NEWSCarnie Wilson Reveals What Kristy McNichol Told Her After Their Selfie: ‘We’re Going Viral’
Kristy McNichol reacted after her rare photo with Carnie Wilson took the internet by storm.
Aug. 13 2026, Published 8:57 a.m. ET
Kristy McNichol reached out to Carnie Wilson after their photo together went viral.
When Wilson shared the selfie with the 1970s super-private actress on Facebook, it started trending everywhere after catching the attention of McNichol's fans around the globe.
With her fame rekindled, McNichol reached out to the "Hold On" singer in an email, saying, "We’re going viral," as Wilson revealed on SiriusXM’s Jeff Lewis Live.
Carnie Wilson Shared How She Met Kristy McNichol
Carnie Wilson recalled mustering the courage to approach Kristy McNichol at Bob’s Big Boy.
Per Wilson's account, the two ran into each other at Bob's Big Boy, a casual restaurant famous for its double-decker hamburgers, with several locations in Southern California.
Recalling their meeting, the singer shared, "I just ran into her when we first arrived. I said, ‘Little Darlings is one of my favorite movies ever and The End with Dom DeLuise’... but it took a lot of courage."
Wilson Thought McNichol Wouldn't Recognize Her
Carnie Wilson thought that Kristy McNichol wouldn't immediately recognize her despite achieving global recognition through 'Wilson Phillips.'
Though she achieved global recognition through the pop group Wilson Phillips in the early 1990s, Wilson still thought that McNichol wouldn't immediately recognize her.
To her surprise, the Empty Nest actress proved her assumptions wrong.
"I said, ‘Hi, I’m Carnie,’ [and] she goes, ‘Oh, hi. Oh, I love you,’" she shared.
Even when Wilson shared the news of her meeting with her idol with her fans worldwide, McNichol wasn't upset with the rekindled fame.
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Wilson Confessed She Was 'Totally Fangirling' Over McNichol
Carnie Wilson revealed why meeting Kristy McNichol was such a special moment for her.
In her Facebook post, Wilson didn't shy away from admitting how she was "totally fangirling" with this pleasing coincidence of running into the 1970s teen star.
"Kris was a part of my youth," she gushed. "I told her how meaningful her movies are to me and my bestie."
When Jeff Lewis teased her for all the "fangirl" headlines that her photo inspired on his show as well, the singer added, "I love [McNichol]. I have always loved her."
McNichol Retired From Hollywood in 2001
Kristy McNichol revealed why she chose a private life over returning to Hollywood.
An incredibly private personality, McNichol found new fame in the 1990s when she was cast in NBC's Empty Nest, the Golden Girls spinoff. A two-time Emmy winner, she announced her retirement from Hollywood after 24 years in 2001.
She said in a statement, "My feeling was that it was time to play my biggest part — myself. I must say that it has been the best thing that ever happened to me."
"So many fans are disappointed that I’m not currently acting," McNichol acknowledged, per Entertainment Weekly. "However, some may not realize that the process I’m in at this time is necessary and vital for my personal happiness and well-being."
