Wilson was born Margarita Ibrahimoff (Bulgarian: Маргарита Ибрахимов; Greek: Μαργαρίτα Ιμπραΐμοβ) in Los Angeles, California. Her mother was born and raised in an ethnic Greek village (Sotirë) in present-day Albania. Her father, born Hassan Ibrahimoff (March 21, 1920 – March 6, 2009), worked at a race track; he was a Bulgarian Muslim immigrant, born in Oraio, Xanthi, Greece, and lived in Bulgaria, where his half brother Ferhat still lives,[ before moving to the United States on May 4, 1949. Wilson's father changed his name from Hassan Ibrahimoff to Allan Wilson in 1960, "Wilson" being the name of a local street in Southern California. Wilson was raised in the Greek Orthodox religion.
Wilson's career began with a guest appearance on The Brady Bunch, in a 1972 episode entitled "Greg's Triangle," which was followed by appearances on several shows during the 1970s and 1980s (including Three's Company in 1982).
She has appeared in several movies, including Volunteers, Teen Witch, The Bonfire of the Vanities, Barbarians at the Gate, Mixed Nuts, Sleepless in Seattle, Now and Then, That Thing You Do!, Jingle All the Way, Runaway Bride, Invisible Child, The Story of Us, and Raise Your Voice. She played Susan Borman, wife of astronaut Frank Borman, in the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon. On television, she guest starred in many television series, including Frasier, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Good Wife and Body of Proof.
Wilson has performed on Broadway, where she performed the role of Roxie Hart from June–August 2006 in the revival of Chicago.
She is often credited with being the driving force behind Nia Vardalos' movie deal for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which became the highest-grossing independent film of all time, and for which she served as a producer.
Wilson's debut solo album, AM/FM, will be released May 8, 2012, on Decca Records. The album will feature classics from the 60s and 70s.
Wilson married actor Tom Hanks in 1988, and they have two sons, Chester and Truman. Wilson has two stepchildren, Colin and Elizabeth Hanks. Wilson has one grandchild, and two step-grandchildren.
Bigger Picture
Rita Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dusted off the cover, dusted off myself
Laid it in my lap and I opened it up
To find who I am in who I was
Wonder Woman cape on a wide-eyed girl
Dreams too big for a small town world
Faded red ribbon from my first track meet
Second place never was enough for me
You wanna win but you compromise
You lose yourself in all the lies
'Til you're someone you hardly recognize
Oh, they say you can't move forward when you're lookin' back
But I'm hopin' there's some answers hidden somewhere in the past
Every snapshot, memory, missing piece
Just might put me back together
Help me see the bigger picture
White corsage, senior prom
Christmas from the year that I lost my mom
Wedding day wavin' from the back of a car
Before broken vows and broken hearts
Now I'm time and tears and years removed
From a world of hurt I can't undo
Lost and searchin' for some kind of clue
Oh, they say you can't move forward when you're lookin' back
But I'm hopin' there's some answers hidden somewhere in the past
Every snapshot, memory, missing piece
Just might put me back together
Help me see the bigger picture
The girl I thought I was isn't lost in yesterday
Am I strong enough to turn another page?
They say you can't move forward when you're lookin' back
But I found a couple answers hidden right here in my past
Every snapshot, memory, missing piece
Just might put me back together
Help me see the bigger picture
Oh, the bigger picture
Took an old scrapbook off a closet shelf
Dusted off the cover, dusted off myself
In the first verse of "Bigger Picture," Rita Wilson reflects on her journey of self-discovery by metaphorically opening an old scrapbook. This scrapbook represents her past experiences and memories that she has kept hidden away. As she dusts off both the physical cover and herself, it suggests that she is ready to revisit her past and understand how it has shaped her present self. By opening the scrapbook, she hopes to find a connection between her past and her present identity.
The lyrics go on to describe a young girl with big dreams, symbolized by the Wonder Woman cape, who grew up in a small town. She had aspirations beyond the limitations of her environment. The faded red ribbon from a track meet represents the desire for success and the drive to be the best, as second place was never enough for her. This suggests that the younger version of Rita Wilson was ambitious and determined to fulfill her dreams.
The second verse delves deeper into Wilson's past, with snapshots of significant moments. A white corsage from her senior prom brings up memories, contrasted with the Christmas of the year her mother passed away, highlighting the juxtaposition between joy and sadness. The mention of her wedding day and broken vows alludes to the dissolution of a marriage and the heartache that followed. These experiences have left her feeling lost and searching for answers, years removed from the pain but still affected by it.
Throughout the song, Wilson contemplates the idea of moving forward while simultaneously looking back. She acknowledges the common belief that dwelling on the past hinders progress. However, she also hopes that her past holds answers and insights that can help her piece herself back together and gain a clearer view of her life's bigger picture.
