Sharon Osbourne | |
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 Osbourne in 2012 | |
| Born | Sharon Rachel Levy (1952-10-09)9 October 1952 (age 73) London, England |
| Citizenship |
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| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1979–present |
| Organisation | Sharon Osbourne Management |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
| Father | Don Arden |
| Website | sharonosbourne |
Sharon Rachel Osbourne (née Levy, laterArden; born 9 October 1952)[2] is an English and American television personality, businesswoman and author. She came to prominence while appearing onThe Osbournes (2002–2005), a reality television show that aired onMTV, which followed her family's daily life. Osbourne later became a judge on television talent competition shows, includingThe X Factor (2004–2007, 2013, 2016–2017) andAmerica's Got Talent (2007–2012).
Osbourne was married toheavy metal singerOzzy Osbourne from 1982 until his death in 2025. She is credited with reviving her husband's heavy metal career by founding the summerOzzfest tour, which was held almost annually between 1996 and 2018.[3] In light of her success managing her husband, she branched out into managing other acts, such asGary Moore,Motörhead,Lita Ford,The Quireboys andThe Smashing Pumpkins, through her companySharon Osbourne Management.[3][4]
From 2003 to 2004, Osbourne hosted her own television talk showThe Sharon Osbourne Show, which was syndicated to various US channels and also shown in the UK onSky One. In 2010, she was a contestant on theNBC reality showThe Celebrity Apprentice, and became a co-host on theCBS talk showThe Talk, hosting until her termination in 2021. In 2022, she joinedTalkTV, hosting a prime time show also titledThe Talk.[5] In 2024, she appeared as a celebrity lodger on thetwenty-third series of theITV reality showCelebrity Big Brother.[6][7] As an author, Osbourne has released three autobiographies and two novels.
Sharon Rachel Levy was born on 9 October 1952 in London, United Kingdom, the daughter of music promoter and rock and roll entrepreneurDon Arden (born Harry Levy; 1926–2007) and his wife, Hope (née Shaw; 1916–1999).[8][9] She has a brother, David.[10] Her mother was of Irish descent and her father wasAshkenazi Jewish.[11]
Osbourne revealed she was surrounded by violence during her childhood and that it was a normal occurrence to see her father threatening someone, or brandishing a firearm.[12] Her father managedBlack Sabbath and fired Ozzy Osbourne from the group. Subsequently, she began dating Ozzy in 1979, and eventually took over his management from the Arden organisation.[3] She coordinated the recruitment of a backing band (Randy Rhoads,Bob Daisley, andLee Kerslake) for the recording of theBlizzard of Ozz album and helped Ozzy launch what became a successful solo career.[3] Arden resented his daughter for dating Ozzy and for managing his career.[13] In her memoir, Osbourne relates that her father had robbed her, once tried to kill her, and once told Ozzy that she had tried to seduce him, to turn Ozzy against her.[9] She soon lost contact with her father and did not speak to him for 20 years.[14] In an interview in 2001, she commented that her father has never seen her children and that "he never will".[3] Osbourne had told her children that their grandfather was dead but they unknowingly saw him for the first time when Osbourne was shouting abuse at him on a street in Los Angeles.[15] When asked who she was shouting at, she repliedTony Curtis.[9] They were reunited in 2001 and he then had a role in their reality show,The Osbournes.[14] In August 2004, Osbourne stated her father hadAlzheimer's disease and she paid for his care in the last years of his life.[9]
Osbourne's relationship with her mother was also damaged. At the age of 17, Osbourne lost her virginity and realised two months later that she was pregnant. By her account, pressure from others, principally her mother, influenced her decision to have an abortion, which Osbourne has described as the biggest mistake in her life.[16] While visiting her parents on a later occasion, her mother's dogs attacked her and it was some time before her mother appeared to call them off. She was pregnant at the time and subsequently lost the baby.[13] According to a 2009 article inThe Guardian, Hope Arden was a cold woman who became even stranger after a serious car accident, something which Osbourne said "unhinged her". When Osbourne was informed of her mother's death, she said "Oh, what a shame" and simply put the phone down.[9]
A series of high-selling albums and world tours followed through the 1980s, eventually bringing about Ozzy's popularity. In 1996, Osbourne created the Ozzfest summer touring festival.[3] It went on to become a regular rock occasion and celebrated a 10th anniversary in 2006. By 2007, the ticket prices had reached £76[17] and Osbourne announced that the tickets would be free to allow more people the opportunity to attend the concert. Prior to the founding of Ozzfest, Osbourne approachedLollapalooza, another rock/pop festival, to request that Ozzy play at that year's festival, only to be rejected and told that Ozzy was "uncool" and too drugged up. It was then that she decided to launch her own festival.[3] Controversy ensued when she pulled the plug on Iron Maiden's set three times in one performance. She also harassed the singerBruce Dickinson, and threw eggs at the band.[18]
