Carnie Wilson can’t help but hold on to some bad feelings about online trolls.
Carnie Wilson joined her sister and fellow Wilson Phillips singer, Wendy Wilson, when Carnie’s daughter Lola Bonfiglio, 19, auditioned on “American Idol” earlier this month, eventually making it through to Hollywood for the next round.
During the audition, Carnie Wilson and Wendy Wilson teamed up with Lola to sing Wilson Phillips’ 1990 hit “Hold On,” while Lola’s father, Rob Bonfiglio, played guitar. Afterward, Lola performed Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow” for her actual audition, earning raves from judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.
While appearing at a panel about ‘90s music with her sister and their bandmate, Chynna Phillips Baldwin, at 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut, on March 30, Carnie Wilson said Lola's audition was the “scariest thing she has ever done,” according to People. She also pointed out her daughter “was trembling with nerves.”
“She did great. I’m so proud of her,” Carnie Wilson said.
“And they asked us to sing, so we came and crashed the party.”
Carnie Wilson also said Lola has a background as a singer.
“We love singing with her, and she sings with us on tour sometimes. She’s a really inspiring artist,” she said.
Carnie Wilson, however, was not happy with some of the negative feedback she’s seen from people online.
“We’re human, and the internet is so cruel, and the comments are really pissing me off, and I can’t respond,” she said.
“Would you encourage a doctor’s son not to be a doctor?” she added. “Lola wants to be a singer, and they say these terrible things. And she was so hurt.”
Despite the harsh words, Carnie Wilson is all for her daughter pursuing a career as a singer and feels optimistic about what’s ahead.
“I encourage her to do it because she loves to sing,” she said. “But I’m so proud of her that she was even brave enough to audition. She sounds so beautiful. I’m so excited for her future. She has a stunning voice.”
Phillips Baldwin said she did read a few positive comments from fans, although Carnie Wilson said they were outnumbered by the negative ones. She also said people need to know that the mean words affect “real people with real hearts and souls.”
Interestingly, Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean was also on the panel. His bandmate Brian Littrell has a son, Baylee, who advanced to the next round of “American Idol” after his father joined him on the show.
“This is conflicting,” he joked while vowing to vote for Lola and Baylee during the competition.
