The music industry lost one of its most significant voices when Brian Wilson died Wednesday, June 11, 2025. The Beach Boys co-founder passed just nine days shy of his 83rd birthday. Understandably, online tributes from the likes of Paul McCartney and Jason Aldean have been pouring in nonstop since the news broke. However, the musical pioneer also leaves behind his family, including daughter Carnie of Wilson Phillips. The world met Lola Bonfiglio, Carnie’s daughter and Brian Wilson’s granddaughter, when she auditioned for a spot on season 23 of American Idol earlier this year. After news broke of Wilson’s death, Bonfiglio paid homage to her late grandfather in a touching social media post.
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Sharing a photo of the “Good Vibrations” icon holding her as a baby, the 18-year-old wrote, “i love you grandpa. you changed the world. you have left an invaluable mark on me and so many others and i am blessed to have had you in my life. i will forever do music in your honor. rest in music paradise.”
Offering condolences, music producer Rex Kudo commented, “he was one of THEE greatest to ever do it. A true inspiration and example.”
[RELATED: 3 Quick Facts on ‘American Idol’ Contestant Lola Bonfiglio, Daughter of Carnie Wilson]
Lola Bonfiglio, Granddaughter of Brian Wilson, Tried Out for ‘American Idol’
With Brian Wilson as her grandfather, Lola Bonfiglio “came out practically singing,” said her mom, Carnie Wilson.
The 18-year-old punched her ticket to Hollywood with her audition of Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow.” Unfortunately, the judges cut Bonfiglio after the first round of Hollywood Week. However, she had the opportunity to harmonize with her mother and aunt, Wendy Wilson, on their 1992 hit “Hold On.”
Following her elimination, Bonfiglio wrote that the experience “pushed me to work on my confidence as a singer, hone in on my artistry and songwriting, and not let a little heat stop me!”
Carnie Wilson Remembers Her Dad
After Brian Wilson’s death, both Lola Bonfiglio and Carnie Wilson took to social media to remember the man they knew. Sharing a photo of herself and sister Wendy with their father, Carnie wrote that she had “never felt this kind of pain before.”
“My Father @brianwilsonlive was every fiber of my body,” wrote the five-time Grammy nominee. “He will be remembered by millions and millions until the world ends. I am lucky to have been his daughter and had a soul connection with him that will live on always.”
Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson (no relation) commented, “He was an angel on this earth now he lives among the angels.”
Featured image by Jeff Golden/Getty Images
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