From Deseret News archives:
Donny tells David to enjoy the 'American Idol' ride
And Osmond might go 'Dancing with the Stars'
After all, Osmond was a nice, clean-cut Mormon boy from Utah who suddenly found himself a teen idol with a big singing career and thousands of girls screaming his name.
And Archuleta, the 17-year-old "American Idol" finalist from Murray, appears to be in the first stages of the same trajectory.
"I just talked to David a couple of days ago," Osmond said in a conference call with TV critics to promote his upcoming stint as co-host, with his sister, Marie, of the Miss USA Pageant. "I think that he can have an amazing career. It's an exciting ride that he's going on."
Responding to a question from the Deseret Morning News, Osmond said he would advise Archuleta to make sure he takes full advantage of the experience.
"It's just the nature of the game of 'Idol' for that kind of enthusiasm and that kind of adulation to take place," he said. "But you've got to ride that wave as long as possible and then reinvent yourself — continually re-inventing yourself."
Which is something Osmond, 50, has been doing since he was a small child. Beginning with his appearances on "The Andy Williams Show" at the age of 6, he's had chart-topping hits, acted, hosted variety, talk and game shows and starred on Broadway. In addition to last year's Osmond 50th anniversary performances — which aired as a PBS special and is available on DVD — Donny and Marie have already sold out eight performances scheduled at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in July.
And Osmond said he might just follow in his sister's footsteps by slipping on some dancing shoes. "Dancing with the Stars" shoes, that is.
"OK, I'll fill you in on something. I'm seriously considering next season," he said. "But no decision yet."
Osmond thinks Archuleta could have a long-term career in show business, too.
"He's a really nice guy. I even talked to his dad, Jeff, and had a really nice conversation with him," said Osmond, who didn't want to get into specifics of his conversation with the Archuletas except to say that he wants the teenager to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience of "American Idol."
It's the same advice he has for contestants on the Miss USA Pageant, which airs Friday, April 11, on NBC/Ch. 5.
"Don't take it too seriously. Have a good time. Just enjoy it. Enjoy the process. Enjoy the 15 minutes of fame," he said. "I just think sometimes people get wrapped up too seriously in certain thing. Even in any aspect of show business.
"We talked about David Archuleta here a second ago. Just enjoy the process because it is 15 minutes of fame so enjoy every (one) of those 15 minutes."
Marie Osmond echoed those sentiments.
