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Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com
Nevada Ballet Theater honored Marie Osmond as its Woman of the Year in the Champagne Ballroom of the Paris on Jan. 23, 2010.
Published Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 | 1:38 p.m.
Updated Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 | 2:45 p.m.
To get away, Marie Osmond often does just that. She gets away. One of her favorite getaways has been to load up her Toyota Prius, slip an inspirational CD into the stereo and make the four- or five-hour drive to visit her son Michael in Los Angeles.
"I'm always eager to see him, and I listen to my inspirational books," she said earlier this month during an interview backstage at the Flamingo, where the Donny & Marie Show regularly plays to capacity audiences. "It's time I take for myself, to go and see my son."
One of Marie Osmond's eight children through two marriages, and one of five who were adopted, Michael Brian Blosil committed suicide Friday night in L.A. by leaping from a downtown apartment window. He was 18, and had long suffered from depression and had been admitted into a substance-abuse rehabilitation facility in November 2007, the same week the patriarch of the Osmond family, George, died at age 90 and during Osmond's fainting-marked appearance on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."
A son of Osmond and her second husband, Brian Blosil, from whom she divorced in March 2007, Michael left a note behind saying was ending his life after a long battle with severe depression. He reportedly wrote that he felt as if he had no friends and could not fit in.
In a statement issued by a spokeswoman with the Los Angeles public relations firm Rogers & Cowan, Osmond said, "My family and I are devastated and in deep shock by the tragic loss of our dear Michael and ask that everyone respect our privacy during this difficult time." Donny Osmond's statement: "Please pray for my sister and her family." Donny & Marie's show went on as scheduled last night, as it starts at 7:30 p.m. and the tragedy in Los Angeles was reported at around 9 p.m.
Reached earlier today on the phone, Osmond's longtime assistant Darla Sperry said with a catch in her voice that Osmond could not talk at that time and information about Marie and the Flamingo show would be handled through PR reps. Donny & Marie are expected to remain on the Flamingo stage through 2012, but have not signed a formal contract committing to that schedule, according to Marie, who said earlier this month, "Nothing's been signed."
In that backstage interview, Osmond spoke of how she was proud to have been the first prominent person to speak publicly about suffering from postpartum depression, a condition she detailed in her 2001 book, "Behind the Smile." She was then asked about Michael's 30-day rehab stint, the reason for which has never been made public, and she said only, "He's so good. He's good. He's going to college right now. I'm very proud of him. ... But I don't speak on behalf of my kids. They speak for themselves."
After being released from rehab, Michael returned to high school in Las Vegas and had earned a 3.90 grade-point average at one point.
At about the moment Osmond spoke of her son, personal assistant Greg Sperry, husband of Darla, was walking through the room to hand Marie her car keys (Greg Sperry has since suffered fractures in his spine during a ski accident at Mount Charleston but is recovering). She asked him, while laughing, "Have I ever had so much stress in my life than I have now?" Sperry laughed back and said, "No. But I've never seen you happier."
"I've been through many, many challenges in my life," she said, turning back to the interview. "What I really believe is, to get through life, you have to know what makes the world tick. What frames the heavens. I call it God."
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats.
I just want to send my deepest sympathy to Marie Osmond and her family during this difficult time. She is an amazing women and I so look up to her, she has shown us all how to deal openly with depresssion and weight issues with out being embarassed. She is my hero. I have been a fan of the Osmonds for over 30 years and I have followed their lives and am very proud to say I am a true fan!!! GOD BLESS!!! Know your in our prayers always here in the state of Connecticut. We love you!!
Kimberly Callahan and Family
Milford, Connecticut
The accounting of this tragedy is so sterile and understated. I am so sorry for your loss, Ms. Osmond. Please accept my condolences.
Marie Osmond is a great lady and an inspiration to many. My deepest condolences go out to her and her family.
Having lost a child my heart goes out to Marie and the rest of her family.Burying a child is the hardest thing anyone person can do.I will pray that God give you strength you will need.Michael no longer needs your prayers he is in heaven with God and someday you will see him again.The hardest part is going on without them .God Bless all of you
Nick--People suffer from depression whether they are Mormon, Catholic, Jewish, or whatever. What a cruel and uneducated statement regarding someone who just lost a child.
