Osmonds return to stage after death of Marie’s son

LAS VEGAS — Marie Osmond told a Las Vegas Strip audience as she returned to the stage Tuesday, less than two weeks after her son’s apparent suicide, that she has relied on her spirituality to cope with his death

“Little did I know I would be relying on my faith, especially as much as I did this past week,” Osmond said before dedicating a song to her 18-year-old son, Michael Bryan, whom she called “my angel.”

Wrapped in a robe with white feathers that resembled an angel’s wings, Osmond genuflected and reached out her right hand as she sang the song amid a starry backdrop.

“How she got through that I will never know,” her brother Donny Osmond said after his sister’s solo performance.

“I hope you all appreciate what she’s going through tonight,” he said. “She’s a strong woman.”

The Osmonds’ teary return to the Flamingo Las Vegas came one day after funeral services for Bryan in Provo, Utah.

Donny Osmond described his sister as strong for simply showing up.

“I just think that we need to give a big round of applause to my sister for even coming onstage tonight,” Donny Osmond said after the siblings’ opening number.

“Don’t do that — I’m going to have to leave,” Marie Osmond quipped as the crowd roared in support.

“God bless you all,” she said. “The way Osmonds survive is we keep singing and that’s what we want to do tonight. I know my son would want that.”

The Donny &Marie show resumed before an eager audience that was overwhelmingly supportive of Marie’s songs and jokes, as well as a dance-off against her brother, last season’s winner of “Dancing With the Stars.”

Their sibling banter wasn’t spared as they ribbed one another — and themselves — throughout the show about their ages, voices and fitness.

“Thank you, papers, for putting in that I’m 50,” Marie Osmond said. “The female F-word — ‘50.’”

Marie Osmond said her 7-year-old daughter told her that she needed to laugh Tuesday night, so she told her a joke.

“Why was the sand wet,” the mother recalled. “Because the sea weed.”

Police in Los Angeles have said Bryan died Feb. 26 of an apparent suicide after jumping from the eighth floor of an apartment building. Autopsy and toxicology results are pending.

Police said Bryan left a note but they have not provided details about its contents.

Bryan previously used his adoptive father’s last name, Blosil, but Utah court records show his name was legally changed.

At the end of the Osmonds’ sentimental return, Marie Osmond cried as she struggled to sing her last line.

“May God keep you in his tender care,” Donny Osmond sang, before telling his sister: “You don’t have to sing this part.”

“’Til he brings us together again,” she sang.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.