In light of her success managing her husband, Osbourne branched out into managing other acts by creatingSharon Osbourne Management. The new company, with Osbourne as its sole employee, managed artists such asGary Moore,Motörhead,Lita Ford,The Smashing Pumpkins,[3] andCoal Chamber. She co-managed a band called Cube, withCud guitarist Mike Dunphy. Cube were signed toPolydor Records but had limited success. She has also turned down career guidance requests fromFred Durst,Guns N' Roses, andCourtney Love.[3]
Osbourne gained celebrity status as one of the stars ofMTV's reality show,The Osbournes, which followed her family's daily life and had a national audience. As the person who negotiated with MTV to screen the show, she is often credited with bringing about her husband's emergence from heavy metal icon into mainstream celebrity. The show began airing in early 2002, and when, in July 2002, Osbourne was diagnosed with cancer, she insisted that filming should continue. The final episode of the show aired in the US on 21 March 2005. MTV's British affiliate has been airing the show since 2003. The show brought MTV its highest ratings ever in both America and Britain.[19]
The Osbournes'Beverly Hills home (made famous on the show) has since been sold and the Osbournes have taken up residence in another home in Beverly Hills. Her Beverly Hills home was later seen inThe X Factor during series two. The show saw that Osbourne was responsible for the livelihood of 12 dogs and employs a dog walker named Cherie. From the mid-1990s until the end ofThe Osbournes in 2005, she was primarily based in Los Angeles with the rest of her family. Osbourne earned an estimated £11.5 million fromThe Osbournes.[20]
In 2009, she was included inYahoo!'s Top 10 TV Moms from Six Decades of Television for the time period 2002–2005.[21] In 2003, Osbourne became the host of her own television talk show,The Sharon Osbourne Show, which was syndicated to various US channels and also shown in the UK onSky One. The show was meant to be a reflection of her personality and home life, similar to her reality show but with the inclusion of guest interviews and performances. During the episodes, she conducted some of her interviews on a giant bed. However, the ratings were never successful[22] and critics panned her inability to perform the basic tasks required of a talk show host, such as reading cue cards and conducting interviews. The show was cancelled in early 2004 after one season.[23]
In 2006, UK TV networkITV commissioned a new chat show, initially to be calledMrs Osbourne Presents, but eventually just namedThe Sharon Osbourne Show. Osbourne signed a deal with ITV for a reputed £2 million.[24] The show began on Tuesday 29 August 2006, and was scheduled to run for six weeks in the 5 pm weekday timeslot. The premiere episode proved a close competition as the show received 1.9 million viewers with 17% share – 400,000 viewers (and 3% share) ahead ofRichard & Judy onChannel 4. Her second show attracted 2.1 million viewers.[25] However, ratings appeared to decrease after Channel 4 moved its game showDeal Or No Deal, hosted byNoel Edmonds, into the timeslot, with Osbourne managing 1.2 million viewers compared toDeal Or No Deal's 2.9m.[26]Channel 4'sThe New Paul O'Grady Show returned on Monday 25 September 2006 with 2.3 million viewers compared to Osbourne's 1.6 million.
Osbourne was a judge and mentor on the UK'sThe X Factor every year, from 2004 through to 2007. In thefirst series she mentored the 16–24s and choseRoberta Howett,Cassie Compton andTabby Callaghan to represent her in the live rounds of the show. The best placed of these was Tabby, who became the last contestant eliminated.[27] The final was contested betweenSimon Cowell's actSteve Brookstein andLouis Walsh's actG4, with Steve winning.[28] Osbourne's outburst against Steve on the night of the final[29] is widely credited with helping him to win, although according to her autobiography[30] he was well ahead at all stages of the voting.[citation needed]
In thesecond series she mentored the 25-and-overs, and selectedAndy Abraham,Brenda Edwards,Chico Slimani andMaria Lawson to contest the final rounds. Andy Abraham finished in second place to Louis Walsh's actShayne Ward. During this series, the judges were again required to bring the selected candidates to their homes. Osbourne chose her Beverly Hills home as a suitable location, which saw Osbourne inviting her neighbours and husband Ozzy Osbourne to attend live performances by the candidates. During Chico's performance, he jumped into her functioning fountain with a live microphone, and proceeded to splash water.
Osbourne also appeared in the spin-off showThe X Factor: Battle of the Stars. She was not required to choose her celebrity singing contestants but was selected to manage the 16–24s which were made up ofNikki Sanderson,Matt Stevens andMichelle Marsh.
