Ethan Miller / Getty Images Donny and Marie Osmond's variety show is a big hit in Las Vegas. But what's the story backstage?
The siblings were sued last week by the show's producer, who claims they conspired to "defraud the William Morris Agency" out of its cut for renegotiating the Osmonds' contract and then retaliated when the producer refused to join the conspiracy.
Most interesting of all, though, is what plaintiff Chip Lightman claims Donny is spending his $1.6 million salary on...
"The clear goal of actions has been to line his own pockets with ill-gotten gains to fund his lavish lifestyle of exotic cars, luxury hotel suites and private jets—all off the backs and hard work of those who worked tirelessly to support his career," reads Lightman's complaint.
Earlier this year, Donny and Marie inked a contract extension that will keep them in residence at the Flamingo Las Vegas for another two years.
They each are being paid a base salary of $1.6 million, plus 40 percent of the box office gross, according to the lawsuit.
Lightman is seeking unspecified damages for alleged breach of contract, unjust enrichment, fraud and defamation. He says that Donny threatened to not show up for their scheduled dates at the end of the summer unless Lightman agreed to take a 50 percent pay cut and sign away his producer's credit.
In response, the Osmonds' attorney, Howard King, said in a statement obtained by the Hollywood Reporter that they had not yet seen the lawsuit, so couldn't comment on it specifically, but that they're sorry to hear about it.
"Of course, we are surprised and disappointed that Mr. Lightman took such precipitous action," King said, "especially in light of the substantial sums he has been paid, despite the facts that he neither created, financed or owns the show, nor does he engage the talented and dedicated people who produce and perform the show each night."