Band member Carnie Wilson recounts being humiliated about her weight before music video shoots with Wilson Phillips.
Rewritten Article:
Carnie Wilson spills the beans about the shadowy side of early stardom, focusing not on off-key tunes or stage jitters but on the weighty matters that commanded more attention than her striking vocals. In a revealing chat on Billy Corgan's The Magnificent Others podcast, the vocal powerhouse from Wilson Phillips opens up about her early years under the limelight, where her weight became a spectacle rather than her music.
Flashback to the early '90s. Wilson was gearing up to record just half an album when an exec from SBK Records, Arma Andon, made a remark that left a lasting scar.
Remembering the incident, Wilson said, "One day, [the record company] dropped by one of our sessions, maybe we had only recorded half the album, and [the exec] came in and said, 'What are we going to do about this weight problem of yours?'"
This remark sent Wilson rushing to the bathroom, where she let loose a torrent of emotions. "I just said, 'You know, I really think you're great and funny. And then you were an a--hole for saying that to me. Why did you do that?'" she later recalled.
Even though Andon ended up being a "good friend" later on, the damage was already done. The impact lingered, particularly during video shoots. Wilson revealed that she was often hidden in music videos and had to endure the harsh shadows to disguise her appearance.
"It was always, 'Hide Carnie in the videos,'" she said, showing with her hand how the shadows did the trick.
Surprisingly, Wilson discovered an odd kind of power in her uniqueness. "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," she explained.
However, being "different" came at a high price. Wilson recalled the painful experiences during the video shoot for their 1992 single You Won't See Me Cry, where she was forced to wear corsets to look acceptable.
"I was bleeding from wearing corsets that were sucking me in and trying to make me look as skinny as possible. I had sores on my waist from cinching and trying to look skinny. It was just awful."
Weight has been a constant battle for Wilson, who underwent gastric bypass surgery in 1999 and subsequent lap band surgery. But she seems to have found a healthier approach lately. In April 2024, Wilson told People that she gave up sugar and gluten in September 2023, shedding 45 pounds and embracing a newfound peace.
"I feel so much better," she said. "I treat my body with respect now."
While the search results do not provide specific information about the long-term effects of early fame and body shaming on Wilson's career and personal life, it's safe to say that her experiences resonate with many celebrities who have faced similar challenges. Navigating the expectations and misconceptions of the public eye can be a daunting task, imposing immense pressure on these individuals' mental health and their ability to thrive both professionally and personally.
- Carnie Wilson's recording journey was disrupted by comments about her weight, drawing attention away from her music.
- Arma Andon, an exec from SBK Records, left a lasting scar on Wilson with a comment about her weight problem.
- Wilson felt a mix of emotions when Andon made the comment, expressing her thoughts in the bathroom later.
- The encounter with Andon significantly affected Wilson, especially during video shoots where she was often hidden in the shadows.
- Wilson found a peculiar sense of power in her uniqueness as she navigated through the early years of her career.
- The video shoot for the 1992 single You Won't See Me Cry was particularly difficult, with Wilson being forced to wear corsets to look acceptable.
- Struggling with weight, Wilson underwent gastric bypass surgery in 1999 and subsequent lap band surgery.
- Recently, Wilson has adopted a healthier approach to nutrition, shedding 45 pounds by giving up sugar and gluten in September 2023.
- Wilson's experiences with body shaming resonate with many celebrities, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals navigating the expectations and misconceptions of the public eye in terms of health-and-wellness, personal-growth, and fashion-and-beauty.