In thethird series ofThe X Factor in 2006, she was mentoring the 25-and-overs, and selectedBen Mills,Dionne Mitchell,Robert Allen andKerry McGregor. Kerry and Dionne were voted out in a double elimination on 28 October, Robert was voted out on 18 November and Ben was voted out on 9 December, sending Osbourne out of the competition. During the filming of the third series, Osbourne lived at theDorchester Hotel in central London.
Osbourne was criticised for her outbursts on the show, where before a live show in series three she reportedly spoke out againstWho Wants To Be A Millionaire? presenterChris Tarrant, who was in the show's audience prior to filming. Tarrant had made a joke about her husband Ozzy to which Osbourne took offence, but most of her outburst focused on criticising Tarrant's recent infidelity to his wifeIngrid from whom he was in the process of separating.[31] It was rumoured that Cowell, fellow judge and creator of the show, was displeased with her performance in series three, and was thinking of replacing her and Walsh for the next series.[32] However, it was confirmed that Osbourne had been contracted to return for the fourth series of the show.[33] She then appeared in thefourth series along with judges Cowell, Walsh and new judge,Dannii Minogue, and mentored the Girls category during the series.[34]
During the first live show, aired on 20 October 2007, Osbourne walked out on the panel after learning of two of her own contestants, Kimberley Southwick and Alisha Bennett, being in the bottom two. However, onThe Paul O'Grady Show, aired on 23 October 2007, Osbourne confirmed she would return on the next episode and stated that it is part of her personality to say things in the heat of the moment and not to contrive anything that she says. Two weeks into the live shows, a number ofhappy slapping videos of Emily Nakanda, the only other contestant in Osbourne's category, appeared in the media, apparently showing her beating another teenaged girl. The resulting backlash resulted in Nakanda withdrawing from the show.[35] On 17 November, Bennett was voted out of the competition, leaving Osbourne with no acts halfway through the series.[36]
Osbourne joined the judging panel on the second season ofAmerica's Got Talent, along withPiers Morgan andDavid Hasselhoff, replacingBrandy Norwood.[37] Osbourne later worked on the show withHowie Mandel andHoward Stern as judges andNick Cannon as host.
The season premiered in the United States on 5 June 2007. In her first episode, Osbourne came into a conflict with Piers Morgan when she felt he judged a child contestant too harshly. She threatened to leave the show in the middle of filming, saying "I didn't sign up for this", but was talked out of it. The incident was shown on air.[38] Osbourne has since stayed with the show for its third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons. The new season was announced in a promotional video shown during a commercial break for season seven's second live show. Osbourne initially stated that she will not return for the season,[39] but later said that she was staying with the show "for now".[40] Following this, she announced she was quitting after a dispute with NBC and the producers ofStars Earn Stripes involving what she believed wasdisability discrimination against her son Jack.[41]
On 6 June 2008, it was announced in a statement on behalf of Osbourne that she has decided to step down as anX Factor judge after four series on the show.[42] The statement read "Sharon would like to thank the wonderful British public for their enormous support during what's been an exciting ride. She would also like to take this opportunity to thank Simon Cowell and ITV while wishing them all the best for thenext series."[43] A spokesman from ITV commented "She has been a tremendous judge and mentor on the programme, but we respect her wish to leave and wish her the very best."[44] Osbourne was replaced byCheryl Cole. During an interview onPiers Morgan's Life Stories, broadcast on 22 February 2009, Osbourne admitted that the reason for her departure fromThe X Factor was her fractured relationship with Minogue.[45] She stated "I didn't enjoy working with her at all and didn't fancy the prospect of spending six months sitting next to her."[46]
Osbourne hosted the second season ofRock of Love: Charm School with co-hostsRiki Rachtman and Daniella Clarke onVH1. Osbourne had a physical altercation on 13 December 2008 with contestantMegan Hauserman on the reunion special for the show after Hauserman made derogatory statements about Osbourne's husband, Ozzy. Hauserman reportedly filed a report with the Los Angeles Police Department[47][48] and has since filed a lawsuit against Osbourne, claiming battery, negligence and infliction of emotional distress.[49] In 2011, Osbourne reached a settlement with Hauserman.[50] In July 2008, Fox announced that the Osbourne family would be hosting a new variety show titledOsbournes: Reloaded (working title wasOsbournes: Loud and Dangerous).[51] The show started filming at CBS Studios in Hollywood in December 2008 before a live audience. The show premiered in March 2009.[52] Fremantle Media North America is producing the show. The show was cancelled after its premiere episode.[53][54] In March 2010, Osbourne appeared onNBC'sThe Celebrity Apprentice, coming in third place.
