Lola Bonfiglio stuns American Idol judges with little help from her famous family

The American Idol stage has seen its fair share of memorable auditions, but on March 23, it turned into a full-fledged family jam session. Lola Bonfiglio, daughter of Carnie Wilson and granddaughter of The Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson, walked into the audition room carrying a musical legacy—though she made sure to prove she could hold her own.
Before she even sang a note, judge Carrie Underwood picked up on something special. “I’m guessing you come from a musical family,” she said, clearly sensing a star in the making.
Lola, 19, played along, teasing the judges before calling in some backup. “First, I’ve gotta get some family members,” she said with a smile. Moments later, her mom Carnie Wilson, 56, and aunt Wendy Wilson, 55, walked in, instantly lighting up the room. The two sisters, part of the legendary pop trio Wilson Phillips, were there to support Lola—and even join in on the fun.
The judges’ reactions said it all. Underwood’s jaw practically hit the floor. “Wilson Phillips?!” she gasped. Carnie laughed, clearly loving the moment. “This is so cool,” she said. “It’s a family affair!” And with that, the audition turned into an unforgettable performance. The trio, backed by Rob Bonfiglio (Lola’s dad) on guitar, harmonized on Wilson Phillips’ iconic 1992 hit Hold On. Their voices blended effortlessly, a testament to the natural musical bond that runs through their family.
When the song ended, Lionel Richie, 75, nodded in appreciation. “That was good,” he said. Underwood agreed, adding, “You can tell that’s a thing with family—everybody is genetically designed to just sound good together.” Carnie and Wendy, beaming with pride, turned the spotlight back on Lola. “We love singing with her,” Carnie said. “But we love Lola by herself even more.”
Her voice was soft, yet rich with emotion—proof that she had more to offer than just famous genes. As she sang, the judges listened closely, taking in every note. When she finished, Richie offered his advice. “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.”
Luke Bryan, 48, praised her tone but reminded her that American Idol is about versatility. “The tone and pureness, and the quality of your voice—that’s the perfect song for you,” he said. “But this competition is going to require you to belt too, and let loose a little bit, filling up the room a little more.”