MISS USA® 2008 HOST

MARIE OSMOND

Growing up, Marie Osmond endeared herself to an entire generation. That bond with her audience not only continued, but grew stronger through the years as Marieís career blossomed into hit records, network television shows, Broadway musicals, movies of the week, world-wide concert tours, a top ten New York Times best selling author, television commercials, lecture tours and an extremely successful Marie Osmond Collector Dolls business.

With all her successes over 40 years in the entertainment industry, Marieís legion of fans now spans generations.

Marie was first thrust into the spotlight in 1963 on ìThe Andy Williams Showî when the host placed the three-year old on his lap and introduced her as ìthe youngest Osmond Brother.î She began to make a name for herself 10 years later when at age 13, she exploded onto the music charts (#1 country/#5 pop) with ìPaper Roses,î marking the first time in country music history that a female artist debuted with a #1 record. Her first concert performance soon after was a sold-out date at Madison Square Garden alongside The Osmond Brothers, with whom she now performed, prompting the groupís name to be changed to The Osmonds. Barely a teenager, she garnered a gold record and Grammy nominations for 1974ís Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best New Artist.

From 1976-1981 Marie starred in the weekly television variety series ìThe Donny & Marie Show.î Another career highlight for Marie was her Broadway debut as Anna in Rodgers & Hammersteinís ìThe King and I,î which opened to rave reviews. In the spring of 1998, she headlined the showís national touring production in San Francisco and Los Angeles. That same year, the popular daytime entertainment/talk show ìDonny & Marie,î premiered.

True international icons, NBC Television invited Marie and her brother Donny to perform for the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics, viewed by a world-wide audience.

Marieís highly successful career had involved her in every medium of entertainment except radio, until in 2004 she launched her nationally syndicated talk/music radio show ìMarie & Friends.î

In recent years Marie has starred in various shows including, ìCelebrity Duetsî and season five of ìDancing with the Stars.î

Recently, Marie has expanded her business activities to include a wide range of products for the home sewing and crafting market. With national exposure on QVC Networkís ìCrafting with Marieî programs, she continues to inspire consumers nationwide.

Marieís proudest achievement, besides being a mother to her eight beautiful children, has been her role as co-founder/co-host, with John Schneider, of Childrenís Miracle Network, a project of The Osmond Foundation.