Donny Osmond and Harrah’s Las Vegas are facing a lawsuit after a concertgoer says she was seriously hurt by a giant inflatable ball tossed into the crowd at one of Osmond’s shows.
What happened?
The case started when Joanne Julkowski, who traveled from Illinois to see Osmond’s long-running Vegas residency, filed suit in February, per PEOPLE. She says that during a show on February 15, 2024, one of the glowing, oversized balls (nicknamed “Donny Balls” by fans) hit her in the back of the head. These balls are part of the show’s interactive routine, meant to get the audience involved. But Julkowski claims the ball’s impact was anything but fun—it left her with a traumatic injury to her right eye, including a retinal detachment that needed surgery. She says she’s also dealing with head and neck pain, trouble with her vision, and all the stress that comes with an injury like that.
All about the lawsuit
According to the lawsuit, Julkowski thinks Osmond, his production company, and Harrah’s Las Vegas dropped the ball on safety. She says they failed to properly hire, train, and supervise the people running the interactive parts of the show. She also argues that Harrah’s didn’t do enough to keep the audience safe, allowing these huge props to fly through a packed, dimly lit crowd without enough warning or precautions.“Ms. Julkowski went to the Donny Osmond show expecting a fun, family‑friendly experience and instead left with a serious, life‑altering injuries that continue to affect her daily life,” her attorney Lindsay Roginski told PEOPLE in a statement. “It is unacceptable for a venue and a performer to place entertainment value over the safety of their patrons and fans. The choice to launch large objects into a crowd of people with no regard for their safety must be addressed and damages resulting from it must be remedied.“Julkowski’s injuries were serious enough that doctors had to operate to repair the retinal detachment. She might need more procedures down the line. The lawsuit also talks about the emotional toll — anxiety, distress, and a big loss of enjoyment in her daily life. While the base claim is USD 15,000 (which is the minimum for this kind of case in Nevada), she also wants punitive damages, which could mean a lot more if the court agrees that the defendants acted recklessly. Julkowski’s attorney says she came expecting a fun, family-friendly night and left with injuries that still affect her life.
Donny Osmond Vegas show: What we know
Osmond’s Vegas shows are known for their high energy and nostalgia, with audience participation as a big draw. He’s been performing at Harrah’s since 2021, after decades of shows on the Strip. Interactive props like inflatable balls aren’t just an Osmond thing; other artists have used them too, and there have been injuries at other concerts. The whole situation brings up bigger questions about how venues and performers handle safety when they invite fans to join in the fun.As of now, Donny Osmond, Harrah’s, and their parent company, Caesars Entertainment, haven’t said anything publicly about the lawsuit. There’s been no word about changes to safety practices at the show, either.Disclaimer: The information in this report is based on a legal hearing as reported by a third-party source. The details provided represent allegations made by the parties involved and are not proven facts. The case is ongoing, and a final verdict has not been reached. The publication does not claim that the allegations are true.
