Carnie Wilson

Last updated

Carnie Wilson
Carnie Wilson Oct 2014 (cropped).jpg
Wilson in 2014
Born (1968-04-29) April 29, 1968 (age 55)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • television host
  • baker
  • co-founder of Love Bites by Carnie
Spouse
Robert Bonfiglio
​
(m. 2000)​
Children2
Parent(s) Brian Wilson
Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford
Relatives Wendy Wilson (sister)
Musical career
Genres Pop, pop rock
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • tambourine
Years active1989–present
Labels
Member of Wilson Phillips

Carnie Wilson (born April 29, 1968) [1] is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. She is the daughter of Brian Wilson and in 1989 co-founded the pop music trio Wilson Phillips with her younger sister Wendy. From 1995 onwards, she has also been a host or guest star on a variety of television shows.

Contents

Early life and musical career

Carnie Wilson was born in Los Angeles [2] on April 29, 1968, the daughter of Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys and of his first wife, former singer Marilyn Rovell of The Honeys. Her mother is of Jewish heritage, [3] while her father is of Dutch, Scottish, English, German, Irish, and Swedish ancestry. [4] [5]

She co-founded Wilson Phillips with her younger sister Wendy and childhood friend Chynna Phillips when they were in their teens. They released two albums, Wilson Phillips and Shadows and Light , which between them sold twelve million copies. The group also charted three No. 1 singles and six top 20 hits in the United States before disbanding in 1993.

Carnie & Wendy Wilson continued to record together, releasing the Christmas album Hey Santa! in 1993. They joined with their father for the 1997 album The Wilsons . Carnie also sang "Our Time Has Come" with James Ingram for the 1997 animated film Cats Don't Dance .

In 2003, Carnie attempted to launch a solo music career with the album For the First Time. The record featured a remake of the Olivia DiNucci-penned Samantha Mumba ballad "Don't Need You To (Tell Me I'm Pretty)", retitled "I Don't Need You To", as its first single. However, the single failed to gain interest and the album was ultimately shelved when Carnie regrouped with Wendy and Chynna as Wilson Phillips in 2004.

Reunited, the band released a third album, named California, which appeared on Sony Music's record label. The album featured cover songs, primarily from the 1960s and 1970s, and specifically highlighted the glory days of their parents' California-based musical groups: The Mamas & the Papas and the Beach Boys.

In 2006, Carnie released an album of lullabies, A Mother's Gift: Lullabies from the Heart, [6] created shortly after the birth of her daughter, Lola. She released her second solo effort in October 2007, a Christmas album entitled Christmas with Carnie , [7] featuring a song written by her husband, "Warm Lovin' Christmastime".

Television career

Wilson performing with Wilson Phillips in 2013 Carnie Wilson.jpg
Wilson performing with Wilson Phillips in 2013

From 1995 to 1996, Carnie hosted her own short-lived syndicated television talk show, Carnie! The series was launched during the mid-1990s wave of popularity in "tabloid" talk shows, which followed the sudden successes of Ricki Lake and Jerry Springer. Former Cosmopolitan magazine's Bachelor-of-the-Month Chris Greeley was a guest on the television pilot. Wilson found the experience a disappointment and a source of professional and personal frustration.[ citation needed ]

She later guest-starred on episodes of That 70s Show in 2001 and Sabrina the Teenage Witch , before joining the fourth season of VH1's Celebrity Fit Club in 2006.

Wilson has also been a correspondent on Entertainment Tonight and in 2006 hosted a special on E! titled 101 Celebrity Slimdowns. She became a cast member of the CMT series Gone Country in January 2008. In April 2008, she was a cast member of the VH1 series Celebracadabra . In July 2008, she starred in a show called Outsider's Inn .

She hosted GSN's new edition of The Newlywed Game , which premiered April 6, 2009, until late 2010, when she was replaced by Sherri Shepherd. [8]

In addition, a reality show starring Wilson, Carnie Wilson: Unstapled , began airing on the Game Show Network on January 14, 2010. [9] In August 2011, Wilson became a judge on the ABC show Karaoke Battle USA.

On January 2, 2012, she appeared on ABC's Celebrity Wife Swap , trading places with actress Tracey Gold for a week.

In the spring of 2012, Carnie along with her sister Wendy and childhood friend Chynna Phillips starred in their own reality show on the TV Guide Network about the rebirth of their band, Wilson Phillips. The show, called Wilson Phillips: Still Holding On, logged the journey of the trio getting back together to reform Wilson Phillips on the road, in the studio, and at home as working mothers. A pilot episode aired in November 2011. Seven additional episodes aired in April and May 2012.

Wilson starred in the Chopped "All Stars: Celebrities" episode and got to second place.

In 2013, Carnie became a member of "Team Rachael" on the second season of the Food Network's Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off . She came in second to Dean McDermott and won $10,000 for her charity, an autism research foundation.

