had to push through. There are very few times we disagree because she really has the taste.
“It’s got style. It’s got a feeling. Comfort is one factor, but the emphasis is on affordability and durability.”
Donny then went on to tell me the secret of their 38-year-long marriage: “When we argue, she’s always right. It works every time!
“I’m a romantic at heart: The notes, the flowers, the dinners. I’ll do things around the house for her. I’ll watch the grandkids when she goes out for dinner with her friends. I’ll wash the dishes, take out the garbage. It’s the little things in your marriage that send a very subliminal message to your wife that you love her.
“You more than love her – you appreciate her. That’s one of the things I’ve tried to do for the past 38 years. She sacrifices just as much as I do, probably even more, because I was out on the road so much. I was dancing with other women in the show or on DANCING WITH THE STARS. There has to be a lot of trust in that relationship, and I have to send back that message of appreciation!”
Then Donny told me a story I’d never heard before: “You didn’t know that she was dating my brother, Jay, for a while? And I stole her from my brother?” Donny added, joking: “He and I haven’t spoken since!
“He and his wife just called a couple of months ago and said they were getting a brand new place in St. George, Utah, and they wanted to buy some of our new furniture line items. I told him I’d drop ship whatever he wanted, so we’re furnishing his house for him. That’s the least I could do for stealing his girlfriend. It’s a little bit of a guilt trip being resolved!”
More on the Donny and Debbie Osmond Home Collection this week now that it’s officially launched. Donny, who was meeting with buyers at World Market Center here, said the reaction on opening day was “unbelievable.” The furniture can be seen here at Walker Furniture and also online at Target.com and Wayfair.com.
