Sharon Thanks Fans For 'Love' After Sharing Ozzy's Sad Diagnosis
Ozzy Osbourne revealed during an interview with Good Morning America on January 21, 2020, that he's living with Parkinson's disease. While this is certainly sad news, his wife, Sharon Osbourne, has publicly thanked fans for the "love" they've shown the star. While sitting down with her cohosts on The Talk later that same day, Sharon revealed, "People have been amazing with their outpouring of love for my husband, and I thank you. Friends that we haven't spoken to in years have come out and supported Ozzy, and it makes me feel good. And to everyone, thank you."
Sharon called the "outpouring" of positive support "heartwarming," and noted that "Ozzy will be just over the moon. He will be taken aback by it." The host also discussed how being at work after the news went public was actually helping her. "[It's] good to be with you guys, and to be with everybody here, who is a family. And, so I have a second family. I don't only have one, I have two," she said.
This kind of support is perhaps why Ozzy feels like he can now be open and honest about his health battles.
Ozzy is now being honest about his health
The Osbourne family may have quite a few hidden secrets, but the situation surrounding Ozzy Osbourne's health is no longer one of those untold truths. Ozzy told Good Morning America that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in February 2019 after suffering an injury, but had been battling the condition privately. "I'm no good with secrets," he said. "I cannot walk around with it anymore 'cause it's like I'm running out of excuses, you know?"
"It's been terribly challenging for us all," Ozzy continued. "I did my last show New Year's Eve at The Forum. Then I had a bad fall. I had to have surgery on my neck, which screwed all my nerves."
Sharon Osbourne also confronted the incurable neurodegenerative disorder. "It's not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination. ... Like you have a good day, a good day, and then a really bad day," she said.
Thankfully for Ozzy, he has his family to lean on during the tough times.
Jack and Kelly Osbourne are supporting their famous dad
Ozzy Osbourne's son and daughter, Jack and Kelly Osbourne, also spoke to Good Morning America about their father's battle. "The hardest thing is watching somebody that you love suffer," said Kelly, who was reportedly the first to notice that something was seriously wrong with her dad's health.
Kelly also addressed the family's shifting dynamics. "It's kind of become a bit of — I think a role reversal for us, where we have to be like, 'Snap out of it. Come on we — we have to all admit what's happening here,' so that we can get over this," she said. "And it took a while for everyone to be on the same page."
Jack, who has multiple sclerosis, also discussed how he's supporting his father. "I understand when you have something you don't want to have — but if he wants to talk, and if not — I try to slip in information," he told GMA.
The whole family is trying to keep Ozzy's spirits up. "The only thing I know is what can I do to make him smile? I know going to the studio makes him happy," Kelly said. Ozzy also made it clear that staying connected to his music and his fans is critical to his wellbeing.
Ozzy admits that he needs his fans to be there for him
While opening up about his struggle with Parkinson's disease on Good Morning America, Ozzy Osbourne also revealed just how much he's relying on his fans right now. "They're my air," he said. "And I just hope they hang on and they're there for me because I need them." The Prince of Darkness initially canceled concert dates and hid from the spotlight while battling health issues, but he has since changed his tune. "I wanna see my people ... I miss them so much."
Ozzy's fans have certainly come through. Soon after his Parkinson's announcement went public, social media users took to Twitter to show their support. "You rock Oz. All the best to you and Sharon. We love you dude," wrote one fan. Another tweeted, "We love you Ozzy and Sharon!!! Don't you worry about your fans, we will ALWAYS be here waiting and loving you through it all! ... Praying for you Ozzy! Stay strong!"
Hopefully, these kinds of messages will help boost Ozzy's spirits. "It just means so much to him," an emotional Sharon Osbourne told GMA. "...He's gonna get back out there. And he's gonna do what he loves to do; I know it."