Grieving Marie Osmond Returns to Stage

Entertainer Tells Las Vegas Audience She's Relying on Faith to Cope with Son's Apparent Suicide

(AP)  Entertainer Marie Osmond told a Las Vegas Strip audience as she returned to the stage 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 on Tuesday night 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 TV's "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."'

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.

[dmofanalways]

2ND Part my 1st rspn to 'thesevenveils'. The more I think about you and your thoughts, I am ashamed to say I am in this world with people like you. A loving Family SELDOM knows about this type of suicide. He had been depressed on & off his whole life, HE STATED that he loved his mother and family and it wasn't here fault. His Mother had been helping him through therapy. These types of suicides are rarely seen and caught by anyone. I know,I am a Psychologist that works with troubled Teens/Young Adults. My Brother is a Psychiatrist, we share a Professional Practise that I am proud to say has good outcomes more than bad. I am sure your family is too 'PERFECT' for therapy. Again, good luck if you ever have to deal with any type of sudden devastation.

[sjb1stwin]

Marie, there are no words big enough to tell you how sorry I am you have lost your son. I lost both my mother and my grandmother to suicide when I was 21 (I am now 60) so I can truly feel the hurt with you and know that each of us go through this pain the best way we
know how at the time. Different feelings will come and go for you
the rest of your life dealing with this loss. I pray for you that you know this wasn't your fault or any one's fault.

Given both of our backgrounds of depression we know how desperate
and hopeless a person can feel and it has nothing to do with being
selfish. It has to be the last resort of getting relief from depression and unless a person has experienced deep depression they
have no clue as to what a suicidal person is going through.

We have alot in common and if there is anything I could do for you or
your family I would be so happy to be there for you.

I live in Vegas not far from the strip and would you believe my twin
sister who is also a Mormon lives in Salt Lake. She would also give you the shirt off of her back.

I have always admired your strength as a women and the heartaches
you've been through have been more than one person deserves to endure,
but you have. Be proud of yourself and keep that crazy fun personality. Most of all Thank You for sharing yourself and your
family with the whole world! I would love to be your friend.

Blessings,

Sally

[thesevenveils]

What kind of parents were they? The poor boy couldn't approach his father; his mother was very happy to see him as far away as possible. In essence he felt he had no family and very alone. A loving family won't leave Any of their children feeling that way.

[dmofanalways]

How DARE you be so hurtful, thoughtless, and despicable! He had been very close to his mother, and all his siblings. He had a great relationship with his whole'family'. He was NEVER "as far away as possible" from his mother. His father was THE ONLY one not close to him. You might look into things a bit more prior to hurting people who are already devastated! I actually wish you could experience something this horrific. Good luck if you do!

[johnsole1]

Suicide is the most selfish act on earth. My father did it, leaving a family to deal with unending unknowns and forever unresolved questions. It takes an unbelievable amount of time and strength and support to be a surviving family member mourning a suicide than a natural death, expected or otherwise. I wish the Osmond family well as they struggle through this together.

[mgpm-2009]

God bless you, Marie, and your family.