Carnie Wilson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carnie Wilson
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Wilson in 2014
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| Born | April 29, 1968 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Spouse(s) |
Robert Bonfiglio
(m. 2000) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Wendy Wilson (sister) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | |
Carnie Wilson, born on April 29, 1968, is an American singer and television personality. She is the daughter of famous musician Brian Wilson. In 1989, she helped start the pop music group Wilson Phillips with her younger sister, Wendy Wilson, and their friend, Chynna Phillips. Since 1995, Carnie has also been a host or a special guest on many TV shows.
Contents
Carnie Wilson's Music Journey
Early Life and Starting Wilson Phillips
Carnie Wilson was born in Los Angeles, California. Her father is Brian Wilson from the legendary band the Beach Boys. Her mother is Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford, a former singer from the Honeys.
In 1989, Carnie, her sister Wendy Wilson, and childhood friend Chynna Phillips formed the group Wilson Phillips. They released two very successful albums, Wilson Phillips and Shadows and Light. Together, these albums sold twelve million copies! The group also had three songs reach No. 1 on the charts, including "Hold On." They had six more songs in the top 20 in the United States before the group took a break in 1993.
Continuing Music Projects
After Wilson Phillips took a break, Carnie and Wendy Wilson continued to make music together. They released a Christmas album called Hey Santa! in 1993. In 1997, they joined their father, Brian Wilson, for an album called The Wilsons. Carnie also sang a song called "Our Time Has Come" with James Ingram for the 1997 animated movie Cats Don't Dance.
In 2003, Carnie tried to start a solo music career with an album titled For the First Time. However, the album was not fully released because Wilson Phillips got back together in 2004.
Wilson Phillips Reunites
When Wilson Phillips reunited, they released a third album called California with Sony Music. This album featured cover songs, mostly from the 1960s and 1970s. It celebrated the music of their parents' famous California-based groups, The Mamas & the Papas and the Beach Boys.
Carnie also released an album of lullabies in 2006, called A Mother's Gift: Lullabies from the Heart. She made this album shortly after her daughter, Lola, was born. In October 2007, she released her second solo album, a Christmas album titled Christmas with Carnie. This album included a song written by her husband.
In 2011, Wilson Phillips had a fun cameo in the movie Bridesmaids. They sang their hit song "Hold On" at the wedding scene. In 2022, Wilson Phillips released a cover of Harry Styles' song "Boyfriends."
Carnie Wilson's Television Career
Hosting and Guest Appearances
From 1995 to 1996, Carnie hosted her own TV talk show called Carnie! She later appeared as a guest on shows like That 70s Show in 2001 and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. In 2006, she joined the fourth season of VH1's Celebrity Fit Club.
Carnie has also worked as a reporter for Entertainment Tonight. In 2006, she hosted a special on E! called 101 Celebrity Slimdowns. She became a cast member of the CMT series Gone Country in January 2008. In April 2008, she was part of the cast for the VH1 series Celebracadabra. In July 2008, she starred in a show called Outsider's Inn.
She hosted GSN's new version of The Newlywed Game from 2009 to 2010. A reality show starring Wilson, Carnie Wilson: Unstapled, started airing on the Game Show Network in January 2010. In August 2011, Wilson became a judge on the ABC show Karaoke Battle USA.
Reality TV and Cooking Shows
On January 2, 2012, Carnie appeared on ABC's Celebrity Wife Swap. She traded places with actress Tracey Gold for a week.
In the spring of 2012, Carnie, her sister Wendy Wilson, and Chynna Phillips starred in their own reality show. The show, called Wilson Phillips: Still Holding On, was on the TV Guide Network. It showed the trio getting back together to perform and balance their lives as working mothers.
Wilson also competed in the "All Stars: Celebrities" episode of Chopped, where she finished in second place. In 2013, Carnie was on "Team Rachael" for the second season of the Food Network's Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off. She came in second and won $10,000 for a charity that supports autism research. She also often filled in as a guest host on CBS's The Talk.
In 2015, she played herself in a Progressive Insurance TV commercial. In January 2016, it was announced that she would be a contestant on The New Celebrity Apprentice. She was the second contestant to be eliminated in January 2017.
In July 2016, Wilson Phillips reunited and performed on ABC's Greatest Hits. In February 2017, Wilson made a guest appearance on the reality show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
In 2022, she performed with Wendy and Chynna as the trio "Lambs" on the eighth season of The Masked Singer. They finished in second place. In April 2024, she launched Sounds Delicious with Carnie Wilson, a cooking/reality show on AXS TV. In March 2025, she appeared on American Idol with her 19-year-old daughter, Lola, who was auditioning for the show.
Carnie Wilson's Personal Life
Family and Relatives
Carnie Wilson married musician and producer Robert Bonfiglio in 2000. They have two daughters together.
Her uncles were Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson, who were also members of the Beach Boys. She is a cousin to Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love and his brother, former NBA player Stan Love. She is also a cousin to Miami Heat player Kevin Love.
Her stepmother, Melinda Ledbetter Wilson, passed away in January 2024. Melinda married Brian Wilson in 1995, and they adopted five children. Through this marriage, Carnie has five step-siblings.
Health and Wellness
Carnie Wilson has openly discussed her journey with weight management. She had surgeries in 1999 and 2012 to help her with her weight.
On March 18, 2013, Wilson shared on Twitter that she had been diagnosed with Bell's palsy. This is a condition that causes temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face.
Business Ventures
On August 26, 2017, Carnie and her business partner, Tiffany Miller, opened a bakery called Love Bites by Carnie in Sherwood, Oregon. This bakery made special, bite-sized cookies. The business closed in 2021.
Carnie Wilson's Music Albums
With Wilson Phillips
- Wilson Phillips (1990)
- Shadows and Light (1992)
- California (2004)
- Christmas in Harmony (2010)
- Dedicated (2012)
As Carnie and Wendy Wilson / The Wilsons
- Hey Santa! (1993)
- The Wilsons (1997)
Solo Albums
- For the First Time (2003)
- A Mother's Gift: Lullabies from the Heart (2006)
- Christmas with Carnie (2007)
Images for kids
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Wilson in 2014
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Wilson performing with Wilson Phillips in 2013