From its inception on 18 October 2010 until her departure in 2021, Osbourne co-hosted the CBS talk showThe Talk. This decision came after CBS cancelled the soap operaAs the World Turns. The show is similar toThe View and seeks to address motherhood and other contemporary issues.[55] Osbourne was the last original co-host following the departure of fellow co-host and series creatorSara Gilbert.
In September 2010, Osbourne made a return toThe X Factor at the Judges' Houses round ofseries 7 where she assisted Walsh atAdare Manor, County Limerick, Ireland to pick the final 3 contestants of the Over 28s category,[56] Then in September 2012, she joined Walsh again this time in Las Vegas, for the9th series Judges' Houses segment of the competition, to help him choose his final 3 groups.[57]
Osbourne has expressed interest in reprising her role on the judging panel, notably in September 2012, when she said that she would 'love' to return for the show's tenth series.[58] Media outlets reported in December 2012 thatX Factor producers had approached Osbourne for a return in 2013, reportedly to replaceTulisa.[59] In April 2013, the show's creative directorBrian Friedman said that he was "confident" of Sharon Osbourne's return, following her departure fromAmerica's Got Talent and replacement byHeidi Klum.[60] It was later announced by ITV that Osbourne would indeed be returning for thetenth series of the show, replacing Tulisa.[61] She returned to the judging panel alongsideGary Barlow,Nicole Scherzinger, and original panellist Walsh.[62] During the live shows, she mentored the Over 25s category which includedLorna Simpson,Shelley Smith andSam Bailey. Bailey was eventually announced as the winner of the show on 15 December, marking Osbourne's first victory as a mentor in the show's ten-year history.[63] Osbourne did not return for theeleventh series ofThe X Factor UK and was replaced byCheryl Fernandez-Versini.
In 2014 and 2017, Osbourne appeared as a guest panellist on ITV's daytime programmeLoose Women.
On 1 June 2016, it was announced that once again, Osbourne would return toThe X Factor for the show'sthirteenth series to replaceCheryl Fernandez-Versini. She judged alongside Cowell, Walsh (who replacedNick Grimshaw) and Scherzinger (who replacedRita Ora). She once again mentored the Over 25s category, choosingSaara Aalto,Relley C andHoney G as her top three contestants. Aalto went on to become the series' runner-up. Although initially casting doubt on returning for another series due to her commitments withThe Talk, Osbourne returned toThe X Factor for thefourteenth series. This time she again mentored the Girls category; her last contestantGrace Davies finished as the runner-up. Osbourne was initially confirmed to return for thefifteenth series as the fifth judge during the live shows portion of the competition but later declined the offer to return, feeling she wasn't needed on the panel and was replaced byAyda Field.
In 2020, she portrayed herself in season 5, episode 2 ofLucifer.
In March 2022, Osbourne joinedTalkTV hosting a new weekly prime time show named "The Talk".[5]
Sharon Osbourne's first autobiography,Extreme (co-authored by Penelope Dening), was published in October 2005 and tells of her difficult childhood growing up with her father, Don Arden, and also documents the highs and lows of her marriage to husband Ozzy Osbourne, shedding light on areas of her life previously not commented on. Domestic violence, drug abuse, alcoholism, affairs, bribery, colon cancer, robberies, a plane crash, therapy, and cosmetic surgery are also documented in the autobiography.[15]
Published by Time WarnerBooks, it went to Number 1 on theSunday Times Bestseller List (UK) where it remained for 15 weeks and sold over 621,000 copies in hardback, becoming the biggest-selling autobiography since British records began, beating the previous record set byDavid Beckham's autobiography by 100,000 copies.[64] In March 2006 it won Biography of the Year at theBritish Book Awards. The autobiography has proceeded to sell in excess of two million copies which has become the most successful female autobiography ever.[15]
Osbourne later released another autobiography namedSurvivor, the title coming from surviving cancer. It was released in 2007. In August 2013, Osbourne announced on Twitter that her third autobiography namedUnbreakable, would be released on 10 October 2013.
In January 2003, Osbourne and the rest of her family hosted the 30th AnnualAmerican Music Awards.[65][66] The night was marked with constant "bleeping" due to some of the lewd and raunchy remarks made by both Osbourne and Ozzy. Additionally, the night was met with some controversy, as critics panned their hosting and presenterPatricia Heaton walked out midway in disgust.[67]
In January 2005, she was contracted to feature in a television advertising campaign for UK supermarket chain,Asda and later in 2007, Osbourne became the new face ofGalabingo when she was featured in television advertisements promoting the gambling website.[68] She has co-hosted one of theRoyal Variety Performances withJonathan Ross. Osbourne appeared inDays of Our Lives,It's a Boy Girl Thing.
