Donny Osmond, 68, Hit with Lawsuit After Fan Gets Walloped by Large Flying Ball
Donny Osmond, the wholesome heartthrob who once made teenage girls swoon with “Puppy Love,” is now facing legal heat after a fan claims she got walloped by a prop during his Las Vegas residency at Harrah’s. And we’re not talking about a harmless foam finger here. But a lawsuit-worthy injury? This could be a whole different ballgame. Let’s see what occurred at the show.
What Went Down at the Donny Osmond Concert
Joanne Julkowski from Illinois was enjoying herself at Osmond’s February 15, 2024, show when things took a painful turn. According to the lawsuit filed in Clark County District Court, she got struck in the back of the head by one of those oversized, illuminated balls that the 68-year-old performer routinely launches into the audience during his set.
The injury, unfortunately, wasn’t just a minor bump, either. Julkowski claims the impact caused “traumatic retinal injury and retinal detachment” to her right eye, which required surgery and left her with permanent visual impairment. She also suffered head and neck injuries that needed extensive medical treatment. The lawsuit describes how the showroom was intentionally darkened during this segment, making it nearly impossible for audience members to track or dodge these flying props.
The Damages Being Sought in the Lawsuit
Julkowski is seeking damages exceeding $15,000 for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and attorney’s fees. But the financial hit doesn’t stop there – she’s also going after punitive damages, which will be likely much more.
The complaint details how the incident has wreaked havoc on her life, causing “severe emotional distress, including psychological trauma, fear, anxiety, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.” She went to a Donny Osmond concert expecting a night of feel-good hits and instead walked away with what her attorney calls “life-altering injuries.”
Per People, her legal team at Christian Morris Trial Attorneys didn’t mince words either: “Ms. Julkowski went to the Donny Osmond show expecting a fun, family-friendly experience and instead left with serious, life-altering injuries that continue to affect her daily life.” They argued that it’s “unacceptable for a venue and a performer to place entertainment value over the safety of their patrons and fans.”
Allegations of Negligence Against Both Donny Osmond and Harrah’s
The lawsuit names several defendants, including Osmond himself, his production company Donny Osmond Concerts, Inc., Harrah’s Las Vegas, and also Harrah’s parent company Caesars Entertainment. The complaint alleges that all parties failed to adequately protect audience members from “foreseeable harm.”
According to the filing, these oversized lighted balls were “designed and intended to be thrown or propelled through the audience while illuminated” and were “capable of causing injury to concertgoers upon forceful impact.” Yet there weren’t allegedly any warnings, instructions, or any safety measures communicated to patrons about these potential hazards.
The lawsuit additionally takes aim at the venue’s dim lighting conditions, claiming the darkened showroom reduced visibility and limited patrons’ ability to “perceive, track, and avoid the oversized, lighted balls moving through the crowd.”
According to EW, Julkowski’s attorneys emphasized in their statement to the press:
“The choice of this performer and this venue to intentionally launch large objects into a crowd shows a mentality that they prioritize entertainment value over the safety of their guests. The decision unnecessarily endangers people of all ages and can cause a multitude of injuries.”
This Isn’t the First Time Props Have Caused Trouble
Here’s the thing – Osmond isn’t the only veteran rocker dealing with prop-related problems. Fellow Las Vegas residency veteran Rod Stewart, 81, has openly admitted that fans have been injured by soccer balls he kicks into the crowd during his performances. Yikes.
Stewart even shared a story about a close friend who got hit in the face at one of his shows, breaking his glasses and requiring ongoing medical treatment. The British rocker’s response? “You’ve got to keep your eye on the ball in all sports, Mate.”
Huh. Classic Rod.
The Business of Vegas Residencies
Celebrity residencies have become massive business in Las Vegas, with legends like Adele, Céline Dion, and yes, Donny Osmond, signing on for extended runs. Osmond kicked off his Harrah’s residency back in 2021, and the show covers much of his decades-long career – including an appearance by an AI version of his 14-year-old self and a Broadway-style performance of “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from Disney’s “Mulan.”
These residencies are carefully choreographed spectacles designed to wow audiences with nostalgia and theatricality. But when the spectacle leads to serious injuries, questions about liability and safety protocols inevitably arise.
Harrah’s Las Vegas, operated by Caesars Entertainment, has not commented on the lawsuit. Representatives for Osmond have also remained silent.
So What Will Happen Next?
As the case moves forward, it will be interesting to see how the defendants respond to these allegations. Will they argue that a concertgoer must assume a certain level of risk when attending a live performance? Or will they point to safety measures that were allegedly in place but went unnoticed?
As of now, Julkowski is left to deal with the aftermath of what should have been a fun night out. Her lawsuit isn’t only about getting compensation – it’s about holding performers and the venues accountable for prioritizing safety over entertainment. And at the end of the day, no one should need medical treatment after seeing their favorite crooner perform.
