Contents
Who is Chynna Phillips?
American singer and actress Chynna Gilliam Phillips was born in Los Angeles, California USA, on 12 February 1968, making Aquarius her zodiac sign. She’s perhaps known best for two things: being a member of the pop vocal group Wilson Phillips, and for being the wife of famous American actor William Joseph Baldwin.
Education and early life
Chynna was raised alongside her six half-siblings in Los Angeles, by their late father John Edmund Andrew Phillips and her mother Michelle Gilliam Phillips; Chynna’s parents were both members of the popular folk rock ‘n’ roll vocal group The Mamas & the Papas.
Chynna became interested in both acting and singing at a very early age, and was seven when she made her debut film appearance in the 1975 family drama “Little Boy Blue”; she had no roles in the following 12 years, wanting to focus on her education.
Chynna studied at a local high school and appeared in a number of school plays, while she was also a member of a school band. She matriculated in 1986 and then chose to focus on her career, rather than go after a college degree.
Music career
The trio Wilson Phillips was founded by Chynna, Wendy Wilson and Carnie Wilson in 1989, and they released their debut self-titled album in the following year; it sold more than eight million copies. The girls’ second album “Shadows and Light” followed in 1992, and although it was certified platinum by RIAA, it was a commercial disappointment; the group members went their separate ways in the following year.
Chyna then began working on her solo career, and her debut album “Naked and Sacred” came out in 1995; it wasn’t as successful as Chynna had hoped, and she thus put her music career on hold.
The Wilson Phillips reunited in 2004 and released their third album “California”.
Chynna and American singer-songwriter Vaughan Penn formed the duo Chynna and Vaughan in 2009 – their only album, “One Reason” was released on 22 September of the same year.
SIX DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS! Day Four: An autographed Wilson Phillips Christmas in Harmony CD signed by Carnie Wilson, Wendy Wilson and Chynna Phillips! Head to our Facebook: https://t.co/4abBe475QT OR Instagram: https://t.co/Cp5Z14V8bj to enter, must like that page to qualify pic.twitter.com/ycsNZbIA1T
— Love Bites by Carnie (@LoveBitesCarnie) December 17, 2017
Wilson Phillips’ fourth album “Christmas in Harmony” was released in 2010, and was followed by their fifth album “Dedicated” in 2012; the three women went their separate ways once again, but reunited in July 2016 to perform on the TV show “Greatest Hits”.
Roles in movies
Chynna portrayed Mia in the critically acclaimed 1987 romantic drama “Some Kind of Wonderful”, which starred Eric Stoltz and Mary Stuart Masterson, and was directed by Howard Deutch. It follows Keith who’s begun dating Amanda, however, Keith’s best friend Watts has realized that she has feelings for him, while Amanda’s former boyfriend wants to get back at Keith; the film won a Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for Lea Thompson.
Chynna could then have been seen appearing in the crime mystery “Moving Target”, the science fiction comedy “The Invisible Kid”, and the sports comedy “Caddyshack II”, all released in 1988. She portrayed Mimi in the hit 1989 romantic comedy “Say Anything”, which starred John Cusack and Ione Skye, and was written and directed by Cameron Crowe. It follows a beautiful valedictorian who’s fallen in love with a noble underachiever right before she’s about to leave for college; the movie won one of its four award nominations.
The first half of the ‘90s saw Chynna appear in a number of Wilson Phillips’ music videos, including “You Won’t See Me Cry”, “Give It Up”, and “Flesh & Blood”.
In 1995, she portrayed Kim MacAfee in the musical comedy “Bye Bye Birdie”, which starred Jason Alexander and Vanessa Williams, and was directed by Gene Saks. The film follows rock ‘n’ roll star Conrad Birdie who’s about to join the US Army – it won one of its four award nominations.
Chynna’s since appeared in only two movies: the 2011 romantic comedy “Bridesmaids”, which was nominated for two Oscars for Best Writing, Original Screenplay and Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Melissa McCarthy), and the 2021 comedy “Church People”.
Roles in TV series
Chynna has only a single TV series role: she voiced Kitty in three episodes (2003-2006) of the popular animated action adventure “Danny Phantom”, which starred Grey Griffin and David Kaufman, and was created by Butch Hartman and Steve Marmel. It follows a 14 years old boy who’s received ghost powers, and the series won two of its seven award nominations.
Other credits
Chynna received special thanks for the 2004 documentary movie “Peaceable Kingdom” and the 2009 documentary film “Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home”.
Some of her most recent talk-show appearances have been in “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”, “GMA3: What You Need to Know” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show”.
Awards and nominations
Chynna was nominated for five Grammy Awards in 1991 and 1992, four of which she shared with Wilson Phillips.
She was also nominated for a 2012 Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Music, Adapted Song for “Bridesmaids”.
Love life and husband William
Chynna doesn’t usually speak about her love life in public, but it’s widely known that she and William have been married for close to three decades now, and that they have three children.
The two were introduced by a mutual friend in 1991, and exchanged vows in a large ceremony on 9 September 1995; William’s appeared in over 100 TV series and movies, but is perhaps still known best for playing Brian McCaffrey in the 1991 action mystery movie “Backdraft”.
Chynna gave birth to their daughter Jamison Baldwin on 27 February 2000, their son Vance Alexander Baldwin followed on 23 October 2001, and she gave birth to their second daughter Brooke Michelle on 6 December 2004.
There are no other men whom Chynna’s been with, that we know about; she’s married to William Baldwin as of July 2023, and they have three children together.
Interesting facts and hobbies
Chynna struggled with alcohol and drug addiction during her teenage years.
Her half-sister Mackenzie Phillips claimed in her memoirs, published in September 2009, that she (Mackenzie) had a consensual 10 year incestuous relationship with their father; while most people didn’t believe in Mackenzie’s claims, Chynna believed that these were true.
She was treated for anxiety in February 2010.
Chynna’s deeply religious and is a born-again Christian.
Her mother wanted to name her ‘India’ but her father protested, claiming that ‘she could as well name her China or Vietnam’.
Chynna’s paternal grandmother was Cherokee Indian.
The magazine “People” featured Chyna on their list ’50 Most Beautiful People in the World’.
She and American actor, producer and director Josh Brolin were born on the exact same day.
Anne Hathaway is one of Chynna’s favorite actresses, and some of her favorite movies include “The Intern”, “The Dark Knight Rises” and “Colossal”.
Height, eyes and wealth
Chynna’s age is 55. Her hair’s blonde and eyes are brown, she’s 5ft 8ins (1.73m) tall and weighs around 135lbs (60kgs).
Chynna’s net worth’s been estimated at over $6 million, as of July 2023.
