Tyler Hilton tried to date his ‘One Tree Hill’ co-star Bethany Joy Lenz but was shut down by her ‘cult’

Tyler Hilton, known for his role as Chris Keller on One Tree Hill, recently shared some intriguing details about his off-screen relationship with co-star Bethany Joy Lenz. On the show, Chris Keller was the thorn in the side of Haley James Scott (Lenz) and Nathan Scott (James Lafferty), creating drama with his sneaky attempts to woo Haley under the guise of supporting her music career. Interestingly, life imitated art, as Hilton also tried to pursue a romantic relationship with Lenz in real life. But just like his character, he faced an unexpected obstacle — one that even he couldn’t charm his way past: Lenz’s involvement with what she has described as a “high control group,” or cult.

Hilton first appeared on One Tree Hill in Season 2 as Chris Keller, a cocky musician who convinced Haley to prioritize her singing career, much to the dismay of her husband Nathan. The chemistry between Hilton and Lenz was palpable on screen, and now we know why — sparks were flying behind the scenes as well.

During a recent concert, Hilton opened up about their bond, sharing that he and Lenz grew close off-set, bonding over their shared love for music. This connection even inspired parts of the show’s storyline, as their characters began collaborating musically.

“We really fell for each other,” Hilton admitted to his audience. “We were spending so much time together, and the producers noticed. They thought, ‘Why not write this chemistry into the show?’ So they did, and that’s how Chris and Haley’s musical arc came to life.”

Hilton revealed that his budding romance with Lenz hit an unusual snag. At the time, Lenz was part of a group she later identified as a cult, and they had strict control over her personal relationships. According to Hilton, the group had to approve anyone she wanted to date — and he didn’t make the cut.

“They literally told her, ‘Yeah, he’s not the vibe,’” Hilton joked. “And she told me, ‘The cult said no.’ What do you even say to that? I’ve never been dumped by a cult before!”

Despite the rejection, Hilton had a sense of humor about the situation. He recalled how he was willing to overlook the red flags: “I was so into her. I thought, ‘Cult? No problem, I can roll with that!’”

Their shared love of music not only brought them closer but also inspired Hilton to write a song for Lenz titled “You’ll Ask for Me,” which later featured on One Tree Hill. Although their romantic connection didn’t work out, Hilton emphasized that the experience was over two decades ago and that the two have remained good friends ever since.

Hilton’s revelations offer a fascinating glimpse into how real life and fiction often blur together. Just like his character Chris Keller, who left a lasting impression on Haley’s life, Hilton’s real-life bond with Lenz has become a memorable chapter in both their lives. While the cult may have said “no” back then, Hilton’s story — and his good-natured recounting of it — shows he’s taken it all in stride.