Matthew Lawrence & Chilli Tell Their Love Story, from Flirting on a Plane to the ‘Masked Singer

I saw you and I was just like, Oh, I'm serious. That's exactly. Oh, okay. And I'll size you up, up and down. And I kind of studied the face in 0.5 seconds. And I started Googling you. Like Determinator. Exactly. That flashing green. Yes. First time I saw you and you had green eyeliner. Yeah. And it was like something out of like Cleopatra or something, you know? And I'm like walking by. I'm like, who was that? A little bit of slow-mo was in there. I think. I don't know this story. You don't tell me this part. Really? Oh, this is new. Yeah. I like it. Yeah, no, that's the truth. And, um, it was just a quick passing and it was just like a, it was a hello with your eyes. It was a great hello. Yeah. And then we were just like, sort of like passing each other through the hallways and things. And there was like, hello, there was a picture. There was a hug. And he said, it was a hog. Yeah. She cracked my back, which I did not on purpose, but I give good hugs. Yeah. Great hugs. And then this by chance, this plane ride, and that's what kind of did it. Yeah. It was pretty much planes, trains, and automobiles. The plot from that, you know, that was good. That's good. It's true. Yeah. Yeah, it's true. Yeah. We were working at the same event in Connecticut. There was a snow storm. So it was a Sunday and I had to get back for work on Monday and my flight had been canceled. So everyone was scrambling to try to get me, you know, a connection to get back to LA. And it happened to be through Atlanta and that's where she lives. So she was on that flight already. And then I was just a seat and over in front and I just heard her giggling. You were laughing. She had me at a giggle. Like, okay. So my group member and I are like crazy as everybody knows, in a good way, fun way. And she was talking about something and we were laughing and then I got a glimpse of him and you were laughing. Yeah. So I couldn't help it. Yeah, he's so funny. And I have this hand sanitizer and it was a Christmas edition. You really liked it. Well, yeah, I was spraying, you know, and then I kind of like reached over to him. That was another little way to kind of like, you know, get in there. I really, I mean, I'm not kidding. I am terribly shy, especially in, you know, asking somebody out kind of way. And so I didn't really know what to do because it never really got to that point on the plane because there were like people, you know, in between us. So it was more just like, you know, cross and, and, but exiting the plane, I had this moment and I actually missed it. And for me, I've never turned around and gone back. But this time I was like, I, my whole body was just like, you're turning around and you're going back. So I turned around, doubled back. And I think I was like, Hey, can I follow you on Instagram? I turned around and you were like, right. Yeah. I was like, well, this is awkward. Um, Instagram. Uh, yeah. Cause you thought that I had a layover too, because you know, I didn't know. Yeah. I was like, no, I'm home. Yeah. And I said, I'll find you on Instagram. That's what it was. Yeah. That's what happened. Yeah. I was just staying with my phone. But even like before that, for me, I was, um, you know, at home watching movies and everything, I had just watched a movie and you were in it. And so it was so funny that, you know, I saw him at the event cause I had met your brother, uh, Joey before. I had met him before. Never Andy, just like in passing. Yeah. It didn't go straight to dating. It was more of just developing a friendship for like six months or so. And, uh, and we would be on the phone. I'm not lying. Five, six, seven hours. Yeah. There was a couple of marathons there. Yeah. And not even like falling asleep on, it's like, oh my gosh, we've been on the phone for this amount of time. We have to get off the phone and go to bed. So that was, uh, I mean, I think we talked about everything from everything from A to Z, you name it. I mean, we talked about it. We started like, you know, just again, as friends spending time with each other and the conversations were so good, you know, um, our morals and values aligned and you know, I'm a believer. He's a believer. And all of that stuff that was, you know, really important to me and to him, we just kind of like check it checked off naturally, you know, just in conversation, figuring all that kind of stuff out and then spending time together was fun too. You know, it was, I mean, I was very nervous. I was nervous. Yeah. I was nervous. Yeah, of course. I was like, oh God, first time. Yeah. I remember we went over, not even the first, like the first few times. You just nervous, you know, just get the little butterflies and things. But, um, it just naturally evolved, you know? And I remember, I think I said it, I said, um, what's going on here? Remember? I was like, are we like, what, what are we doing? And then I don't think there's anything we like, just like we didn't plan it. That's for sure. Cause we were in, what were we in Mexico? Yeah. Yes. That's where we were and we were just having fun