Donny Osmond is 'devious and greedy', says former producer
Donny Osmond is being sued by the producer of his Las Vegas show, who has claimed that the singer is "devious, fraudulent and greedy".
By Jon Swaine in New York
Published: 1:06AM BST 07 Oct 2010
Donny Osmond Photo: AP
The Osmonds (Left to right): Merrill, Jay, Donny, Wayne, Marie, Jimmy and Alan Photo: AP
Chip Lightman has filed a lawsuit against Osmond, 52, and his sister Marie, 50, alleging that the siblings reneged on an agreement to renew their contract this month. Mr Lightman, a renowned flamboyant figure in Las Vegas entertainment, claims to have resurrected the Osmonds' careers by bringing them back to the city in 2008.
For appearing in the "Donny & Marie Show" at the Flamingo they have been paid $1.6 million (£1 million) a year, as well as 40 per cent each of ticket revenues over $250,000, the lawsuit alleges. Mr Lightman has said that the show has been doing "record-breaking numbers" and is "the only show on the Strip that's not offering discounted tickets."
But the siblings agreed that in October 2010 the deal would be extended by another two years, and Donny Osmond has now "concocted a scheme" to back out of this, his lawsuit alleges. Mr Lightman has said Osmond told him he could only carry on producing the show if he accepted a 50 per cent pay cut.
Osmond's aim was "to line his own pockets with ill-gotten gains to fund his lavish lifestyle of exotic cars, luxury hotel suites and private jets", Mr Lightman claims. "Despite Marie's seemingly innocent nature, she too is liable for the fraud," he alleges.
Mr Lightman has also taken his attack on Osmond to Twitter, where he told his followers – which include 10 Downing Street – that he "has already been approached for a 'tell all' book". Donny Osmond, who is renowned for his Mormon faith and clean lifestyle, rose to fame in the 1960s as a member of The Osmonds, a pop group also featuring four of his eight siblings.
Marie became a successful solo artist in the 1970s, before joining her brother in presenting the TV variety show Donny and Marie. A spokesman for Marie Osmond declined to comment. A spokesman for Donny Osmond did not return a request for comment.
