Donny Osmond is using artificial intelligence to recreate his teenage persona in live shows

Today, at his Las Vegas residency at Harrah’s, the legendary artist performs a duet with a digital version of his 14-year-old self, the same teenage Donnie who captured hearts decades ago with songs like “Puppy Love.”

The moment seems almost surreal on stage. However, it also reflects something deeper about Osmond’s career. Instead of resisting technology or relying solely on nostalgia, he has embraced new tools that allow him to reinterpret his history in front of a live audience. This willingness to experiment with technology has helped him stay relevant for more than six decades in the entertainment industry.

Sign up for my free CyberGuy report
Get the best tech tips, breaking security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – for free when you join my site CYBERGUY.COM Newsletter.

Stop the Madness 2.0: The Return of ’90s Tech Icon Susan Bauer

Donny Osmond performs at Fox & Friends’ All-American Summer Concert Series at Fox News Studios on July 12, 2024 in New York City. (John Nation/Getty Images)

Why does Donny Osmond still connect with fans?

There’s a reason why Donny Osmond is still important for generations. Older fans know the teen star who broke out with songs like “Puppy Love.” Others know him from “Donnie and Marie.” Theater fans remember the play “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Coat.” Younger audiences may know him as the singing voice of Captain Shang in Disney’s “Mulan.” Then there are the reality TV fans who saw him win “Dancing with the Stars” or met him again on “The Masked Singer.”

This range gives him something rare in entertainment. It does not belong to just one era. He belongs to several. Instead of resisting it, he leans into it. Technology now plays a role in this regard as well.

How Donny Osmond brought his younger self back to the stage

Osmond explained the idea when he sat down with me on my podcast “Beyond Connected.” This concept actually began decades ago when he began imagining what future technology might make possible.

“Even when I was a teenager, I thought that one day there would be technology where John Wayne could be Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Osmond said. “And I was right.”

This long-standing fascination eventually led him to a simple question.

“Why can’t I sing ‘Puppy Love’ with my 14-year-old self on stage?” Osmond wondered. The answer involves combining several forms of digital production, Artificial intelligence modeling And theater design.

“The face is actually my 14-year-old face taken from photos, the voice is my voice from interviews I did when I was 14, and the body is my 14-year-old grandson,” Osmond said. The result is a performance in which two versions of Donny Osmond share the stage at the same time.

It is not a 3D image. It’s something called a hollow box

Many people assume that the younger Donnie is a hologram. Osmond said that is not the case.

“It’s not a projection, like a laser projection. It’s not like a hologram. It’s a completely different technology,” Osmond explained.

Instead, the illusion relies on a piece of theatrical technology known as a hollow box. The structure was integrated into the set and designed to look like an old recording booth on stage. Within that space, advanced visual systems combine CGI, AI modeling and stage lighting to create the digital image of a younger Donnie so that he appears full-sized and three-dimensional.

The effect mixes archived photos, computer-generated animation, and audio samples from Osmond’s early interviews to recreate his teenage appearance. His grandson provides the physical body movement used to animate the performance. Standing just inches away from the illusion, Osmond can look directly at his younger self while singing. From the audience’s perspective, it appears as if the two performers are sharing the stage face to face in real time.

Even after performing the sequence night after night, Osmond said the experience still surprised him.

“I do it every night, and it never gets old. It’s like looking in the mirror 54 years ago,” Osmond said. For longtime fans, this moment connects the teen star they remember to the veteran artist he is today. The visual contrast tells the story of a profession that has spanned generations.

Inside Microsoft’s AI content verification plan

Backstage, Osmond’s grandson performs the body movements used to animate the digital version of the teenage Donny seen at the Las Vegas show. (Donny Osmond)

Donny Osmond has always been fascinated by technology

One of the most surprising parts of my conversation with Donny is that he doesn’t seem like some celebrity who’s been dragged into modern technology. He looks like a kid who would love to be dropped into a manufacturing lab.

“Since I was a teenager, I’ve always been a geek or geek Technical stuff“Osmond said.

This curiosity still drives him today. He studies the tools used in his theater productions and tries new ways to keep the show fresh. In many ways, technology has become another creative tool.

Donny Osmond’s favorite app might surprise you

When I asked Donnie which apps he uses the most, the answer revealed a different side of the performer.

