Carnie Wilson is standing up for her daughter. During the “Music of the 90s” panel at 90s Con, the Wilson Phillips singer spoke about the backlash her daughter, Lola Bonfiglio, faced after auditioning for American Idol.
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“We’re human, and the internet is so cruel, and the comments are really pissing me off, and I can’t respond,” Carnie said, per People. “Would you encourage a doctor’s son not to be a doctor? Lola wants to be a singer, and they say these terrible things. And she was so hurt.”
Carnie noted that the “majority” of social media comments she saw about Lola’s audition were negative. That was disappointing to say the least for Carnie, who said she wants people to “understand” that she and Lola are “real people with real hearts and souls.”
It was equally upsetting for Lola, who was “trembling with nerves” when she covered Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow” for her audition. From her point of view, Carnie said Lola “did great” during her performance, noting, “I’m so proud of her.”
“I encourage her to do it because she loves to sing. But I’m so proud of her that she was even brave enough to audition,” she said. “She sounds so beautiful. I’m so excited for her future. She has a stunning voice.”
Lola’s audition ended with a singalong of Wilson Phillips’ “Hold On,” with Carnie, her sister Wendy Wilson, and her husband, Rob Bonfiglio, all participating.
“They asked us to sing, so we came and crashed the party,” Carnie said. “We love singing with her, and she sings with us on tour sometimes. She’s a really inspiring artist.”
Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan agreed, and sent Lola through to Hollywood Week after her audition.
Carnie Wilson Gushes Over Daughter Lola on American Idol
In a previous interview with Entertainment Tonight, Carnie explained why she encouraged her daughter to audition for Idol.
“I thought it was perfect, because the one thing I do love about American Idol… is that they really give all types of people—different styles, different genres—a chance,” she said. “Lola, she’s not this big Broadway-type singer, but she’s got something so honest and pure and lovely, sort of like this Joni Mitchell, Kasey Musgraves type of thing… She’s writing songs now. She’s really getting in to her artistry.”
Carnie couldn’t be more proud of the teen.
“I admire Lola. She does have this drive, at 18-years-old she’s got the bug,” Carnie said, before reflecting on Lola’s Idol audition. “I can’t describe the feeling, the pride. I respect her for following her dream… This is her calling, her true passion. Her soul shines through when she sings.”
Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless
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