Life Is Just What You Make It: The Autobiography

by Donny Osmond

A television star by the age of six and a veteran of Las Vegas by eight. Donny Osmond had four successful careers underway by the time he turned eighteen. He was a member of the Osmond Brothers, a solo artist, made up half of the duo with his sister Marie, and co-hosted the immensely popular television variety show The Donny & Marie Show. In "Life Is Just What You Make It", Donny candidly describes how he kept his faith, his dignity, and his sense of humour through the setbacks. For the first time ever, he reveals his battle with social phobia and how he came to understand that life really is what you make it. Revealing and Honest.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Music, Biography Memoir, Memoir

378 pages, Hardcover

First published June 9, 1999

Reviews

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donny Osmond's bio (with a helper writer P. Romanowski) was my guilty pleasure I bought for myself my last birthday. I picked it up with three other books so it wouldn't look like an important purchase. That as I started it last weekend and quickly devoured the first four chapters and found the copy I had was missing about 30 pages, so I had to go and exchange it. I was a huge fan of the Osmonds, bought all their albums, bought a special purple dress to wear to see them in concert, had their pictures taped to my bedroom walls along with David Cassidy through my youth. Adored his brother Jay too. Every page went over familiar territory, but a if with a wide angle lens, showing aspects I never noticed before. And I found the jewel in the last pages - a fragment of a universal idea rarely understood - 'the realization that failure is an experience, not a personality trait; it's a noun that applies to inanimate objects, not a word that applies to people. And one of his baker's dozen bits of advice to use as we see fit..."Remember, any dream will do" - got it!

[Adam Kovynia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book, it was very well written and interesting. This is an older book from around the year 2000 or so but has four new chapters added to it-- but I read it in 2020 and I was not familiar with Donny Osmond's music or the music of his family. I just like to read personal memoir books about anybody no matter if I am a fan of them or not. I saw one episode of his tv show the newer D&M back in the late 90s just by chance when I was a teenager. In this book he is very funny at times especially situations that come up like forgetting his lines in the Play Joseph he was doing for six years or the part about eating the pastries while he was going to begin singing a song but he was still chewing the food. I think it's very good that he spoke about social phobia and anxiety and especially how he said that when people say it's because of how he was raised as a child celebrity that it's not so simple as that because people suffer from this who have a completely opposite life growing up. in this updated book with four new chapters Donny writes about a serious accident he had to his neck while in the ocean on vacation. It shows you that someone who has it all can have a life threatening accident like this so we all have to live our life the way he want because we never know about what can happen to us.

[Ann Agent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love biographies and this one is an exception. It was great to take a look into his feelings of events, most of which we knew about, some of which you learn about for the first time.

My favorite part is Part 2 in the revised edition. I feel that extra section especially the acknowledgements (the last sentence) is a MUST READ! Amen!

[Kirstin Dobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very interested in reading this autobiography since I was seeing him perform at the same time, plus as a pre-teen I adored him. He was even the first star I got to meet. He was a very gracious and kind person in person. So, I have a very fond memory of this and him. His book is very open and honest, and yes, probably a little sugar coated-- more about others than himself, though. My one complaint was the drudgery of some of the storyline-- this practice, this performance, etc. All in all, I'd recommend this for anyone who would like to know Donny better, and especially a fan.

[Mrs J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donny Osmond, and indeed all the Osmond records, formed part of my earliest record collection, and his posters adorned my bedroom walls, so I was keen to read this

Interesting story and the photos in it are brilliant. It covers his long career, his faith and relationship with his huge family.

