Amid his health issues, Beach Boys icon Brian Wilson has two of his loves – family and music – around him.
ET’s Nichelle Turner recently spoke with Wilson’s famous daughter, Carnie Wilson, who shared an update on her legendary father as he battles a “major neurocognitive disorder.” according to a February guardianship order.
“It’s been a difficult month,” she says, citing the death of his longtime wife, Melinda Ledbetter, in January. However, Carnie guarantees that the 81-year-old musician is “good”.
“Yesterday I had the best Easter of my life with him,” she told ET. “I just held his hands and we sang the Elton John song called ‘Your Song’ to each other.” Carnie noted that she, her father, her husband and her daughter sang Beach Boys songs with him and had dinner together. “He has so many wonderful people around him,” she says. “Our family is coming together and we are taking care of him and that’s all that matters.”
Carnie also credits music with uplifting the father of seven. “He’s getting older now, but he still has that spirit. He’s like a bull. This man is so strong. He’s the strongest person I’ve ever met and he’s sweet and sensitive at the same time and he’s fragile, but he’s strong, so music keeps him alive,” she says. “He listens to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin… He puts on his music every day.”
Carnie’s update comes just over a month after a petition was filed requesting that LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers — her business manager and publicist — be named Brian’s co-conservators. According to the file, obtained by ET, his psychiatrist believes Brian lacks the capacity to give informed consent to medical treatment.
“Following the passing of Brian’s beloved wife, Melinda, after careful consideration and consultation between Brian, his seven children, Gloria Ramos and Brian’s doctors (and consistent with the family processes implemented by Brian and Melinda), we are confirming that representatives of longtime Wilson family members LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers will serve as co-conservators of Brian’s person,” his family said in a statement to ET. “This decision was made to ensure that there will be no extreme changes to the home and that Brian and the children living at home will be cared for and remain in the home where they are cared for by Gloria Ramos and the wonderful home staff. who have been there for many years helping to take care of the family. Brian will be able to enjoy all his family and friends and continue to work on current projects as well as participate in any activities he chooses.
Carnie told ET, “His kids are close to him, we support him, he has love around him and he’s doing well.”
As for the Wilson Phillips singer, Carnie is busy in the kitchen as she prepares to host her own cooking show, Looks delicious with Carnie Wilsonset to premiere on AXS TV on April 16.
“I think timing is everything and things happen when they’re supposed to,” she says. “Life happened, kids now – they’re getting older and I can really focus on my true passion which is cooking and baking.”
Additionally, Carnie is infusing her show with her other passion, music. “Music and food for me go together and that’s what it’s all about,” she says. “The guests we have on the show, I mean, I’m always playing music in the kitchen.”
Carnie adds, “Music and food are therapy, so we thought, why don’t we combine that? And that’s why it’s called Looks delicious… it’s the perfect title and the guests are great. It’s so fun.”
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