Chet Hanks admitted that his famous parents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, banned him from participating in reality TV, but revealed that they supported his decision to appear on MTV’s Surreal Life.
The controversial 33-year-old stars in the new series of the reality show in which he lives in a Colombian villa alongside the likes of Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak, Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir and singer Macy Gray.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com ahead of the season premiere, Chet revealed how he had to get his family’s approval before agreeing to the celebrity surveillance show.
‘They’ve definitely said (no reality shows) in regards to typical reality shows,’ the rapper began. ‘When this came up, we discussed it and we all agreed… we all agreed that this could be a great opportunity for me and it was perfect.
“They were very supportive. I was excited and so was everyone else.”
Chet Hanks has admitted that his famous parents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, previously told him not to appear on reality TV shows.
The troubled star, 33, revealed to DailyMail.com that the couple supported her decision to take part in MTV’s The Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets.
Chet is the eldest son of Oscar winner Tom, 68, and his longtime wife, singer Rita, 67. They are also parents to son Truman, 27.
Tom also has Colin and Elizabeth, with his late ex-wife Samantha Lewes.
Speaking about why he had avoided being in front of the cameras in the past, father-of-one Chet said: ‘I’ve been offered to do a reality show in the past… I’ve been getting offers for reality shows for a long time.
‘I’ve always said no, because every show I’ve been offered to be on has been all drama, fights, gossip, you know… really negative stuff.’
She continued: “And this is the first reality show… it’s the first one that’s not that kind of show. It’s really more about personal relationships and being able to show people a different side of yourself, personal growth and being open and vulnerable.”
Chet has long been synonymous with controversy, having made headlines over the years for his erratic behavior regarding drug and alcohol abuse.
He has also been accused of domestic abuse by an ex-girlfriend and of “cultural appropriation” for spending months imitating a Jamaican accent.
Chet made headlines last year when he claimed that his father — a beloved Hollywood leading man and philanthropist — was not a “strong male role model” for him.
He explained: “They were really supportive. I was excited and everyone was excited.”
The controversial star will be seen living in a Colombian villa alongside figures such as Olympic skater Johnny Weir and singer Macy Gray.
He recently shocked fans with a candid admission about the severity of his past drug addiction, claiming it was so bad that “cocaine addicts” told him to “chill out.”
Speaking about his hopes for how he would be perceived after starring on the show, Chet stated: “Just for people to see a different side of Chet Hanks… which I think they will.”
The trailer for the reality show reveals that we’ll see Chet getting cozy with Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Kim.
“Kim is a MILF,” Chet, whose devotion to God recently inspired him to change a tattoo, admits in a confessional.
The promotional clip then shows him and the mother of two going into a bedroom together, where a black-and-white night vision camera captures him crawling into her bed.
“That’s going to look terrible,” Kim is heard saying in her own confessional.
The celebrity surveillance show premiered on the WB network in 2003 but moved to VH1 for its third season before being revived by MTV in 2022 after a 16-year hiatus.
The series’ cast also includes Tyler Posey, singer Ally Brooke, rapper OT Genasis and model Josie Canseco.
Scandal-plagued Chet is just the latest member of the Hanks-Wilson family to appear on a reality show.
A trailer for the show hints at a possible romantic connection with Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak
Chet is seen crawling into bed at night during an upcoming moment on the show.
The Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets premieres July 23 at 9pm ET on MTV
Tom and Rita’s niece Carly Reeves went viral in June for having a massive meltdown on the set of the ABC series Claim to Fame.
Her shocking on-camera outburst came shortly after she learned she had been eliminated from the show in the first episode.
She began shouting insults at other contestants and sobbing about not having “more camera time.”
Amid the backlash, Carly told TMZ that her famous uncle was “totally fine” with her behavior and insisted his anger was “real.”
The Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets premieres July 23 at 9pm ET on MTV.
