Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson banned son Chet from starring on reality TV... before troubled star signed up to show his 'personal growth' on MTV's The Surreal Life

Chet Hanks has admitted that his famous parents, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, banned him from starring on reality TV shows - but revealed they were supportive of his decision to take part in 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 alongside the likes of Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak, Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir and singer Macy Gray.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com ahead of the season premiere, Chet revealed how he had to get the approval of his family before agreeing to the celebrity surveillance show.

'They definitely have said [no reality TV] in regard to the typical reality shows,' the rapper began. 'When this came up, we discussed it and everybody agreed… we all agreed that this could be a really great opportunity for me and it was perfect. 

'They were really supportive. I was excited and everybody was.'

Chet is the eldest son of Academy Award-winner Tom, 68, and his longtime wife and singer Rita, 67. They're also parents to 27-year-old Truman. 

Tom also has Colin and Elizabeth, with his late ex-wife Samantha Lewes.

Opening up about the reason why he had shied away from putting himself in front of the cameras in the past, father-of-one Chet stated: 'I had been offered to do a reality shows in the past… I've been getting reality TV offers for a long time. 

'I've always said no, because all the shows that have offered me to come on had been all about the 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 really more so about personal relationships and getting to show people a different side of you and personal growth and being open and vulnerable.'

Chet has long been synonymous with controversy as he's made headlines over the years for his erratic behavior in relation to drug and alcohol abuse.

He's also been accused of domestic abuse by a former girlfriend and 'cultural appropriation' for spending months impersonating a Jamaican accent.

Chet made headlines last year when he claimed his dad — a beloved Hollywood leading man and philanthropist — was not a 'strong male role model' for him.

He most recently stunned fans with a candid admission about the severity of his past drug addiction - stating that it was so severe that 'cokeheads' told him to 'chill.'

Opening up about his hopes for how he would be perceived after starring on the show, Chet stated: 'Just for people to see a different side of Chet Hanks... which I think they will.'

The trailer for the reality show reveals that Chet will be seen getting cozy with Real Housewives of Atlanta alum, Kim.  

'Kim is a MILF,' Chet - whose devotion to God recently inspired him to change a tattoo - acknowledges in a confessional.

The promo clip then shows him and the mother-of-two going off to a room together, where a black-and-white night vision camera catches him crawling into her bed.

'That's gonna look so terrible,' Kim is heard saying in her own 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 2022 after a 16-year hiatus. 

The cast for the series also includes Tyler Posey, singer Ally Brooke, rapper OT Genasis and model Josie Canseco.

Scandal-plagued Chet is just the latest Hanks-Wilson family member to appear on reality TV. 

Tom and Rita's niece Carly Reeves went viral in June for having a massive meltdown on set of the ABC series Claim to Fame.

Her shocking on-camera outburst occurred shortly after learning she'd been eliminated from the show in the first episode.

She began screaming insults at other contestants and sobbed over not getting 'more camera time.'

Amid the backlash, Carly claimed to TMZ that her famous Uncle was 'totally fine' with her behavior and insisted her rage was 'real.'

The Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets premieres July 23 at 9pm ET on MTV.