On Sunday’s episode of American Idol, the legendary singer Carnie Wilson shocked the judges by joining her 19 year-old daughter Lola Bonfiglio as she auditioned.
Is there a Beach Girls future?
Carnie Joins Daughter For Audition
“I’m guessing you come from a musical family,” judge Carrie Underwood, 42, said before Lola began her audition.
“First, I’ve gotta get some family members,” replied Lola, who is the granddaughter of the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson. She proceeded to bring out her mother Carnie, 56, and her aunt Wendy Wilson, 55.
“Wilson Phillips?!” Carrie explained. This was a reference to Carnie and Wendy’s iconic band.
“This is so cool,” Carnie said, adding that they wanted Lola’s audition to be “a family affair.”
Lola then sang the classic Wilson Phillips 1992 hit, “Hold On.” Her father Rob Bonfiglio even accompanied her on the guitar. So how did it sound?
Afterwards, judge Lionel Richie, 75, praised Lola as a singer.
“You can tell that is a thing with family; everybody is genetically designed to just sound good together,” he gushed.
Carnie and Wendy chimed in to say that while they “love singing” with Lola, they “love Lola by herself even more.”
Related: Carrie Underwood Returns to American Idol in Season 23
Lola Sings A Second Song
Wanting to show her range, Lola went on to sing the 2019 Kasey Musgraves song “Rainbow.” This earned her some critiques from the judges.
“When you sing the lead, hold the story out longer. It could have been the nerves, but you were getting to the end and just cutting it off,” Lionel said.
Judge Luke Bryan, 48, had some thoughts on this performance as well.
“The tone and pureness, and the quality of your voice, that’s the perfect song for you,” he stated. “But this competition is going to require you to belt too, and let loose a little bit, filling up the room a little more.”
“If I’m on this show I’m going to push myself, that’s why I want to be on American Idol. I want to grow,” Lola responded.
Luckily for Lola, the three judges voted to unanimously send her through to Hollywood!
Related: Watch: Carrie Underwood Breaks Down In Tears Over ‘American Idol’ Contestant’s Powerful Story
American Idol Fans Respond
Unfortunately for Lola, however, some American Idol fans were not so happy about her audition. Indeed, they were quick to call her out for her “nepo baby” status, believing that she benefitted from having a famous family.
“How is this a fair audition? No one has others singing with them. But I like her as a person,” one person commented. Another added, “They should not have allowed her family to sing with her for her audition!”
“A nice voice but nowhere near someone who would have been deserving of being put through without her family there beside her,” a third frustrated American Idol fan wrote. A fourth sarcastically added, “Bring your famous mom to the audition… of course you’ll make it!!!!”
This is the 23rd season of American Idol. It is currently airing on ABC, and starting next week, it will be on both Sunday and Monday nights. The final round of auditions airs this Sunday. The next night, the Hollywood round will begin. Be sure to tune in to see if Lola has what it takes to make it to the top 24!
More About:Celebrity News