Tyler Hilton’s Attempt to Date Joy Lenz Was Unapproved by Her ‘Cult’

Tyler Hilton Opens Up About His Romantic Interest in Bethany Joy Lenz and the Obstacle That Stood in His Way

In a recent concert in Portland, Tyler Hilton recounted the intriguing connection he shared with his One Tree Hill co-star Bethany Joy Lenz. The chemistry between them extended beyond the screen, but was ultimately thwarted by an unexpected barrier. According to Hilton, their bond blossomed amid the backdrop of the hit series, though his attempt to date Lenz encountered hurdles due to her affiliation with a cult.

Hilton revealed insights from Lenz’s memoir, Dinner for Vampires, during the November 18 performance. The two actors, who portrayed Chris Keller and Haley James Scott, developed a close friendship behind the scenes. “The book discussed a lot of personal experiences, and I navigated quite a bit of that with her,” Hilton stated. He emphasized that although their characters weren’t meant to connect in the storyline, they found themselves becoming friends who bonded over their shared love of music.

Their growing feelings for one another led to them writing songs together, which eventually influenced the show’s narrative as producers sought to integrate their chemistry into their characters’ arcs. Hilton shared, “We were hanging out constantly, and they suggested that we sing together on the show.”

However, as their relationship deepened, Lenz’s ties to her group, known as The Big House Family, became apparent. During the concert, Hilton recounted how he would sometimes sense “cult vibes” during their discussions. He jokingly remarked about his willingness to overlook these concerns, saying he had dated women involved in cults before. Yet, for their potential romance to proceed, Lenz informed him that her group would need to approve of him.

The cult even attended a performance to evaluate Hilton, which he describes as a surreal experience. “They decided I wasn’t the right fit. Lenz said, ‘Yeah, the cult said no,’ and I was left speechless. I had never been rejected by a cult before.”

Despite the setback nearly two decades ago, Hilton and Lenz have maintained a close friendship. The experience inspired Hilton to write the poignant song “You’ll Ask For Me,” which found a place on One Tree Hill. Now married to Megan Park since 2015, Hilton is a proud father of two, while Lenz, who was previously married to a cult leader’s son, has also shared her experiences about life after escaping that environment.

In recent months, Lenz has opened up about her journey of recovery from a decade spent in a cult, detailing her struggles and resilience on her podcast, Drama Queens, co-hosted with fellow One Tree Hill alumni Hilarie Burton Morgan and Sophia Bush. Their candid conversations shed light on the emotional impact of such an experience while also celebrating the support she received from her castmates during that tumultuous time.