On Friday 15 June 2007, Osbourne guest hostedThe Friday Night Project withJustin Lee Collins andAlan Carr. Osbourne also made a cameo appearance on 23 June 2007 in an episode of the science fiction seriesDoctor Who. The episode "The Sound of Drums" saw her appearing in a spoof party political broadcast, which featured testimonials from British celebrities such as Osbourne and the bandMcFly showing their support forMr Saxon to become prime minister.[69]
On 20 February 2008, Sharon Osbourne co-hosted the 28th edition of theBRIT Awards atEarls Court in London, along with her husband and daughter Kelly.[70] During the awards Osbourne caused controversy and sparked complaints by callingVic Reeves, who was presenting one of the awards, a "piss head" and a "bastard" after he appeared to be drunk, although he claimed that he was having trouble reading the autocue.[71] On 22 August 2008, Osbourne took part in the 2008 MediaGuardianEdinburgh International Television Festival in Scotland.[72] In 2009 she co-hostedWWE Raw with her husband Ozzy.
On 1 April 2010, Sharon Osbourne (along with Kelly Osbourne) joinedCyndi Lauper in the launch of her Give a Damn campaign to bring a wider awareness of discrimination of theLGBT community as part of herTrue Colors Fund. The organisation campaigns to urge straight people to stand up with the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community and stop discrimination. Other names included in the campaign areWhoopi Goldberg,Jason Mraz,Elton John,Judith Light,Cynthia Nixon,Kim Kardashian andClay Aiken.Anna Paquin is also part of the campaign and came out as bisexual. This news clogged the Give A Damn website.[73]
Osbourne has a recurring voice role as Mama Hook in the animated television seriesJake and the Never Land Pirates, which was broadcast in 2012.[74]
In 2016, Osbourne appeared in two videos forPETA, explaining why she gave up wearing fur and encouraging others to do the same.[75]
On theSunday Times Rich List 2006, Osbourne was listed as the 44th richest woman in Britain and the 60th richest woman on the 2007 list. In the overall British list in 2006, Osbourne and her husband appeared together as the 554th richest people with a combined wealth of £100 million.[76] As of 2008, the couple was ranked as the 724th richest people in Britain with an estimated joint wealth of £110 million.[77]
Osbourne has sent her son's or daughter's feces inTiffany boxes on more than one occasion to people she felt had unreasonably criticised her or her family. When a journalist criticised her teenage children, Osbourne sent a box of excrement with a note saying, "I heard you've got an eating disorder. Eat this."[78][79]
The popular British comedyDead Ringers, features and spoofs Osbourne (played byJan Ravens) quite prominently alongside her husband (played byJon Culshaw). Also, she was spoofed by impressionistRonni Ancona onAlistair McGowan's Big Impression and was also featured in comedy2DTV. OnSaturday Night Live,Amy Poehler played her on "Celebrity Jeopardy!" skit on 14 May 2005.
Sharon Osbourne appeared in season nine ofCelebrity Apprentice. On 16 May 2010, she was fired during the double elimination round. ImpressionistFrancine Lewis performed an impression of her in the seventh series ofBritain's Got Talent.
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AtIron Maiden's last Ozzfest performance, on 20 August 2005 at theHyundai Pavilion at Glen Helen inSan Bernardino, California, several negative events took place, allegedly the fault of Sharon Osbourne. Osbourne's actions were reportedly in retaliation to lead singerBruce Dickinson slighting reality TV, with claims that this was an attack on Ozzy Osbourne himself.[80]
During the first Iron Maiden song, several members of the front row of the crowd (reportedly a combination of Osbourne's entourage and a few members from other bands persuaded by Osbourne or her entourage) were reported to have bombarded the band with eggs, bottle caps, and ice.[80] Some reports also say that Sharon's daughter, Kelly, was throwing objects at the band. During three of Iron Maiden's songs, the PA system was switched off, cutting power to Dickinson's microphone and the band's instruments.[80] In audio captured during the concert, it is reported that Dickinson can be heard accusing the festival's organisers of deliberately cutting off the band's power. Also unknown to Iron Maiden, played secretly through the PA at the very beginning and end of their set was a tape with the chant "Ozzy – Ozzy – Ozzy".[81] On Iron Maiden's departure, Sharon made a few statements on stage in front of the 40,000 people in attendance. She told the audience that while she "absolutely loved Iron Maiden," she thought lead singer Bruce Dickinson was a "prick"[80] and had "disrespected Ozzfest since they began their stint with the tour." Her words were met with booing, and soon afterwards she walked off the stage.[82]
