What is it like to be the son of Donny Osmond?
If I had a penny for every time someone asked me that question, I don’t think I would need to work for the rest of my life.
Without fail, it comes up during every introductory conversation: “… and this is my friend, Don Osmond. Yes, the son of …”
The dialogue becomes extremely interesting when my new acquaintance stands in disbelief. Thus ensues a short game of verbal tennis: “Na-a-ah.” “Yeah.” “No.” “Yep!” “Really?”
By then I pull out my driver’s license and point out the “Jr.” at the end of my name.
After the embarrassment wears off, additional questions follow — ridiculous ones, too: What’s it like to be famous? Does your dad still wear purple socks? Do you all sing around the piano at home?
For the longest time, I’ve hated these questions. Why are people so enamored by my life? I’ve never considered my father to be anything but my dad. Sure, I’ve seen the videos. I’m still baffled at how crazy the crowds would react when my dad and his brothers took the stage. For some reason, I never connected my father to the Donny Osmond icon.
Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? How could one not recognize notoriety when he’s sitting across the dinner table?
It’s largely because of my upbringing. My parents were never caught up in the whole “Hollywood” scene. They centralized a focus on what was really important to them — our family.
Which brings me to my point. Each family situation is unique but, at the same time, perfectly normal. That’s the beauty of normalcy — it’s subjective.
So, what is it like to be the son of Donny Osmond? Normal. Yep!
I get up in the morning; have breakfast; go to work. Occasionally, I’ll go on a date — same as any typical bachelor.
However, there are the occasional “not-so-typical” things. Going to premieres. Walking red carpets. Meeting famous people.
It’s still normal. It’s rare, but normal.
The same thing is true for each of us. If you do something your whole life it’s going to always seem ordinary. It’s just when someone points out those things that we realize how extraordinary our lives actually are.
I’ve even met a few people whose lifestyle intrigued me and asked them a million questions. A perfect example is when I met a professional race car driver. I love going fast, and had to ask him about everything he does — probably to the point of ad nauseam.
So, I’ve come to realize that people are just curious. I don’t mind getting asked questions about my family. Well, on second thought… let’s just keep it to a five-question limit.