and being silly and we had, you know, we have these onesies that I ordered for us and we just talked about like the aha. Oh yeah. Yeah. It was like the Tik Tok something. It was like, let's do this. Yeah. I was really new to social media at that point, believe it or not. I didn't really know that that was even going like Instagram official at that point. That was kind of the kickoff. Just like just being silly. Yeah. It was New Year's. Yeah. It was New Year's Eve. So, you know, it's just, you always know people are going to say something good, bad or indifferent, you know, and they don't know us. Not really. They know whatever they think they know and we know each other and we know what's really going on in, you know, between us and our relationship and our families and all the things. So, you know, we just, I don't know, we just don't get into it, but I thought it was like cute and endearing that, you know, people would say the sweet things about, you know, cause we're, you know, from the nineties, it was like nineties nostalgia and all that. It was cute. Gosh, it makes me think of when I see pictures of like 1890 and like, that's going to be us. You know, you see like, like from the ancient days, the nineties. Oh yeah. Like, wow. That'll be us in a sense. But like, as far as like, you know, aging gracefully, that's what we're doing. That got to age gracefully. I mean, yeah, we all got to age gracefully and very slow. If I was on my own, maybe I'd have a certain reaction to something and then I'd have regrets or feel bad when I'm around chilly. It's like, I feel like I need to step up to the plate and that, you know, brings out the best in me. It's true. Like I got to like, you know, I got to step up. Well, for me, it's, and this is very important, you know, when it comes with like the women, peace. That too. Oh, that's a big one. No more, no toxic. Yeah. You just need peace. Yeah. No stress. I've had enough of that. Yeah. Me too. And it's just me to relax and feel comfortable being vulnerable because if you can't be vulnerable in a relationship, then that's not the right relationship. You should be able to let your hair down and just, honey, we're out of toilet paper. Yes. Okay. I got you. I was like, Oh, no, that's, that's not. That's gross. Sorry. I had to do it. It was just wide open. I couldn't help myself. And even at your worst, they still think you're at your best, you know, like somebody that just loves and completely adores you like that. It's just, it's priceless. I mean, you definitely have to work in every relationship and everybody's. You're going to have your thing. Like for us, it's, it's the distance, you know, long distances. I'm kind of okay with that because I like, you know, I think that's kind of cool. And, um, I like the missing parts, you know, I, I like that a lot. Absence makes the heart go. It does. It doesn't. Then there's a problem. And like I said, yeah, for sure. I need a break. Then there might be something to look at there. Yeah. And like I said, we've been around each other. It's been, you know, like three years and we've seen each other in very like compromising situations and how each other handles that, all that kind of stuff, that's very important, you know? And so I don't think you have to see each other every single solitary day to see that. And then when you are not 20 years old meeting, you, you know, you've lived life and you've experienced things at that point, you've developed these, um, standards that are essential, you know, and, uh, and if that person meets it, you know, it's like, all right, let's see what happens. And if not, it's like, well, it's not going to work. I think it's that simple. I am over the top. Silly. I can't help myself and I'm committed when it comes to it, like, like scaring people and I've gotten you so good. Yes, you have. Yes. And I don't think you've even scared me maybe once, one time, one time, but I'm and it's just so funny to me. And I just laughed so hard. Like I can't breathe. It is hilarious. And then, you know, how like laughing is infectious. And so he starts laughing. It's funny, but yeah, just always, you know, being silly and having fun. And, um, that's what I like most about, you know, just being in a relationship. I don't like all that serious stuff. I just want to laugh all day. It's, it's crucial for me. And just speaking for me, but yeah, I, like it even goes a little far with my family, you know, we're all about that. And, um, sometimes we laugh in them and sometimes even when we're uncomfortable, we try to break the ice in every sort of situation with comedy. So that's like natural for me. And I, I've been, I've had friends and I've been in other places where it doesn't fly. And I, I don't know how to communicate with somebody when, uh, you know, a joke comes off as, oh, that's totally ill timed. I'm like, well, no joke. That's the point about it. It's like, it was timed particularly because this tension needs to be cut. So, so yeah, chili totally gets that. So I'm so glad because, uh, it's so important to me. That was so stressful, man. I mean, that show was already, I look, I, I wasn't kidding. Like