Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 17, 2025 · Entertainment

Chynna and Mackenzie Phillips Unite at Brian Wilson's Memorial: A Rare Family Reunion

Chynna Phillips posed for very rare photo with her half-sister Mackenzie Phillips at Brian Wilson¿s memorial. Mackenzie, 65, is best known for her role as Julie Cooper Horvath on the sitcom One Day At A Time with Valerie Bertinelli. She was also on Orange Is The New Black.

BRAVO! Chynna Phillips Spills Tea on Rare Family Photo Op with Half-Sister Mackenzie at Brian Wilson's Memorial

TheScholarlyNote.com has the scoop on a rare and intimate family moment between pop star Chynna Phillips, her half-sisters Mackenzie Phillips and Bijou Phillips, as well as their mom Michelle Phillips, at the memorial service for music legend Brian Wilson. The 82-year-old Beach Boys co-founder passed away in June after a long battle with dementia.

Chynna, 57, took to Instagram to share the heartwarming photo op with her family members, captioning it: "Brian Wilson's memorial was staggeringly beautiful. Wonderful to spend time with good friends and loved ones." She added hashtags #family and #inlovingmemory, giving fans a glimpse into the emotional reunion.

Also seen was Chyna's mother Michelle Phillips of the 1960s band The Mamas and the Papas. She posed with Brian's daughter Carnie Wilson at the intimate event

But what makes this moment so special is that Chynna's half-sister Mackenzie Phillips, 65, was also in attendance. The actress is best known for her role as Julie Cooper Horvath on One Day At A Time with Valerie Bertinelli and has appeared on Orange Is The New Black. Her presence at the memorial marked a rare opportunity for Chynna to connect with her sibling.

For those who may not know, Brian Wilson's daughters Carnie and Wendy were members of the hit-making pop trio Wilson Phillips alongside Chynna in the early '90s. The group shot to fame with hits like "Hold On," "Release Me," and "You're in Love." However, their relationship with their father was strained due to his struggles with mental health issues and substance abuse.

In a shocking admission, Carnie told the Los Angeles Times in 1992 that she and her sister Wendy hadn't spoken to their father in two years. The pain of growing up without a consistent father figure still lingers for the sisters. "We can't call him up and we can't see him," Carnie said at the time. "I guess we could, but we're so afraid of each other. I don't know what I would say to him."

Chynna is seen left as Michelle points to the camera

The Wilson Phillips ladies have been open about their complicated relationship with their father. In a 2020 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, they recalled their childhood as "chaotic." Carnie has spoken candidly about the pain of growing up without a consistent father figure.

But in a stunning turn of events, Brian Wilson began to rebuild his relationships with his daughters in the mid-'90s. His younger children, whom he adopted with his second wife Melinda Ledbetter, have largely stayed out of the spotlight. Carnie and Wendy's reconciliation with their father marked a turning point for the family.

The trio went on to make music together again, with Brian even providing background harmonies on some tracks. In 2024, Carnie told UsWeekly that her dad remains one of Wilson Phillips' biggest cheerleaders. "He also loves Wilson Phillips," she gushed. "He's always asking me, 'How's Wilson Phillips?' I go, 'We're great, Dad.' He's funny. He's very proud."

Michelle, right, held hands with a friend

As Chynna and Mackenzie pose for this rare family photo, it serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges that come with fame and family dynamics. TheScholarlyNote.com is thrilled to bring you this exclusive scoop!

Here Michelle held up a glass of red wine as she talked to a male friend

She came to fame as a member of the pop vocal trio Wilson Phillips with Carnie and Wendy Wilson, the daughters of Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys; (Wendy, Chynna and Carnie seen in 1991)

'It was chaotic,' Carnie and Wendy recalled of their childhood during a 2020 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, adding that Brian's presence was often fleeting; (seen in 2018)

Carnie has spoken openly about the pain of growing up without a consistent father figure: 'We can¿t call him up and we can¿t see him,' Carnie told the Los Angeles Times in 1992 of Brian, with whom she hadn¿t spoken in two years at the time; (seen in 2001)