Chynna Phillips and Billy Baldwin have faced serious strain during their more than 30 years of marriage. Phillips says there were periods when she considered ending the relationship.
The Wilson Phillips singer spoke about those difficult years at the Chiller Theatre Expo in New Jersey, saying she had sometimes thought about contacting a lawyer and giving up on the marriage.
What helped change course, she said, was Baldwin’s willingness to work deliberately on their relationship. The two made lasting changes instead of slipping back into old habits, Phillips explained, adding that they have been putting in a great deal of effort.
Phillips and Baldwin married in September 1995. They have three adult children: Jameson, Vance and Brooke.
The couple has also spoken openly about living apart at different times. In October, Phillips said they had moved into separate homes while trying to address their problems. Baldwin moved to a guest house about 50 yards from her, she said, and the arrangement seemed to be working, though she wasn’t sure what would happen next.
They had also lived separately in 2024, with Phillips in Santa Barbara and Baldwin in Beverly Hills. They later moved back in together before choosing separate homes again.
Now they’re preparing to share more of their relationship with viewers in a YouTube series called “Holding On: Billy and Chynna,” set to premiere Nov. 17. Phillips described it as a candid, sometimes funny look at marriage, with its good and difficult stretches. She admitted she might be a little biased.
A preview of the series shows the couple teasing each other about their disagreements. Baldwin tells Phillips she can’t admit when she’s wrong; she quickly says he can’t either. In another moment, he recalls her saying she wanted to spend her life with him, but “adjacent” to him.
Phillips also talked about growing closer to her sisters, Mackenzie and Bijou. She said the three didn’t spend much time together as children: Mackenzie and Bijou were closer, while Phillips was mostly raised as an only child. As they got older, she reached out more, and the sisters began spending more time together. Now, she said, they’re inseparable and trust one another deeply.
The sisters have had their ups and downs, Phillips acknowledged, but share a strong connection through their father, the late John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas.
Faith is important to Phillips, though she said it isn’t something she often discusses with her sisters. She said she prays for them and believes they know how much she loves her faith.
These days, Phillips enjoys a quieter life in Santa Barbara, with time for cooking, walks and long naps. With her children grown, she also spends time caring for her dogs, Hula and Hoops, and relaxing at home with Baldwin.
