How Did I Get to Meet Marie Osmond?
By Dennis Schleicher
When you’re with Marie Osmond, and she says, “follow him on Instagram,” you say YES!
Marie Osmond is an icon. She’s been on the scene for decades, and she’s still doing what she does best: singing, entertaining, and inspiring people to live their lives with joy.
She is one of the most authentic, kindest people I have ever met. And I am so grateful that she took the time to chat with me backstage after her show.
So when I had the opportunity to meet her in person a few weeks ago, and she said those magical words, I knew I had to jump on it! What ensued was a fantastic evening of laughter (and lots of selfies) with one of my favorite people. If you ever have a chance to meet Marie in person, don’t miss it — she is just as excellent as you expect!
How did I get this chance?
Last summer, I got a notification that Marie Osmond had started following me on Instagram. I was shocked! I couldn’t believe it. How did she find me? I was so excited and happy to have been noticed by her.
A few weeks later, I received a text from her executive assistant, telling me that Marie would like to call me tonight. She said that she enjoyed following me and asked if I would meet her. Of course, I said yes!
She provided me with one ticket to see her perform in Connecticut, with a backstage pass. So how did she find Dennis Schleicher on Instagram? We share the same religion, a church with His name in it. I am a convert to the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints. What makes me different from everyone else in the church? A church of almost 17,000,000 members. I am gay. With Marie having so many gay friends, she was impressed with my testimony and strength. She was impressed that I joined when so many people left over this issue.
When we talked on the phone in early October, she downloaded my audiobook. “Is He Nuts?: Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ.” The next day, she gifted me her CD from iTunes in 2010, I Can Do This. She sang the same song at my brother’s funeral; I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me. Little did she know that every piece we sang at my baptism was on her album.
You could truly feel her love for being a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints as she testifies about Jesus Christ when she performs.
She also shared some excellent advice for aspiring performers. “Be yourself. Be genuine. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.”
In closing, my advice to you is this: Live every moment! It’s only today that matters. And no matter how crazy your life gets, always remember to take some time out for yourself.
So there you have it! How I got to meet Marie Osmond. I feel she’s become my biggest supporter. If Marie Osmond follows me on Instagram, you can too @DenSchleicher.
Love, Dennis Schleicher
