Celebrity Genealogy      Research - My Family

Discovering My Surprising Family Connection to Carnie Wilson of Wilson Phillips & The Beach Boys

It took me a few days to connect the dots, but imagine my surprise when I realized that Carnie Wilson and her sister Wendy Wilson—two-thirds of the iconic pop group Wilson Phillips—are actually my distant cousins! Even more incredible, their father is Brian Wilson, the legendary co-founder of The Beach Boys, who happens to be my 21st cousin once removed.

​

Wilson Phillips, Musical Legacy, and Family Ties

Of course, I already knew who Carnie and Wendy Wilson were. I’ve long admired their work with Chynna Phillips (daughter of John and Michelle Phillips from The Mamas & the Papas), and their hit Christmas song Hey Santa! is a seasonal favorite in my home.

What I hadn't fully appreciated, however, was the multi-generational musical legacy behind these talented women. I had always seen them as stars in their own right—famous for their chart-topping hits and not just their famous lineage. But once I realized our family connection, I couldn’t help but dig a little deeper.

​

Exploring Carnie Wilson’s Life Beyond Music

Since uncovering our shared ancestry, I’ve followed Carnie Wilson’s career more closely. She’s been active on television, social media, and even in the culinary world. Carnie owns a boutique bakery called Love Bites by Carnie, which offers gourmet baked goods (sadly, not yet shipping to Canada!).

​

Carnie is also very active in supporting charities and causes that are important and near to her heart, and she gives 100% of her support to these causes, and raises awareness of important charitable causes and issues through her strong following of fans.

​

A Star Who Stays Real: Carnie Wilson on Social Media

Carnie Wilson is active and engaging on Instagram and Twitter (X), often sharing her life at home with her two daughters, Lola and Luci—my 21st cousins, three times removed! Watching her live-streamed cooking and baking sessions during the pandemic, I saw a genuine, down-to-earth personality who connects with her followers with warmth and humour.

She’s also appeared on various TV shows, including a memorable cameo in a Progressive Insurance commercial where she played herself—one of many fun nods to her public persona.

​

A Touching Moment: Family History Shared and Appreciated

In one of my genealogical deep-dives, I came across a rare photo of Audree Neva Korthoff, Carnie's grandmother and the wife of my cousin Murry Gage Wilson. The image—taken from a 1935 high school yearbook—showed Audree in a vocal trio of her own, decades before Wilson family fame. I sent it to Carnie on Twitter, and to my delight, she personally thanked me. That message made my day—and made all the time spent researching family history feel truly worthwhile.

​

A Class Act: Kindness That Shines Through

In December 2022, Carnie posted on Twitter about the importance of kindness. I replied, sharing a story from a friend who had interviewed Wilson Phillips years earlier as they toured Toronto,  and she described Carnie as “charming and real.” Once again, Carnie responded personally—a small gesture that spoke volumes about her character. 

​

Carnie also sent me a handwritten note, along with an autographed CD of a Wilson Phillips album that I won in an online auction that Carnie had donated to raise funds for a Children's hospital in California. At the time I noticed that the CD hadn't been garnering many bids, so I bid what I could afford, and ultimately won the autographed CD.

​

This was during the height of COVID and the representatives of the auction asked me if I would mind waiting until things settled down (with COVID) and then Carnie would send me the CD when she felt comfortable enough to go out in public and mail the CD to me to which I obviously said "yes, absolutely".

​

Months later I received the CD by courier (!) and several months after that I noticed a small piece of paper was sticking out of the CD case (I had never opened the CD); upon opening the case I found a small handwritten apology for the delay in sending me the CD. Such a sweet gesture from a celebrity, and one that I was honoured to have received.

 

The note from Carnie, along with the CD, are now safely stored and will be kept and handed down to future generations so that they too can understand and appreciate the music that the talented Wilson and Phillips families have gifted to the world.

​

Honouring a Musical Dynasty

Though I’ve never met, Carnie, Wendy, their late father Brian or their late uncles Dennis and Carl Wilson, I feel connected through the incredible music they’ve gifted to the world. From The Beach Boys’ timeless California sounds to Wilson Phillips’ empowering pop anthems, this talented family has shaped the soundtrack of generations, including my own.