GOLDEN Bachelor Mel Owens’ contestant Lily Reeves has an A-list circle of friends that includes a decades-long history with Tom Hanks, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal.
Lily is one of 23 women vying for the retired 66-year-old NFL star’s love on the hit ABC show, which premieres Wednesday, September 25.
Golden Bachelor contestant Lily Reeves has a circle of A-list friends, and several pricey properties in and around Los Angeles as well[/caption]
Lily is vying for the heart of former NFL star, Mel Owens on ABC’s hit show Golden Bachelor[/caption]
Lily [top right] has deep A-list connections, here with Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Bruce Springsteen with wife Patti Scialfa, Elton John & Steven Spielberg with Kate Capshaw[/caption]
In various photos at events, and on her Instagram, it appears Lily has a serious group of friends made up of Hollywood A listers, and she appears to be closest to none other than Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson.
Not only does she have shots of herself with the couple dotted about her social media, she even has a video of their son, Chet Hanks, dancing around during a family gathering from back in 2015.
But, Lily’s relationship with the Hanks family goes even deeper and further back than that.
The U.S. Sun unearthed a 2008 breach of contract case stemming from an Idaho property that Lily owns.
In the filing, the construction company that was pursuing the case, claimed the main occupants of the home were none other than Tom and Rita.
Last week, Lily shared a throwback shot from the 1994 Oscars in which she is seated at a table next to Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson.
Sitting across from them is Bruce Springsteen and Elton John.
Tom had just won his award for Best Actor for his role in Philadelphia.
The ABC dating show contestant has a slew of other celebrities on her Instagram as well, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Steve Carell and John Hamm.
It’s clear, Lily has some friends in some high places in Los Angeles, where she owns her home in the Pacific Palisades.
The retired teacher actually owns several properties in California, many worth several million dollars each, and she also owns several properties in Idaho.
Despite her clearly impressive life, Lily, 72, would be out of the age range of Mel’s pre-stated preferences.
WHAT MEL SAID
The Bachelor‘s comments about age led to calls for his removal as the Golden Bachelor.
In June, the 66-year-old made remarks on a podcast about his preferences for the age range of women he wanted on the show, which met with widespread backlash.
An insider exclusively revealed to The U.S. Sun that while Mel wasn’t actually fired, as he was rumored to be, production’s decision to keep him on was far from unanimous.
Some staffers at ABC were reportedly upset over comments made by Me with insiders claiming his remarks have created a “misogynistic and ageist tone” that clashes with the show’s intended direction.
“The tone Mel set is the opposite of where they want to go heading into the new season,” an insider revealed. “Some people stepped in and tried to talk to him and reason with him after that interview. Mel doesn’t realize how much stress his comments have caused this huge team. It’s been horrible.”
The controversy stems from comments Mel, 66, made on In The Trenches, a podcast for the University of Michigan athletics department. During the interview, Mel discussed his preferences for the women on the show.
He said, “It’s blind up until they get out of the limo. But they asked me, ‘What’s your preferences?’ So, I just said 45 to 60, just being honest.
“And then the process went, and I was selected, right? And then we had lunch with the executive producer.
“I said, ‘You know, if they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them.’ They go: ‘Oh Mel, you can’t, you know, this is not the Silver Bachelor. It’s the Golden Bachelor. He goes, but ‘They’re going to be hot, don’t worry about it. Don’t worry about it.’”
Fans were outraged by the remarks, which many felt undermined the premise of the show, designed to celebrate love and connection among seniors regardless of age.
“Wow, I hope ABC fires him before highlighting this misogynistic man on national TV,” one angry fan wrote online.
“He is literally the prototype of every douchey, aging frat boy who wears Tommy Bahamas on the weekend and idolises Jimmy Buffet,” another critic commented.
“Oh, you better cut him,” one warned, while another added: “Please let go of this man and do not force him on our screens. Garbage.”
Mel will be the second Golden Bachelor, following Gerry Turner’s success as the show’s lead last year.
Gerry, who was 72 at the time of filming, dated women between the ages of 60 and 75 during his season.
He ultimately chose Theresa Nist, 70, and the pair had a televised wedding before divorcing in June 2024.
Lily has been on the Hollywood circuit for decades (with Leonardo DiCaprio)[/caption]
Mel was out running errands back in April after it was announced he was the next Golden Bachelor[/caption]
23 women will try to win Mel’s heart on the ABC dating show[/caption]