The difference is mormons JUDGE people and push one lifestyle. They believe only they will be entering heaven.
Mormons don't believe in understanding others and celebrating differences. Eddie, time for you to get educated. There is a worl outside of serving food and watching Nascar....
Nick, you are JUDGING at a very high level. Hope God forgives you of your sin of pride.Sympathy to Marie and her family.
I want to send my condolences to Marie and her family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers in this sad time. Michael is now at home and at peace with his Lord who understands what happened more than any of us can. I hope that Marie finds peace through her faith. It is her strong faith that will see her through this and I believe that she knows that she will see Michael again one day. Peace to you sweetie. You are not alone.
A very sad day in a Parents life when they lose a child. No matter what religion they believe in God has a plan for their lives.To the Osmond family my
condolences and love to you during this very trying
sad time.God gives you a strength from within that he wants you to use.Marie your son is loved and will always be loved.His life on earth has ended but but his life has just began through his spirit and his spirit lives and will always live.
No matter what led up to his passing He is Gods child and I believe God is greiving with you and your family.Remember the good times and alow those times be your strength to get through your loss.
Marie I am praying for you and your family.You and your brother brought many a smiles to millions of people over the years and I wish I could find a way
to return the favor.May God Bless you and your family
and the fruits of your son bless others through his spirit. Love
to you Marie
Only a crass and crude, highly disgruntled-with-life's lot, individual such as the commentator 'nick" would denigrate a woman's spiritual beliefs by disparaging her son's memory in a time of tragic personal loss.
Will she visit Nevada again?
- Mark Szczygiel
My condolences to Marie and her family, I know there are no words to take away the pain, but I know her faith will eventually allow her the peace she will need to get through this terrible time.
Prayers to you and your family. I can not imagine the pain you are having to bear at this time. No matter what your religous beliefs are, a mom is a mom and to lose a child has to be horriphic. I heard this once - A woman who loses her husband is called a widow, a man who loses his wife is called a widower, a child who loses his parents is called an orphan, but there is no "name" for a parent who loses a child - and that is because it is just not supposed to happen!
The mormon cult owes Michael an apology. Maybe too late, but he deserves it. Rest in peace Michael.
I was just thinking about that beautiful girl Marie Osmond whom I used to think was the hottest thing this side of Wonder Woman back in the seventies. She still is that for me, and the photo above proves it! I feel so terrible for her situation at the moment and pray that she will find the strength to overcome the loss of a child the worst thing that can happen to anyone. HANG IN THERE MARIE, WE ALL LOVE YOU AND ARE WITH YOU!!
Eddie,
Nick is as dumb as a stump. Just look at his other comments on other topics.
Look at how he calls out a religion ,that I'm sure he doesn't understand, and demands an apology for reasons he doesn't even know and can not even prove if he did know.
He makes claims with no merit.
I can not imagine the loss of a child. I have several friends that have lost their sons (and yes, it is 4-and they were all sons). As a society we push. The Osmonds were raised with values that so many of todays kids are not raised with. They are strong and have lived through good and bad. This is the biggest test for Ms. Osmond. I don't imagine she reads all these postings, but may God comfort you Marie-you are loved and I am sure Michael was loved by many folks and he just didn't know it. Yes, he knew his mom, dad, and family loved him, but I am sure he will be missed by many friends. We just never know the pain inside.....
My thoughts go out to Marie Osmond and her entire family. The pain of losing a child must be the worst thing for a parent.
I would like to offer the Osmond family my deepest sympathy. I too lost my son when he was just 19 years old, to suicide.
My heart goes out to the entire extended family. Please rely on God's love and family ties. This will pull you through.
My prayers are with you the family and friends.
She really looks much better as an adult than she did as a teen ager and she is outstanding in the designer gown.
I've seen the show 3 times. I'm planning on seeing it again, but I will understand if the show is dark during their grieving time. God bless them.
Nick you should shut-up, you show you're extreme ignorance and intolerance. You may want to look up the term "Cult" which you claim Mormon's are, you're an idiot and a dumb a$$ in the same sentence! Hopefully soon someone will just beat the living crap out of you!