The Bold and the Beautiful has featured many well-known guest stars during its nearly 40-year history, including TV legend Betty White, Patrick Duffy from Dallas, and Big Brother winner Taylor Hale. This week, Marie Osmond joins the lineup, playing a potential buyer in the intense fashion showdown between Eric Forrester (John McCook) and Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye).
Marie Osmond became famous in the ’70s as part of the Osmond family, known for hits like “Paper Roses.” She also co-hosted the popular variety show Donny & Marie with her brother Donny Osmond, along with a talk show by the same name. Younger generations might recognize her from Nutrisystem commercials, where she shared her weight loss journey, claiming to have lost 50 pounds.
Though Osmond was originally set to appear on The Bold and the Beautiful in 2011, the role never materialized. She was enthusiastic about the opportunity back then, joking that she chose Bold over other soap operas like One Life to Live and All My Children because she is “bold” and her co-star is “beautiful.” Now, over a decade later, she will finally make her appearance as Countess Von Frankfurt, beginning October 27.
However, in a sneak peek of her debut, her performance appears somewhat lackluster. While not terrible, Osmond’s acting feels a bit forced and out of place. The singer and variety show star seems slightly out of her comfort zone in this new role.
Marie Osmond’s debut in the world of soap operas falls short of expectations. While a two-star rating might seem a bit harsh, it’s a fair assessment. Anything higher would likely be based on nostalgia alone, given the Osmond family’s iconic status in entertainment. However, soap acting requires a different skill set, and no amount of Nutrisystem commercials can prepare her for the demands of this role.
In a preview clip, Osmond’s character responds to Esther Valentine (played by Kate Linder from The Young and the Restless), who is excitedly admiring the extravagant gowns. With a snarky remark, Osmond’s character asks, “Might I ask, are you planning on commenting on every gown today?” This suggests that her character may be more of a villain, or at least a snobbish, condescending figure unimpressed by someone like Esther, who comes from a working-class background.
While soaps are known for their over-the-top drama, Osmond’s performance comes across as overacting, which is surprising considering her experience in acting. She has appeared in TV movies such as The Road Home for Christmas and The Christmas Edition, and even starred alongside Betty White in the sitcom Maybe This Time. However, her performance on The Bold and the Beautiful felt more like a high school play than the work of a seasoned television actor.
There’s hope that her portrayal of Countess Von Frankfurt will improve in future episodes, but her initial moments in the spotlight left much to be desired.