Iron Maiden's manager,Rod Smallwood, issued a statement shortly after the debacle condemning the attack on the band as "vile, dangerous, criminal and cowardly" as well as disrespectful to fans who had paid to see the band perform "a full unhindered performance.".[81] Dickinson later denied making a personal attack on Ozzy Osbourne; "Did I have a go at Ozzy and Black Sabbath? No. Why would I? But I do findThe Osbournes TV series loathsome, and the whole cult of reality TV celebrities disgusting."[83]
In 2000, Osbourne resigned from managing The Smashing Pumpkins by releasing a memo which said, "It was with great pride and enthusiasm that I took on management of the Pumpkins back in October, but unfortunately I must resign today due to medical reasons ... [The Smashing Pumpkins frontman]Billy Corgan was making me sick!!!" In an October 2008 interview, Osbourne revealed that she and Corgan had recently made up: "I saw him at the Scream Awards. We hadn't seen each other since that whole thing in Germany. The first time we ran into each other and we hugged and kissed and laughed."[84]
In July 2011, Osbourne and some of her fellowThe Talk panellists were criticised for their conduct when discussing the story ofCatherine Kieu. Osbourne described Kieu'scutting off of her husband's penis and putting it in agarbage disposal as "quite fabulous", Osbourne also laughed about the incident with her fellow panellists and members of the audience. Osbourne's cohost Sara Gilbert offered the counterpoint "Not to be a total buzz kill, but it is a little bit sexist. If somebody cut a woman's breast off, nobody would be sitting laughing." Osbourne replied by saying "It's different".[85] Osbourne later apologised for her behaviour, stating "she was sorry she offended people" and that she "did not condone genital mutilation".[86]
Osbourne's co-hosts onThe Talk,Leah Remini andHolly Robinson Peete were released from their contracts in 2011.[87] Osbourne spoke of their dismissals in December 2011 onThe Howard Stern Show, stating: "Some people don't really know who they are, and you have to know who you are when you're in something like this. You can't pretend to be something you're not. You have to know your brand. You can't be all things to everyone."[88][89] Remini later protested her dismissal and levelled accusations aimed at Osbourne through a series of tweets.[90][91][92][93]
On 10 March 2021, while speaking onThe Talk, Osbourne defendedPiers Morgan's negative comments towardsMeghan, Duchess of Sussex, resulting in a heated exchange with co-hostSheryl Underwood. Osbourne's behaviour towards Underwood during the argument was criticised as harsh and aggressive.[94] In the same month, a 2018 clip fromThe Talk resurfaced in which Osbourne was discussing the Duchess of Sussex's skin colour. Osbourne said that Markle "ain't Black" and that "she doesn't look Black".[95] In response,The Talk went on hiatus while CBS conducted a review on Osbourne. In a statement made 26 March 2021, CBS concluded that Osbourne's "behavior toward her co-hosts during the March 10 episode did not align with [CBS] values for a respectful workplace".[94] Ultimately, Osbourne decided to depart from the program.[96]
In the midst of her scandal and termination fromThe Talk, both Holly Robinson Peete and Leah Remini, Osbourne's former cohosts, took to social media to reproach Osbourne over her conduct in relation to her removal from the show, pointing out that they had been treated similarly by her, citing additional acts of discriminatory behaviours from her towards additional cast members. Osbourne responded with threats of defamation lawsuits against both Peete and Remini, but ultimately did nothing.[97][98]
In 2019, Osbourne appeared on the British panel showWould I Lie to You? in which guests make statements about themselves and fellow panellists guess whether or not the statements are true. She claimed that during a house fire[99] she made her assistant go back into the house to save pieces of art. She also claimed that she ripped an oxygen mask off the assistant and gave it to her dog. She then proceeded to fire him when he did not find the situation funny, believing he might have lung damage from smoke inhalation, saying "he showed absolutely no sense of humour" during the fire. After the usual deliberations by fellow panellists, she confirmed the incident to be true.[100][101][102]
The clip of Osbourne's story on the show that was uploaded by the official BBC YouTube Channel was met with an overwhelmingly negative reception. There was also a considerable backlash from Twitter users.[103][104] Following the backlash, Osbourne backtracked on her claims onThe Talk in January 2020. She said: "I told a true story about a fire I had in my house. He went in, he got the paintings out. And then, just to be precocious, I said at the end of this little thing I was doing, 'Oh, and then I fired him.' It was a joke because I was on a comedy show. I fired him about 15 years later." Her response was met with scepticism.[105]
