The Osbournes Speak Out: Protecting Ozzy’s Legacy Amid Exploitation and False Claims
In an emotional episode of The Osbournes Podcast, Sharon, Jack, and Kelly Osbourne opened up about the personal weight of losing Ozzy Osbourne, while also confronting the disturbing ways people have tried to capitalize on his passing. What began as a heartfelt reflection soon expanded into a discussion about opportunists, misinformation, and the challenges of navigating grief in the public eye.
The family described a range of situations — from people selling unofficial merchandise to individuals fabricating stories about final conversations with Ozzy during his last Black Sabbath performance in Birmingham. Sharon explained, “Yeah, you’ve got all the merch people that come out doing this stuff that’s all unofficial and whatever.” Kelly added that some have gone even further, falsely claiming to have shared meaningful last words with her father.
“People claiming that dad said things to them that he never said,” she shared. Sharon echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that they know exactly who visited Ozzy backstage that night: “Everybody gets on the bandwagon. ‘He said to me this at the last show…’ I know the people he spoke to because they had to come into the dressing room to see him.”
Kelly continued, “We’ve had quite a few nutters saying they’re speaking to dad from the grave. It really bothers me. I think it’s severely inappropriate.”
Unusual Claims and Fan Obsessions
The conversation also touched on bizarre behaviors from overly obsessed fans. Sharon remembered one particularly strange encounter involving a woman convinced she might be Ozzy’s child.
“We had one lady send us her toenails!” she said. Kelly clarified the disturbing package included “a toenail, some blood, hair.” Jack responded with uneasy humor, joking, “Do we need a DNA test? We have a new sibling!”
Reflecting on these situations, Sharon noted, “It’s like anything. You go on the internet, there’s always a group of people, the fanatics, the nutters… that’s life, you move on.” Jack added that some of the extreme reactions stem from genuine grief: “People are feeling this void. They’re like, ‘Holy shit, this guy’s gone.’”
Remembering Ozzy’s Lasting Influence
Sharon compared Ozzy’s magnetic personality to that of Robin Williams — both beloved, deeply approachable figures who could connect with anyone.
“People adored him… he was one of those charismatic people that people were just drawn to.”
Ozzy passed away less than three weeks after performing his final Black Sabbath show at the Back To The Beginning concert in July. His death sparked a massive outpouring of love from fans, musicians, actors, and public figures around the world. Beyond his legendary presence in rock music, the family emphasized the joy and authenticity he brought into people’s lives.
Reflecting on how he hoped to be remembered, Ozzy once said, “As a guy that tried to make people have fun with their lives.” And while he certainly did that, his legacy goes far deeper — in the inspiration he gave others, the honesty he carried, and the humanity he shared both on and off the stage.
Ozzy wasn’t just a performer. He was a presence — one that shaped people’s lives in ways both profound and personal, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations.
