Introduction:
Merrill Osmond, the unmistakable voice behind The Osmonds, has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and lived through one of the most extraordinary careers in pop history. Now, with the release of his memoir Blackbear, he’s pulling back the curtain on both the triumphs and the private battles that shaped his life.
Speaking candidly, Merrill recalls the relentless pressure of his early years in show business. “On The Andy Williams Show, we had to learn a new skill every week—and do it flawlessly. If we didn’t, we weren’t on the next week,” he says. Ice skating routines, comedy sketches, musical performances—nothing was off-limits. “It was grueling,” he admits, “but that discipline became our foundation.” Much of that determination, he credits to his father’s strict, military-like approach.
But Blackbear is more than a book about fame. Merrill bravely reveals painful personal experiences, including being sexually assaulted by a tutor—a trauma that left lasting scars and contributed to years of anxiety and depression. “I even debated whether I should include it,” he confesses. “But I’ve learned that if I’ve gone through it, others have too. By speaking out, maybe I can help someone else heal.”
The Osmonds’ journey into music began with an act of necessity. With two older brothers born deaf, their parents couldn’t afford hearing aids. To raise money, the brothers formed a small barbershop quartet—never realizing it would grow into one of the most successful family acts in pop history. That legacy has now come full circle. Merrill’s own son, Justin, who is 90% deaf, has dedicated his life to providing hearing aids to children in need around the world. His book, Hearing the Call, documents his 250-mile run to raise awareness and funds for the cause.
Family, Merrill emphasizes, has always been at the heart of his story. Despite rumors and tabloid speculation, he insists that his relationship with his brothers is “in cement.” He smiles warmly when talking about his children and grandchildren—17 in total. “I just want to be grandpa now,” he says. “Life is short. I’ve been through it all—the mania, the death threats, the tours—and I’ve survived. Now it’s about giving back.”
He remembers the words of Paul McCartney, who once told The Osmonds: “You’re not experiencing hysteria—you’re experiencing mania.” Merrill laughs at the memory, acknowledging just how wild those days were. And yet, at 70+, he’s grateful to have found peace. “The Lord has blessed us,” he reflects. “And where much is given, much is expected. That’s how we live.”
Blackbear is more than a celebrity memoir. It’s a raw, unfiltered story of survival, faith, and family—a reminder that even behind the brightest spotlights, shadows remain.