In April 2025, Osbourne criticised theCoachella organiserGoldenvoice for booking the Irish rap groupKneecap. Their performance included "Free Palestine" chants and projected messages condemning theGaza genocide and the Israeli and US governments, which were censored in the livestream. Goldenvoice claimed to be "blindsided" by the solidarity messages in Kneecap's performance, which Osbourne said was "implausible" as she was aware of "certain people in the industry" who had expressed concern about Kneecap's inclusion in the line-up. Osbourne called for the revocation of the band members'work visas. In a response toRolling Stone, Kneecap memberMo Chara reaffirmed the group's commitment to Palestine solidarity and suggested that Osbourne listen to "War Pigs".[106][107]
Sharon Osbourne (then Sharon Levy) met her future husband,Black Sabbath vocalistOzzy Osbourne, at the age of 18, while working for her father, Don Arden (born Harry Levy), who was managing Black Sabbath at the time. When Ozzy was fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, Sharon started to date him and took over his management as a solo artist. The two were married inMaui, Hawaii, on 4 July 1982.[108] Together, Sharon and Ozzy have three children:Aimee (1983),Kelly (1984) andJack (1985).[109] Before her successful pregnancies Osbourne had tried three times previously to have children with her husband, each resulting in a miscarriage. Afterwards she had an operation to deal withcervical weakness. The first miscarriage happened after she was attacked by her parents' two dogs. Osbourne attributed her weak cervix to an abortion she had at age 17, which she regrets and felt her mother coerced her into having. Ozzy died on 22 July 2025 after suffering from Parkinson's disease for years.[110][111]
In July 2002, after colon cancer claimed the life of Reagan Erin Marcato, the mother of then-18-year-old sonRobert who was a friend of Osbourne's daughter Kelly, Osbourne told theBBC that she had adopted Robert;[109] however, when he was later sent to live with his biological father following a nervous breakdown, Osbourne denied having legally adopted him.[112]
Osbourne had dealt withbulimia for many years.[113] In 1999, Osbourne lost 100 pounds (45 kg) afterlap-band surgery (adjustable gastric band). Osbourne commented that being large was an essential part of her persona when she worked for her father and that when she was larger, she made a more dramatic entrance.[9] On 26 October 2006, she went onThe Howard Stern Show and revealed that she gained 15 pounds in the last year and would be having her plastic band removed.
In July 2002, Osbourne had surgery for cancer.[114] She announced it wascolon cancer and had spread to herlymph nodes and was more serious than originally thought.[115] She survived the disease against a 33% survival prognosis. She insisted that the MTV cameras document her illness during the filming of the second season ofThe Osbournes. When Osbourne's hair fell out during her subsequent treatment, her wigs were custom made byCher's wigmaker.[9] Ozzy Osbourne admitted that he "fell apart" during her treatment and recovery,[116] and it was revealed that her son, Jack Osbourne, tried to commit suicide because of depression stemming from his mother's condition.[117]
In August 2004, she founded the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program atCedars Sinai Hospital. In addition, she was the honoured guest at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's 2003 Fall Gala,[118] where she spoke of her cancer. Osbourne has lent her support to design limited edition T-shirts or vests for the 'Little Tee Campaign' for Breast Cancer Care which donates money for breast cancer research.[118]
Osbourne has freely admitted to having extensivecosmetic surgery. As well as documenting this in her autobiography, she appeared onDr. Phil on 14 December 2006, and commented on everything that had been surgically changed on her body to improve her appearance. She stated that she had had a fullrhytidectomy,abdominoplasty,mastopexy, as well as many other procedures, but commented that she would not have any surgery performed on her eyes or lips.[119] She has admitted to spending £300,000 on plastic surgery.[120]In early November 2012, Osbourne revealed she had undergone a double mastectomy after learning she had a gene that increases the risk of developing breast cancer.[121]
For years, the Osbourne marriage was plagued by alcohol, drug use, and violence, with Osbourne[citation needed] having even been arrested fordriving while intoxicated. The couple used to physically fight regularly and, according to Osbourne, they would "beat the shit out of each other."[3] She has described herself as "a beaten woman" when she was at the hands of husband Ozzy where he once knocked out her front teeth. She once retaliated by throwing a full bottle of scotch at his head.[9] The most notorious incident arose in August 1989, when Ozzy was arrested for attempted murder after he had returned from theMoscow Music Peace Festival, and tried to strangle his wife in a haze of alcohol and drugs.[3] After the incident, Ozzy spent six months in rehabilitation as a result of his actions, after which time Sharon Osbourne said she regained her strength in their relationship and did not press charges.[114]