I, the reason why I did that is because I really do have a fear of singing in front of like an audience. And I thought, oh, this is maybe a chance to get past that with, cause I have a disguise, right. Um, but I also didn't realize how hard it is to sing in that, that stuff. It's not easy, especially when you have something like I had, which is kind of this giant soap box and it's all wired down your back so you really can't move. And yeah, man, that was a lot of stress. Uh, a lot of stress. Glad it's over. Is Chili watching? Is she going to see you perform her song? She's going to see it. I hope, I hope I did it right. I hope I did some justice to it. You did an amazing job. I was very proud of him because I knew he could sing and I wasn't sure how many people in the world, and they know he can act, but I'm like, he really has a beautiful voice and, um, all three of you guys can sing, but your voices, I'm sorry, I'm a little, a little biased here, but your voice is, I mean, it's so pretty. And, um, and I, I made sure you had the right lyrics, you know, with Unpretty. We cleared it also for you to do it. And, uh, but I was so proud and how he just kind of took it and made it his own, you know, and, um, but it did a beautiful job. Thanks. You can have something that's calm, but yet also there are sparks that you're attracted to someone both physically, mentally. There's that spirituality and the connection and everything coming together. I didn't know if it was honestly possible. So that's, this relationship is really kind of open my eyes. Wow. This is, this can and does happen. It's pretty cool. I've learned that I do have a long list, you know, and people say, Oh, you shouldn't have a list. I'm like, crap, crap. Wait, what, what would be the topic head for this list with us? Yeah, no. I mean, just your list. Oh, my list. Oh, okay. Well, first of all, they have to love the Lord. Well, I mean, like, what is this? What is that? What would you call this list? Not the list itself. No, it's just called the list. Oh, it's just called the list. Yeah. It's called Chili's list or the list is very serious. I'm just recording this for later, but you already know, so holding onto my list and not compromising that was the right thing. It was the right choice. No matter how long it takes, it doesn't matter because you're going to have to make compromises and that's fine, but as long as you don't compromise who you are as a person, then, you know, it's okay, you're going to have some, some things. And so what, you know, but do you have the things that are the most important and you can work all that out. Pay attention to the red flags when you're young, just like, Oh, that was a red flag. It's okay. I'll just, they're just going to bury it way out from here. Give me another one. Hold another red flag. It's okay. No big deal. When you're young, like that, I think that you see the flags, but you don't recognize that it's a red flag. You know, that's something I saw them. I just went right past it. Just step over that one and pretend like it's not there. Obviously Chile's like this amazing, legendary performer, but, um, it's not really that for me, it's really the way I see her interact with her family, her son, her mom, that's most important thing for me, and that's when I go, wow, this is a really special person to be able to have that incredible artistic ability and to have succeeded at such a level, but. Is just such a grounded, good person that has real relationships with their family and it's love. It's, it's great. That's what, that's what it does for me. I love to see Matthew and his true element and that's when he's with his animals. He lights up in a way that I've never seen him light up. He doesn't light up like that about anything else. Not even for me is true. But it's a beautiful thing to see because he's just, he's so happy, you know? And I just, I love that. And then I love how caring he is, you know, to everybody, you know? And again, how you see it with the animals too, like he's so patient and he has a little bit of road rage. Where did that come from? No, you do slip in there. I got to edit that part out. You keep going on. Really patient and end. No, but I'm saying that's when he's not, he's not patient at all behind the, behind the wheel. No, because there's other people on the road. If there were cows driving the cars, they'd be happy. Okay. So look at that puppy. He's so cute. Yes, exactly. Exactly. No, totally, totally that, you know, but, um, but yeah, when it comes to, you know, helping and all of that, he's just, he is like his, his primary love language that he, um, demonstrates is acts of service. So he's an acts of service kind of guy, like 100%, like all across the board. And I think that's a very beautiful thing. And I'm very proud when I look at him and he's, you know, in that element. I say that the sky's the limit across this bridge or that bridge or whatever, you know, as long as you figure out how to navigate through everything together, you know, figuring it out. Yeah. I think she said it wonderfully. Yeah. There's really no limit to what I feel like we could accomplish together.