She also frequently fills in as a guest host on CBS's The Talk .

In 2015, she played herself as an auto insurance claimant on a Progressive Insurance TV commercial. [10] On January 28, 2016, it was announced that she is going to be a contestant on The New Celebrity Apprentice (also known as The Apprentice 15 and Celebrity Apprentice 8). [11] On January 2, 2017, Wilson was the second contestant fired, finishing in fifteenth place, earning no money for her charity, The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America.

In July 2016, Wilson Phillips reunited and performed on ABC's Greatest Hits . [12]

In February 2017, Wilson made a guest appearance on the reality show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills .

Personal life

Marriage & family

Wilson married musician and producer Robert Bonfiglio in 2000. They have daughters born in 2005 and 2009. [13]

Her uncles were Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson. She is a cousin to Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love and his brother, former NBA player Stan Love, as well as Stan's son, Miami Heat player Kevin Love.

Bell's palsy diagnosis

On March 18, 2013, Wilson disclosed, through Twitter, that she had been diagnosed with Bell's palsy. [14]

Love Bites by Carnie

On August 26, 2017, Carnie and her business partner, childhood friend Tiffany Miller, opened Love Bites by Carnie, a commercial production bakery in Sherwood, Oregon, a suburb of Portland. Love Bites by Carnie makes gourmet, bite-sized cookies. [15]

Discography

with Wilson Phillips

as Carnie and Wendy Wilson/the Wilsons

Solo

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilson Phillips</span> American pop vocal group

Wilson Phillips is an American pop vocal group formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The group consists of sisters Carnie and Wendy Wilson, the daughters of Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, and Chynna Phillips, the daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chynna Phillips</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1968)

Chynna Gilliam Phillips is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is a member of the vocal trio Wilson Phillips and is the daughter of the Mamas & the Papas band members John and Michelle Phillips and half-sister of Mackenzie and Bijou Phillips.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Jardine</span> American musician

Alan Charles Jardine is an American musician who co-founded the Beach Boys. He is best known as the band's rhythm guitarist, background vocalist, and for occasionally singing lead vocals on singles such as "Help Me, Rhonda" (1965), "Then I Kissed Her" (1965), "Cottonfields" (1970), and a cover of the Del-Vikings’ "Come Go with Me" (1981). His song "Lady Lynda" was also a UK top 10 hit for the group in 1978. Other Beach Boys songs that feature Jardine on lead include "I Know There's an Answer" (1966), “Vegetables" (1967), a cover of Buddy Holly’s “Peggy Sue” (1978), and "From There to Back Again" (2012).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wendy Wilson</span> American singer

Wendy Wilson is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality who is a member of the pop trio Wilson Phillips. She co-founded Wilson Phillips with her older sister, Carnie, and childhood friend Chynna Phillips when they were in their teens. Wilson Phillips released two albums in 1990 and 1992 before splitting up. Wendy and Carnie released a Christmas album together in 1993, and an album called The Wilsons in 1997, with their formerly estranged father, Brian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford</span> American singer and first wife of Brian Wilson

Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford is an American singer who is best known as the first wife of Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson. She was also a member of two girl groups, the Honeys in the 1960s and American Spring in the 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In My Room</span> 1963 song performed by The Beach Boys

"In My Room" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher for the American rock band the Beach Boys. It was released on their 1963 album Surfer Girl. It was also released as the B-side of the "Be True to Your School" single. The single peaked at number 23 in the U.S. and was eventually inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. "In My Room" was ranked number 212 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dance, Dance, Dance (The Beach Boys song)</span> 1964 single by The Beach Boys

"Dance, Dance, Dance" is a song by the American rock band the Beach Boys from their 1965 album Beach Boys Today!. Written by Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, and Mike Love, it was first issued as a single in October 1964, backed with "The Warmth of the Sun". "Dance, Dance, Dance" marked Carl's first recognized writing contribution to a Beach Boys single, his contribution being the song's primary guitar riff and solo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Child of Winter (Christmas Song)</span> 1974 single by the Beach Boys

"Child of Winter " is a song by American rock band the Beach Boys that was released as a standalone single on December 23, 1974. Written by Brian Wilson and Stephen Kalinich, it was the only Beach Boys single issued between the albums Holland and 15 Big Ones. The B-side was "Susie Cincinnati".

<i>Hey Santa!</i> 1993 studio album by Carnie & Wendy Wilson

Hey Santa! is a Christmas album recorded by Carnie & Wendy Wilson. It was released in October 1993, and entered the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart on Christmas Day, 1993. The album was the first album recorded by the Wilson sisters after the group Wilson Phillips went on hiatus.

