Chet Hanks has admitted that his famous parents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, have banned him from appearing in reality TV shows, but they say they support his decision to appear on MTV’s Surreal Life.
The controversial 33-year-old stars in the new series of the reality TV show, which sees him living in a Colombian villa with Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak, Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir and singer Macy Gray.
Chet exclusively told DailyMail.com ahead of the season premiere that he needed his family’s approval before agreeing to the program that would spy on celebrities.
They must have said [no reality TV] “In regards to typical reality shows,” the rapper began. “When this came up, we talked about it and everyone was on board… we all agreed that this could be a great opportunity for me and it was perfect.
“They were really, really helpful. I was excited and everyone else was.”
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 his decision to take part in MTV’s The Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets
Chet is the eldest son of Academy Award winner Tom, 68, and his wife and singer Rita, 67. They are also parents to 27-year-old Truman.
Tom also has Colin and Elizabeth, with his late ex-wife Samantha Lewes.
Chet, a father of one, opens up about why he has shied away from the cameras in the past: ‘I’ve had offers to do reality shows in the past… I’ve been getting reality TV offers for a long time.
“I always said no because all the shows that offered me to come on were just about drama, fighting, gossiping, you know… just really negative.”
He continued, “And this is the first reality show… this is the first one that’s not that kind of show. It’s more about personal relationships and showing people a different side of yourself and personal growth and being open and vulnerable.”
Chet has long been a controversial subject, as he has been in the news in recent years for his erratic behavior regarding drug and alcohol abuse.
He has also been accused by his ex-girlfriend of domestic violence and of “cultural appropriation” for imitating a Jamaican accent for months.
Chet made headlines last year when he claimed that his father, a beloved Hollywood star and philanthropist, was not a “strong male role model” for him.
He explained: ‘They were really supportive. I was excited and everyone was’
The controversial star will be seen in a Colombian villa, along with Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir and singer Macy Gray.
He recently surprised his fans with a candid confession about the severity of his drug addiction, saying it was so bad that “cocaine bugs” told him to “calm down.”
Chet spoke about his expectations for how he would be perceived after joining the show: “Just so people get to see a different side of Chet Hanks… and I think they will.”
The trailer for the reality show shows Chet getting cozy with Kim, a former Real Housewives of Atlanta student.
“Kim is a MILF,” Chet confesses in a confessional. His devotion to God recently inspired him to change his tattoo.
The promo clip shows him and the mother of two going to a room together, where a black-and-white camera with night vision films him crawling into her bed.
“That’s going to look really awful,” Kim can be heard saying in her 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 also features Tyler Posey, singer Ally Brooke, rapper OT Genasis and model Josie Canseco.
Chet, who has been plagued by scandal, is yet another member of the Hanks-Wilson family to appear on a reality TV show.
A trailer for the show hints at a possible romantic connection with Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak
Chet is seen in her bed at night during an upcoming moment from 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 after she suffered a massive meltdown on the set of the ABC series Claim to Fame.
Her shocking on-camera outburst came shortly after she found out she had been cut from the show in the first episode.
She began shouting insults at other contestants and cried because she wasn’t getting “more camera time.”
Amid the backlash, Carly told TMZ that her famous uncle was “totally okay” with her behavior and that her anger was “real.”
The Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets premieres July 23 at 9:00 PM (local time) on MTV.