Worth a read if you're a fan or enjoy autobiographies. 3.5 stars

[Helynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in July 1999, my husband and I stood in line for more than an hour at the ZCMI Center in Salt Lake City so we could meet Donny Osmond at Deseret Book and buy an autographed copy of his story. Donny was a nice guy, and we were happy to have the book, but never thought much about reading it in detail (there were a lot of fun pictures to look at in the book, after all) until a few weeks later when we took a long road trip with our two adolescent kids. It was great fun to read this book aloud to each other in the car. In Life is Just What You Make It: My Story So Far, the irrepressible, ever-upbeat Donny takes us from his earlist childhood in Ogden, Utah, to his early days performing with his brothers on the Andy Williams Show, to his metoric rise as a teen singing star who leapt in popularity far above his five talented brothers. His early life wasn't all success, however. After his marriage, the popularity of The Donny and Marie (TV)Show plummeted, and so did Donny's ability to support a growing family with his singing voice. The lean years included a heartbreaking close of a Broadway show--in which he had the lead role--after one night, and the defection of hoards of former fans. Then came success again as the star of the Broadway and traveling show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. And then another frightening slump as he battled debilitating depression and stage fright at the height of his success in Joseph. Through it all, Donny keeps his priorities in good order, always praising his loyal family members from wife Debbie and their five sons, to stern, but loving parents George and Olive, all seven brothers (including hearing-impaired Virl and Tom) and his on-again, off-again entertainment partner, ebullient sister Marie. By 1999, Donny was on the move again with a successful TV talk show that he co-hosted with Marie. And since this book was written, Donny just keeps moving onward and upward. There is an unmistakable humility in his writing, style, though, and his gratitude and his religious faith never fail. He ends this book by thanking the many, many people who have contributed to his success, and "Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ, for blessing me beyong measure."

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Change your name. Your name is poison," advised Michael Jackson when Donny Osmond was trying to forge an adult singing career in 1983. Osmond's name was not always a punch line. At the age of five, he joined his four older siblings as the pop group The Osmonds. Barely in his teens, Donny became a solo artist, cutting more than 20 gold records by the mid-'70s. From 1976 to 1979, he and his sister starred in the popular, campy TV variety series The Donny & Marie Show. But his toothy, wholesome image and his strict religious beliefs as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were at odds with the harder-edged rock of that era. This, and the fact that the Osmond entertainment empire was located in distant Utah, fostered the impression that he was a has-been by age 22.

Osmond's emotionally raw and startlingly candid autobiography is a difficult tightrope act: a triumph-of-the-spirit tale that avoids homilies or bitterness. Taught to ignore his own feelings in favor of the interest of the family, Osmond was a child star under enormous pressure to be "perfect."

His debilitating panic attacks (which plagued his five-year run in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) and his efforts to find emotional peace through psychotherapy are recounted with bracing honesty, and he provides keen insights into the music business, especially the behind-the-scenes politics that govern radio airtime. By the end of his story (so far), Osmond's long-sought inner peace includes the understanding that he can't control how he is perceived by the public.

Writing this book may have been the best form of therapy for Osmond, but it will prove a revelation to readers as well.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess this has spoilers so if you've been living under a rock for the last 15-20 years and don't know any of this, then read the book first. This was a bitter-sweet read for me and I have a little guilt I carry with me in regards to Donny. At 7 yrs old, I was one of the teeny-boppers who let the universe know that I wanted to marry Donny. I had the Crazy Horses album which I played over and over and even though it was an Osmond brother group album, I thrilled every time I heard Donny's voice. I used to get up a 5 in the morning to watch the Osmond cartoon and I watched the Donny & Marie show every Friday night. I was crushed when it went off the air. Reading about the kinds of pressure he and his siblings were put through in the name of entertainment was disconcerting. It's no wonder that he suffered from anxiety and his sister suffered from depression due to the pressure they felt to get things right in one take, have people take advantage of them, steal their money, leave them for broke and Donny having to rebuild his syrup-y image which was forced upon him by managers and for which many fans turned on him especially when he got married. Pressure, pressure, pressure. It's an interesting thing to read about someone who has entertaining in their blood try to find the balance between love of entertaining and pressure to fit a mold that is contrary to their own artistic vision.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donny Osmond’s autobiography, Life is Just What You Make It, is a journey-like story about a teen idol’s rising to fame and suddenly becoming yesterday’s news. In the book, he describes the wonderfulness and hardships of being a young, Mormon heartthrob during most of the 1970s decade. He describes his warm beginnings (accompanied by 4 of his brothers, Merrill, Jay, Wayne, and Alan.) with great detail, (taking place in the mid-60’s) and shares the 411 of the music industry, exposing techniques and other ropes of the show biz. I encourage every reader to read this book. It’s worth your time.

After being wrapped up so tight in this book, I can sincerely say that I would do nothing to change it. It’s that good. He describes his experiences of fame with such explicit detail. It almost makes you think twice about wanting to be famous yourself.

