Donny Osmond on the passing of Michael Jackson"

“I’ve known Michael since we both were about 13 years old. He once told me that because we went through similar experiences as teenagers, I was the only person who ever understood him. Words can’t express the sadness I feel right now. My prayers go out to his family and his children,” Donny says.

Michael Jackson once urged fellow grown-up child star Donny Osmond to change his name – or risk spiraling into obscurity. Osmond reveals he sought out the King Of Pop’s advice after his own pop career had petered out and he was broke.

Donny Osmond must have taken Michael’s advice because he released "Soldier of Love" in 1989 as a mystery artist.