In 2004, Osbourne's home inJordans, Buckinghamshire, was burgled by a man who stole gems worth £2 million. The burglar managed to get away with the gems despite being put in a headlock by Ozzy. Items taken during the burglary included wedding rings, an engagement ring, pearl and diamond necklaces, a large 52 carat (10g)sapphire ring and two pairs of diamond earrings. After the incident, Osbourne appeared onCrimewatch and offered a reward of £100,000 for the return of her valuable jewellery.[122]
In March 2005, there was an incident in the Osbournes' mansion in Jordans, Buckinghamshire. Ozzy and Sharon were forced to flee their mansion when a blaze broke out as they slept. They were not injured but had to be treated for smoke inhalation.[123] In 2006, another fire broke out at the Osbourne's mansion; however, none of the family was at home.[124]
In February 2024, Osbourne revealed that she tried to take her own life in 2016 after learning of her husband's affair with hairdresser Michelle Pugh.[125][126]
Osbourne has taken upfalconry, which she mentions is helping her heal after the death of long time partner Ozzy Osbourne.[127]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Rock Wives | Herself | |
| 1998 | Behind the Music | 1 episode | |
| 2001 | Fan Club | ||
| 2002–2005 | The Osbournes | Main role, also executive producer | |
| 2003–2004 | The Sharon Osbourne Show | Presenter | Chat show |
| 2004 | Days of Our Lives | Herself | 2 episodes |
| Battle for Ozzfest | Also executive producer | ||
| Bo' Selecta! | 2 episodes | ||
| Will & Grace | Nonny | Episode: "No Sex 'N' the City" | |
| 2004–2016 | Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway | Herself / Guest Announcer | 6 episodes |
| 2004–2007, 2013, 2016–2017 | The X Factor | Judge | |
| 2005 | Top of the Pops | Guest Presenter | 1 episode |
| 2006 | The X Factor: Battle of the Stars | Judge | |
| The Sharon Osbourne Show (U.K.) | Presenter | Chat Show | |
| 2006–2010 | The Big Gay Sketch Show | Herself | 8 episodes |
| 2007 | Doctor Who | Episode: "The Sound of Drums" | |
| Shrink Rap | 1 episode | ||
| The Friday Night Project | Guest Presenter | 2 episodes | |
| 2007–2012 | America's Got Talent | Judge | Seasons 2–7 |
| 2008–2009 | Rock of Love: Charm School | Host | |
| 2009 | WWE Raw | Co-host | AlongsideOzzy Osbourne; 2 episodes |
| Osbournes Reloaded | Herself | Main role, also executive producer | |
| Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan | Episode: "Inside Puppy Mills" | ||
| Piers Morgan's Life Stories | 1 episode | ||
| 2009–2023 | The One Show | Guest; 6 episodes | |
| 2010–2021 | The Talk | Co-host | Seasons 1-11 |
| 2010 | The Celebrity Apprentice | Contestant | Season 9, 3rd place |
| A Comedy Roast | Herself | Episode: "Sharon Osbourne: A Comedy Roast" | |
| 2011 | RuPaul's Drag Race | Guest Judge | 1 episode |
| After Lately | Herself | ||
| God Bless Ozzy Osbourne | Also executive producer | ||
| Same Name | 1 episode | ||
| 2012 | Up All Night | ||
| 2012–2015 | Jake and the Never Land Pirates | Mama Hook (voice) | |
| 2013 | The Millers | Herself | 1 episode |
| Family Guy | Herself (voice) | Episode: "No Country Club for Old Men" | |
| 2014 | The Comeback | Herself | 1 episode |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Elsie Massey | Episode: "Dead Rails" | |
| 2014–2024 | Loose Women | Herself | Guest; 10 episodes |
| 2016 | Supergirl | Episode: "Falling" | |
| The Price Is Right | Celebrity edition | ||
| The 7D | Duchess of Drear (voice) | 1 episode | |
| 2017 | Celebrity Gogglebox | Herself | |
| 2018 | Happy Together | ||
| Jane the Virgin | Episode: "Chapter Seventy-Four" | ||
| Ozzy & Jack's World Detour | 1 episode | ||
| 2019 | Who Do You Think You Are? | Documentary | |
| Would I Lie to You? | Guest; 1 episode | ||
| 2020 | Lucifer | Cameo appearance; 1 episode | |
| The Masked Singer UK | Guest Judge | Series one, episode 5 | |
| The Conners | Herself | 1 episode | |
| Kidding | |||
| 2020–2021 | The Osbournes Want to Believe | 28 episodes | |
| 2021 | Celebrity Watch Party | 6 episodes | |
| Let's Make a Deal | Guest; 1 episode | ||
| 2022–2023 | The Talk | Host | Weekdays |
| 2022 | Shopping with Keith Lemon | Herself | Special guest; 1 episode |
| The Five | Guest Co-host | 1 episode | |
| 2024 | Celebrity Big Brother | Celebrity Lodger | Series 23 |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | We Sold Our Souls for Rock 'n Roll | Herself | Also producer |
| 2002 | Austin Powers in Goldmember | Cameo | |
| 2006 | Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties | Christophe | Voice role |
| It's a Boy Girl Thing | Della Deane | ||
| 2012 | Sunset Strip | Herself | Documentary |
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