By the end of the song, Wilson realizes that the girl she used to be is not lost in the past; she is still a part of her. She wonders if she possesses the strength to turn another page in her life and continue growing. The repetition of the idea that you cannot move forward while looking back is challenged as Wilson finds some answers hidden within her past. The snapshots, memories, and missing pieces she uncovers in her scrapbook provide the opportunity for self-reflection and understanding, potentially leading her to see the bigger picture of her life. The final lines suggest that by revisiting her past and embracing it, Wilson can reclaim parts of herself that were left behind, fostering personal growth and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Took an old scrapbook off a closet shelf
Retrieved a forgotten scrapbook that was stored away in a hidden place
Dusted off the cover, dusted off myself
Removed the dust from the book's cover and metaphorically dusted off my own past
Laid it in my lap and I opened it up
Placed the scrapbook on my lap and opened it to explore its contents
To find who I am in who I was
Seeking to discover my identity and understand how my past shaped me
Wonder Woman cape on a wide-eyed girl
A young girl full of wonder and dreams, imagining herself as a superhero
Dreams too big for a small town world
Aspiring for greater things beyond the limited opportunities in a small town
Faded red ribbon from my first track meet
A worn-out red ribbon symbolizing participation in my initial running competition
Second place never was enough for me
Not satisfied with being the runner-up, always striving for first place
You wanna win but you compromise
Having a strong desire to succeed, but sacrificing one's principles along the way
You lose yourself in all the lies
Becoming caught up in deception and falsehood, losing one's authentic self
'Til you're someone you hardly recognize
Continuing down that path until you no longer recognize the person you have become
Oh, they say you can't move forward when you're lookin' back
Conventional wisdom suggests that progress is hindered by dwelling on the past
But I'm hopin' there's some answers hidden somewhere in the past
Despite the advice, I maintain hope that the past holds answers and insights
Every snapshot, memory, missing piece
Every photograph and recollection, even the fragments of memory
Just might put me back together
Possibly helping me reconnect with my true self and heal my brokenness
Help me see the bigger picture
Assist in gaining a broader understanding and perspective of my life
White corsage, senior prom
A white floral accessory worn on my wrist during the senior prom
Christmas from the year that I lost my mom
Relating to a past Christmas when I experienced the loss of my mother
Wedding day wavin' from the back of a car
On my wedding day, joyful and waving from the rear of a car
Before broken vows and broken hearts
Before my marriage suffered from broken promises and emotional pain
Now I'm time and tears and years removed
Having gone through the passing of time, shedding tears, and being distanced by years
From a world of hurt I can't undo
Unable to reverse the pain and damage that has befallen me
Lost and searchin' for some kind of clue
Feeling adrift and desperately seeking guidance or direction
The girl I thought I was isn't lost in yesterday
Realizing that the person I envisioned myself to be is still present despite the past
Am I strong enough to turn another page?
Questioning my strength and readiness to move forward and face new chapters in life
But I found a couple answers hidden right here in my past
Surprisingly, discovering a few solutions concealed within my own personal history
Oh, the bigger picture
Referring to the broader perspective and greater understanding of life's journey
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ann Marie Boskovich, Danny Myrick, Rita Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yasmin Barnes
Why didn’t I know that Rita Wilson could sing? She has a beautiful voice!
Debi White
I love her music. One of my favorites is Throw me a party.
MJ Hawk
Rita is very talented, check her out singing OPP Naughty by Nature.
Debbie Collins
I just saw something on MSN about her and through that I learned she did a song, "Throw Me A Party". I, too, was not aware she sang. Oh My!! Stunningly beautiful voice!!
Kelley Arnold
I love this song so much. I was meant to hear it when I did. Felt like it was perfect timing as I go through the biggest challenge of my life right now. "Am I strong enough to turn another page." <3
BLUE VELVET
KELLEY ARNOLD;; HEARD THIS TONITE ON TV BY ACCIDENT. I KNOW WHAT UR SAYING. I NEEDED SOMETHING LIKE THIS TONITE. BLESS U FOR WHATEVER UR DEALING WITH. I GET IT.
Sheryl Coley
Didn't know she could sing, she has a beautiful voice, love this song.
James WilderHancock
Wow! What a beautifully melancholy air, Rita. It has that wonderful quality of bittersweet nostalgia reminiscent of Dan Fogelberg's "Same Auld Lang Syne". "Bigger Picture" is a delicious taste of pensive reflection upon a rich life that still manages to look forward. The idea of looking back to move forward; an evolution of self built upon understanding the choices of ones past. That's what I get out of two listens, but this song feels like it may reveal more over time.
Yea, I kinda love it.
SkyWatcherExtraordinaire
1st listen. I didnt get all the words but what i felt was somber hope for the future.
Allison
James WilderHancock I love this description.
🎯Agreed! ✅