IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Squeaky-clean Donny Osmond relates to Justin Bieber's desire to rebel

Donny Osmond knows a thing or two about being a teen idol, and in a new interview with Closer Weekly, the 56-year-old singer lobs some advice at Justin Bieber, a teen going through his own idol struggles."I'm just a normal guy, and Donny & Marie left me with such a wacky image," Osmond told the magazine. "Since 'Puppy Love' and 'Go Away Little Girl' were such big records, I went through a period w
Image: Justin Bieber, Donny Osmond
Justin Bieber, left, and Donny Osmond.Today

Donny Osmond knows a thing or two about being a teen idol, and in a new interview with Closer Weekly, the 56-year-old singer lobs some advice at Justin Bieber, a teen going through his own idol struggles.

"I'm just a normal guy, and Donny & Marie left me with such a wacky image," Osmond told the magazine. "Since 'Puppy Love' and 'Go Away Little Girl' were such big records, I went through a period when I hated it." He said Bieber is "feeling the pains of this right now."

"Everyone thinks he’s still the kid who sang 'Baby,' but he’s an adult, and he’s rebelling to show people he’s an adult," Osmond said of the 19-year-old Canadian pop star. Bieber has run up against a popular backlash this year thanks to a variety of incidents including questionable driving habits, indecent toilet practices, pet monkey abandonment, and potential paparazzi pugilism.

Bieber himself shed light on the struggle in a recent chat with Ryan Seacrest.

"People don’t get to see me living as a 19-year-old boy," Bieber said. "I’m still finding myself and when I have the media attacking me everyday, it’s no (different) than bullying that happens in school ... of course I make mistakes growing up ... and I’m not perfect ... people forget I’m a human being (and) I have to make mistakes and grow stronger."

Osmond's advice for Bieber and other child stars is to roll with it all.

"Just let it happen. You can’t change history," Osmond told Closer. "When you hit it so big at such a young age, time freezes in people’s minds. You just have to live with the consequences until enough time goes by — 20 or 30 years, in my case. You get to a time when you end up embracing it."