Carnie Wilson Reflects on Body Shaming and Industry Pressure During Wilson Phillips’ Rise to Fame

Carnie Wilson, a member of the iconic 90s girl group Wilson Phillips, recently opened up about the immense pressure and body shaming she endured during the height of her career. In a candid conversation on the "Magnificent Others" podcast with host Billy Corgan, Wilson recounted a particularly hurtful experience involving a music executive’s insensitive comment about her weight, highlighting the pervasive culture of body image scrutiny that dominated the entertainment industry at the time.

The incident occurred while Wilson, along with her sister Wendy Wilson and Chynna Phillips, were in the process of recording their debut album. According to Wilson, the music executive approached her with a question that left her devastated: "What are we going to do about this weight problem of yours?" The comment, delivered with a casual disregard for her feelings, struck a deep chord.

"I remember running into the bathroom and just sobbing," Wilson revealed. The unexpected remark exposed the vulnerability she felt as a young artist navigating the unforgiving landscape of the music industry. It forced her to confront the intense pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, a pressure that would continue to plague her throughout her career.

Wilson confronted the executive about his insensitive remark. "Unacceptable. Like, how you hurt me so badly when you did that," she told him. The executive, realizing the gravity of his words, offered an apology, admitting, "I just can’t believe I said that. I am so sorry." However, Wilson noted that it took the music executive "years" to apologize to her. She confronted the exec, "You’re so funny and so great. And then you f—ing were an a–hole for saying that to me. Why did you do that?"

Wilson continued, "It’s like you lost control and you just really chose the wrong words. And were you really afraid that my fat was going to make us not successful?"

Corgan attempted to inject humor into the conversation, quipping, "See, if you’d been skinny, you would have sold 11 million." Wilson Phillips sold 10 million copies of their debut album. Wilson responded with a laugh, "Motherf—ers." Corgan added, "That’s how they think."

Wilson also shed light on the creative decisions made in music videos, emphasizing the efforts to minimize her appearance. "It was always, ‘Hide Carnie in the videos.’ I had to stay in this light for my chin," she explained, demonstrating how she would position her hand over her face to conceal her chin. Corgan commented, "That’s so humiliating."

Despite the challenges, Wilson revealed, "But I sort of embraced my role. I kind of liked it. It was kind of like a power thing. I was different… and that’s part of the armor I’ve had."

Wilson also recalled the restrictive and uncomfortable costumes she was forced to wear for the group’s 1992 "You Won’t See Me Cry" music video, where the group famously wore lingerie. "I was put in these corsets that were sucking me in and trying to make me look as skinny as possible," she said. "I was bleeding. I had sores on my waist from cinching and trying to look skinny. It was just awful."

Corgan observed, "So what strikes me… if Wilson Phillips came out today, you would have been embraced in such a different way. You’ve had something to do with that body positivity stuff, but who you are and what makes you who you are, people would be so different. It must strike you as slightly ironic."

Wilson acknowledged the irony, stating, "It’s ironic," before adding, "but I never tapped into that negativity. I don’t like negativity. I feel like everybody that made fun of me was just unhappy and it was an easy thing to do… it’s sad because I love to lift people up… I could not understand why somebody would just make fun of me. Like, focus on the music. Who cares if I’m heavier than the other two?"

Wilson’s story serves as a stark reminder of the damaging effects of body shaming and the pervasive pressure faced by women in the entertainment industry. Her willingness to share her experiences highlights the progress that has been made in promoting body positivity and inclusivity. However, it also underscores the need for continued efforts to create a more accepting and supportive environment for artists of all shapes and sizes.

Wilson’s strength and resilience in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration to others who have struggled with body image issues. Her refusal to succumb to negativity and her commitment to lifting others up demonstrate the power of self-acceptance and the importance of challenging harmful societal norms.

The conversation between Wilson and Corgan not only sheds light on the challenges faced by female artists in the 90s but also prompts reflection on the ongoing journey towards body positivity and acceptance. It serves as a reminder that true beauty lies not in conforming to unrealistic standards but in embracing individuality and celebrating the unique qualities that make each person special.