I would recommend this book to any person with a vast vocabulary. Besides the word choice, I would encourage this book is for teenagers. The stories are quite entertaining, as well as a great piece of advice for young people. I would also recommend this to the fans of Donny Osmond. This book covers a lot of stuff about fans and what it was like for all of the Osmonds to have so many of them. It also covers a lot of stuff you never knew or would have guessed about the Osmonds.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK OK so since 1972 I have been in love with Donny Osmond. WOW what an admission. But to read his autobiography was really great. He is just like all of us. Insecure, anxious, obsessive and prone to be self defeating. YET IN reality he is one of the most talented people to grace this planet. thank you Donny for writing about your struggles with obsessive compulsive disorder. Perfection is a goal but not a reality. Your talent transcends the pretense of the IDEALS of Perfection.

[Mediaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second time I've read this book, first the original version, now the updated version of one that came out a few years earlier. It's way too long and boring. Osmond spends too much time on insignificant details about his recording career and his touring. In spots it sounds like he is going page-by-page through his itinerary instead of telling stories with depth. On the surface he tells stories that always make him look good (even when he tries to make himself look bad) and it comes across as non-stop self-promotional, not an honest guy pouring out his heart.

Much has been made about his "revelation" that he had an anxiety disorder in the middle of doing Joseph. Reading it the second time makes me notice the holes in his story and some of the excuse-making he does. I believe he started getting scared on stage, but the question is why? It occurred after he stopped living with his family and was on the road living alone. What happened during that period? What did he do with his off hours? Did he need them around to feel good about himself? Did he do anything he was ashamed of? He never explores these questions and leaves huge gaps of time empty.

The book needs a good editor, even in the additional few new chapters. It could cut a hundred pages out and be improved. It also needs someone objective to tell him that the Donnie and Marie talk show was not a ratings hit the way he makes it out to be--it was one of the lowest-rated daytime talk shows on at the time. He also puts in too many plugs for his Mormon faith and glibly bats away criticism of it while ignoring the reality that it's not a traditional Christian denomination.

In the end it feels like this is all about his image and making sure people think he's real, when in truth he comes across as untrustworthy and fake because he is always so worried about people thinking the best of him. If that was the goal of this book, he failed.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the time he joined his brothers on stage at 5 years old on the Andy Williams show, til 1999 and he and Marie are doing their tv talk show, Donny Osmond opens up about the trials and tribulations of his life. He doesn't skip over any of the rough spots, and he had quite a few. B&W glossy photo section in the middle of the book. Very compelling and entertaining biography.

Quotes:

"Failure is a better teacher than success. The problem is, who in their right mind wants to sit in that classroom?"

"The World would be a better place if we spent more time telling everyone we care about what they do right instead of what they do wrong, if we cheered them for simply running the race, whether they "won" or not. Sometimes it takes more heart to stay in the race than to win it."

[Sherrie74 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I was expecting a bit more. I know serious matters were discussed but he has glossed over some things and guess that is how maybe the whole family handled things.

Though not said .... or comment not fully explained ..... and many would have ignored it ... I am glad he put a dig into a certain person (GD). We could have told you his promises are only that and he did the same thing to other artists.

I am glad I read it as it did give some perspectives as to their family life was at home and how involved with the church they were as well.

[Janette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly interesting and good book. The whole Osmond craze of the '70s was a little before my time, so I wasn't really familiar with Donny's career or any of his hits aside from "Soldier." I also had no idea he had struggled so with anxiety or that Elvis was a friend of the Osmonds and had read the Book of Mormon. All in all, it was a very enlightening and at times fascinating read that gave me a whole new respect for Donny Osmond. Highly recommend.

[Teresa Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read this as a fan but I was not expecting the rawness of his story. For all the fame, he had a very troubled time as social phobia took over and he felt like he would and wanted to die on stage from pure panic. His battle to learn how to live with the anxiety and still do the only job that he had every known is a story that really resonated with me. Would highly recommend

[Rob Paczkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

He shared more than I thought he would. I ended up giving it a 5 as I feel there was good things such as dealing mental issues, his upbringing, his challenges as a child entertainer. You could also easily read between the lines of the stresses and strains that emotionally and physically endured. If you put it together, it was a fair account of his life.

