Chet Hanks Divulges ‘The Truth’ About The ‘Toxic’ Fame He Witnessed Growing Up

Chet Hanks did not mince words about growing up in the Hanks household.

Uploaded on Feb. 15, Hanks revealed in a YouTube video what it was really like growing up as the son of actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.

While the 31-year-old shared he was very “blessed” to grow up with parents he loved, he also admitted the experience was a “double-edged sword.” 

“There’s a lot of advantages but sometimes it can be pretty weird,” he said. “I got to do a lot of cool s–t that a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to do. I got to travel the world, stay in nice hotels, fly on private planes and I’m very blessed for that. I wouldn’t change my situation.”

However, he spoke on how people’s infatuation with fame can sometimes create “jealousy” and “envy.” 

Chet Hanks Divulges 'The Truth' About The 'Toxic' Fame He Witnessed Growing Up
Image via Shutterstock

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“My experience was even more complicated because on top of fame already being toxic, I wasn’t even famous,” Chet said. “I was just the son of somebody famous so I hadn’t even done anything to deserve any sort of recognition and that created a lot of contempt.” 

He shared how after attending the same school for preschool through middle school, things began to worsen when he entered a new crowd in high school and college. 

“People would make up their minds about me before they even got the chance to know me and it was extremely hard to break down their walls,” Chet shared, going on to reveal that his experience led him to get a “chip” on his shoulder and develop a “hard exterior.” 

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Chet added, “People kinda did f–k with me a lot growing up. It was never to my face. It was always behind my back in the forms of gossip or s–t talking.”

Hanks went on to share how he has since “changed” his “life” and is no longer on the “self-destructive” path of anger and partying. In addition, he also shared how his “hard exterior” was not just rooted in anger, but also from being “ashamed” and “insecure” about growing up “privileged.” 

Prior to closing the video, Chet vowed that he will always give the “whole truth” about his life in Hollywood and that he has plenty more to share.

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