<i>Gone Country</i> (TV series) Country music-centric reality television series

Gone Country is an American celebrity reality television show in which contestants compete to become a country music singer. The winner gets a country single produced by host John Rich, one-half of the country duo Big & Rich. It aired on CMT, with reruns on TV Land, and VH1. On the first-season finale, Julio Iglesias Jr. was named the winner.

Gone Country uproots these seven musical celebrities and moves them into a Nashville mansion together to embark on a two-week adventure, hosted by singer-songwriter John Rich. Each celebrity will be paired up with some of Nashville's finest songwriters in an attempt to prepare them for a career in country music. In each episode, the cast competes against each other in challenges that will test them musically and physically to adapt to a country music lifestyle, both on and off the stage. At the end of the two weeks, the artist who is most prepared to impress a country audience, as determined by Rich, will record and release a song.

<i>Shadows and Light</i> (Wilson Phillips album) Album by Wilson Phillips

Shadows and Light is the second album by American vocal group Wilson Phillips, released in 1992 by SBK Records.

<i>California</i> (Wilson Phillips album) 2004 studio album by Wilson Phillips

California is the third studio album and the first covers album by American female group Wilson Phillips. The group reunited in 2003 to record their first studio album in twelve years released by Columbia Records. The album peaked at #35 on the Billboard 200, and sold 31,000 copies during the first week of its release.

<i>The Wilsons</i> (album) 1997 studio album by The Wilsons

The Wilsons is an album by a short-lived music group of the same name, consisting of Carnie Wilson and her sister Wendy Wilson, with some guest appearances by and collaborations with their father Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys.

Carnie Wilson: Unstapled is an American reality television show, starring game show hostess and singer Carnie Wilson. The show aired on Game Show Network (GSN) from January 14, 2010, to March 11, 2010. Filmed in southern California and produced by World of Wonder, the series chronicles the life of Wilson, host of GSN's The Newlywed Game, as she strives to lose excessive weight gained over the past decade. Wilson had a public fall out with the network after the series was broadcast and was criticized after gaining weight while on a diet featured on the show.

<i>Christmas in Harmony</i> 2010 studio album by Wilson Phillips

Christmas in Harmony is the fourth studio album by American pop group Wilson Phillips. A Christmas album, it is their first in six years, after their 2004 covers album California. The album sees them reunite with Glen Ballard, who also produced their first two albums.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (Wilson Phillips album) 2000 greatest hits album by Wilson Phillips

Greatest Hits is a compilation album released by female music trio Wilson Phillips. It is the group's first official Greatest Hits album. The group broke up in 1993, and did not reunite for this release until 2001. The liner notes features track-by-track commentaries by Carnie Wilson and Wendy Wilson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The 50th Reunion Tour</span> 2012 concert tour by the Beach Boys

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Jardine</span> American musician (born 1966)

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<i>Dedicated</i> (Wilson Phillips album) 2012 studio album by Wilson Phillips

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References

  1. ↑ "On This Day". The New York Times . April 29, 2001. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  2. ↑ Theakston, Rob. "Carnie Wilson Biography". AllMusic . Archived from the original on June 23, 2022.
  3. ↑ Rogovoy, Seth (June 20, 2022). "The secret Jewish history of the Beach Boys". The Forward . Archived from the original on June 23, 2022.
  4. ↑ White, Timothy (1996). The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the Southern Californian Experience. Macmillan. pp. 26, 75. ISBN   978-0-333-64937-4.
  5. ↑ Michael Thomas Meggison. "#71 Royal Descents, Notable Kin, and Printed Sources: The Immediate New England and Royal Ancestry of the Beach Boys". American Ancestors. New England Historic Genealogical Society. Archived from the original on August 23, 2014.
  6. ↑ A Mother's Gift: Lullabies from the Heart Carnie Wilson Allmusic.com, Review by Rob Theakston
  7. ↑ Christmas with Carnie Carnie Wilson Allmusic.com
  8. ↑ Burning Stubborn Fat Stores With NutriPlan! CC9 News, March 3, 2016
  9. ↑ Official GSN Site for CARNIE WILSON: UNSTAPLED
  10. ↑ "Progressive Insurance Commercial "Carnie" - AdWhois". adwhois.com.
  11. ↑ "Celebrity Apprentice Season 15 Cast Revealed: Snooki, Kyle Richards, Boy George and More!". US Weekly. January 28, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Watch Greatest Hits TV Show - ABC.com". ABC. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2016.
  13. ↑ Hammel, Sara (June 15, 2009). "It's a Girl for Carnie Wilson!". People . Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  14. ↑ This revelation was published in the Huffington Post.
  15. ↑ Pitz, Ray (July 22, 2017). "Love Bites by Carnie to host Aug. 26 opening with appearance by Wilson Phillips".
  16. ↑ "A Mother's Gift: Lullabies from the Heart". allmusic.com. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Christmas with Carnie". allmusic.com. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
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