[Suzanne Dudley]

Excellent book, but you would expect nothing less from me! Seriously, it is a great story of his, childhood and his upbringing. He also writes about his downfall and his struggle back to the top. I really enjoyed the chapters about his work on Broadway. His belief in hard work, God, and family are strongly woven throughout his story.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always blown away by the struggles and real life challenges that stars have. As I read, I found it hard to imagine someone as public and funny as Donny, having anxiety. It just made him so much more real. He has worked so hard his whole life. His faith is so strong.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book. He became more real to me in realizing that even in being a super star you are only human. I liked knowing how he got through his panic attacks and came out on the other side of them.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of autobiographies. This is one of the most well written. Donny wasn’t my big crush my teen years, but I always admired his family. Everything he writes about his family from his early years to the end of the book is very genuine. A must read for 70’s kids.

[Brittany K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This just happened.

[Alexandra Cathrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book let me look into the whole entire life of Donny Osmond, I had to motivate myself to read it sometimes but it was very informative and if you are a fan, I would recommend.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s Donny Osmond. No other words needed.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dry open and honest. Needs updating, though.

[Pauline Ceely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, I have always been a Donny and Osmond brother fan.

Worth the read.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting. Learned a lot about my teen idol I didn’t know.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now, I like Donny Osmond nearly as much as the next person (!) so I was looking forward to reading this.

What can I say about it? Well, first of all, I did quite enjoy it, but not as much as I’d hoped.

It tells a lot about the early Osmonds stuff and about Donny and his music career from the early 70s up to nearly, but not quite, the present day, and I have to say that he’s done masses more stuff than I realised.

Although his career pretty much died a death in the UK from the late 70s until media interest increased when he did Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Coat in Canada, I hadn’t realised just how much stuff he’d done in the USA - not all of it successful!

I only really knew Donny from his big hit Puppy Love, and his couple of hits with Marie, and as I was only 6 or so when these were out, I did like Donny, but he wasn’t as big for me as The Bay City Rollers were! ops:

He’s quite open about his ‘social phobia’ in the book. Personally though, I think I’d have enjoyed it more if he’d written more about his day-to-day family life. He travelled extensively with his wife Debbie and their sons in the 80s and 90s, and I’d have been interested to read about the affect that had on his family.

Very recently, he updated the book with part 2. This second part is just 44 pages long, and feels very rushed - the writing is much more clipped. It’s a pity he didn’t spend a little longer on it!

I’m sure I’m not going to persuade anyone who hasn’t an interest in him to read it, and to be honest, I don’t think I’d have missed out had I not read it myself. Still, it was okay - but I’m glad I’ve finished it!

[Holly (2 Kids and Tired) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm an Osmond fan. I reread this book recently and enjoyed it just as much as the first time. Donny shares his life and his career experiences. He's honest and forthright: at times his recollections are heart-breaking. The Osmonds went through some incredible successes and just as incredible losses. As Donny talks about trying to find himself as an entertainer and the humiliations he endured, your heart just breaks for him. As he finds his comeback and transitions to his successful theater career, you cheer, even as he then struggles with social phobia. At no time does he ask for your pity, nor do you feel the need to offer it. When he talks about singing, "Puppy Love" as a heavy metal song in a concert, in response to some jeering bikers, you laugh out loud.

He's open about his faith and his family and the joy and frustrations that came from being an Osmond. The point that comes through in this book, over and over, is to believe in yourself. Your life is literally just what you make it, and even if you don't succeed in what you think you want the most, you still need to find a way to be happy.

[Rosieontheroad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I was surprised at the challenges Donny Osmond faced growing up and performing as part of his famous family. He discusses his insecurities in dealing with fame, including the panic attacks he would feel from worrying about being the perfect performer and the perfect person. He shares how his wife and a therapist helped him to overcome this social phobia. Did you know that Donny wore purple socks not only because he like the color, but because he would be physically unable to function without them?

I learned that "you can't judge a book by its cover." The appearance of a perfect life is usually masking myriad insecurities. I also came away with a deeper gratitude for my own package of problems and a greater respect for Donny Osmond, his siblings, and his parents.