“I have to say, uh, Google Sheets because, uh, I created algorithms,” Osmond said.

He enjoys building detailed spreadsheets and analyzing data. His favorite phone is A Foldable device This allows it to display larger spreadsheets with ease. Osmond also embraces connected security technology. He said he uses cameras and smart alarm systems to monitor his home, locker room and other properties so he always knows what’s happening around him.

For someone known around the world as a singer and performer, it’s an unexpected technical hobby.

Donny Osmond sees both the promise and dangers of artificial intelligence

artificial intelligence He sparked controversy across music, films and the media. Some artists worry about misuse or losing control of their voice and form. Osmond takes a balanced view.

“Any technology in the wrong hands can turn into terrible things, but look at the good it can do,” Osmond said.

From medicine to entertainment, artificial intelligence is believed to have the potential to make significant progress.

“What a wonderful time to be living with today’s technology. It’s amazing to watch it all happen in real time,” Osmond said. At the same time, he believes that society should remain engaged in technological progress rather than fear it.

“If we run away from technology, other countries and other people will be far ahead of us,” Osmond said.

And speaking of technology, Osmond says his music may have already reached space. During our conversation, he said that one of his songs was used to test the sound system on a spacecraft capsule.

“They actually used my song ‘Start Again’ from my last album to test the sound system in one of the pods,” Osmond said.

Then he mentioned another story that he had heard many times over the years.

“When they went to the moon on the Apollo missions — and we went to the moon, by the way — they took a music tape with them. And over that music Andy Williams sings ‘Aquarius’. I sing the background vocals on that song. They left the tape on the moon. My voice is sitting on the moon.”

Apple uses GOOGLE Gemini to boost Apple intelligence

Donny Osmond is headlining his long-running residency at Harrah’s Las Vegas, where the show now features an AI-powered duet with his teenage character. (Donny Osmond)

Social media could have changed Donny Osmond’s early years

Osmond also spoke about how current digital platforms would change his early career.

“Can you imagine what I could have done during the ‘Puppy Love’ years with social media?” Osmond said.

At the height of his fame as a teen star, fans lined up outside television studios and concerts hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Today, this type of communication often occurs through social platforms and digital communities. It’s another example of how technology is reshaping the entertainment industry.

A profession that continues to evolve

Donny Osmond first rose to fame with his brothers as part of the Osmond Band. The family group became a sensation on television in the late 1960s and early 1970s with appearances on programs such as “The Andy Williams Show.” Soon after, his sister Mary stepped into the spotlight, and the two became household names with their variety series “Donnie and Mary.” Decades later, the siblings reunited for a highly successful Las Vegas residency that lasted more than a decade.

Over the years, Osmond has released dozens of albums, starred in television shows, performed on Broadway, and built a long-lasting career in Las Vegas. Today, he headlines his own residency at Harrah’s Las Vegas, where he performs several nights a week. The show has been extended until May 2026, which is evidence of its continued popularity with audiences. Many younger fans are now discovering Osmond through social media clips, Streaming platforms And live shows in Las Vegas.

Technology now plays a role in how he connects with fans, too. Osmond keeps fans connected through the Donny app (donnyosmondapp.com), which brings together news, videos, tour updates and his career timeline in one place. Fans can also find tickets and view information and updates on Donny.comthe official website he referred to during our interview. By blending nostalgia with modern technology, Osmond continues to reach fans across generations while pushing his show into new territory.

Take my quiz: How secure is your online security?

Do you think your devices and data are really protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get personalized analysis of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my test here: Cyberguy.com.

Key takeaways for Kurt

Donny Osmond’s career is proof that curiosity can push an artist forward. Rather than resist change, he continues to explore the technology shaping our world today. From AI-driven stage performances to data-driven apps and smart home systems, Osmond approaches technology with the same enthusiasm he brings to performing. Be sure to listen to or watch our “Beyond Connected” conversation with Donny Osmond to hear more about how he blends entertainment and technology.

If you could use AI to meet a younger version of yourself, what would you ask them? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

Click here to download the FOX NEWS app

Sign up for my free CyberGuy report

Get the best tech tips, breaking security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – for free when you join my site CYBERGUY.COM Newsletter.

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.