Kellan Lutz, the actor best known for his role in the “Twilight” saga, has disclosed that he took a major life step three years ago when he transferred his family from California into Tennessee. The move, which occurred following the pandemic, was chiefly driven by his wife Brittany’s desire to be closer to her family and create a solid support network whilst bringing up their children. Speaking openly on the podcast “Inside of You” with Michael Rosenbaum, Lutz described how the choice to depart from Orange County—where his wife was raised—ultimately took the family to Franklin, Tennessee, a choice that has altered their priorities and way of life away from the glitz of Hollywood.
The Golden State Dream Wanes
Whilst Lutz retains genuine fondness of California, the pandemic prompted a significant reassessment of his family’s priorities. “I love California, I really do,” he stated during his podcast appearance, yet the exodus following COVID saw many people flee the state in pursuit of peace and stability. His wife’s family chose to depart, and Lutz acknowledged that following them to Tennessee was crucial for ensuring Brittany had the required support network when he worked away. The turning point came when one of their children got sick, making his wife feel helpless and seeking a new environment.
The actor noticed a common pattern amongst fathers in the entertainment industry: new mothers typically moved closer to living near their own parents for care support and emotional assistance. Rather than push back against his wife’s request to relocate, Lutz accepted the prospect of giving Tennessee a proper attempt. “When they made the decision to move, I was like, ‘OK, well, we’re going to do it. We’re going to give it a couple of years,'” he explained. The gamble has worked out, with the family uncovering unforeseen perks in their new home of Franklin, from lively community atmosphere to a flourishing religious network.
- Post-pandemic exodus saw many Californians leave California pursuing greater stability
- Wife’s family moved ahead, prompting the Lutz family to make the move
- Childcare assistance and being near parents served as primary decision factors
- Franklin provided churches, community, and Bible study groups for the family
A Family’s Unforeseen Adventure
Nurturing Love and Support
The decision to leave Orange County wasn’t made in isolation—it was fundamentally rooted in Lutz’s dedication to his wife’s wellbeing and their children’s security. When Brittany’s family chose to leave California, the actor acknowledged that following them to Tennessee was the most sensible solution to ensure she wouldn’t feel abandoned during his frequent work commitments. The catalyst came when one of their children fell unwell, causing his wife overwhelmed and struggling to handle both youngsters whilst he was away on location. That moment made clear what truly mattered: not career advancement or industry proximity, but the sense of security that stems from having family close by.
Lutz’s frank reflection on fatherhood uncovered a common truth he’d noticed amongst his peers in the entertainment world. Experienced fathers had repeatedly told him that new mothers instinctively want to be near their own parents for practical support and emotional reassurance. Rather than dismissing his wife’s request as impractical, Lutz embraced the opportunity with grace. “I was like, ‘Yeah, of course,'” he recalled, demonstrating a willingness to put first his family’s emotional wellbeing over the conventional Hollywood path. This decision would eventually turn out to be transformative, reshaping not just where the family made their home, but the way they spent their time and foster their bonds.
Three years into their Tennessee adventure, the Lutz family has discovered a richness in local community that often eludes those caught in the Hollywood machinery. Franklin has provided them with a close-knit community centred around common values, vibrant churches, and meaningful Bible studies. The irony isn’t lost on Lutz that he’s attended more film premieres in Franklin than in Los Angeles of late—a testament to the vibrant creative scene in Middle Tennessee. Outside their social commitments, the family has invested in land and put down roots that suggest a authentic dedication to their new home, though Lutz remains realistic about the future, recognising they haven’t excluded eventual relocation to the coast.
Finding Community in Franklin
The move to Franklin has given the Lutz family something growing scarce in today’s world: a true sense of belonging rooted in shared values and mutual support. Rather than the fleeting character of Hollywood circles, where relationships frequently focus on professional advancement and industry events, Tennessee has offered something deeper and more enduring. The family has taken an active role in community churches and scripture study circles, forming bonds that go well past superficial networking. These communities have offered both spiritual anchoring and concrete help, building a protective framework that proves invaluable when handling the challenges of family life and a profession that often demands Lutz’s separation from family.
What notably surprises Lutz most is how Franklin’s cultural scene rivals that of Los Angeles in unexpected ways. The flourishing creative sector in Middle Tennessee has meant that film premieres and industry events remain readily available, allowing him to maintain professional connections without the unrelenting tempo of Hollywood life. The family has acquired land holdings, signalling their commitment to putting down roots rather than treating the move as a temporary arrangement. Yet Lutz remains grounded, acknowledging that whilst Tennessee has surpassed their hopes, they haven’t entirely closed the door on future possibilities, including a eventual return to coastal living that his wife periodically thinks about.
- Strong churches and Bible study groups form the basis of their social connections
- Film releases and entertainment offerings happen routinely in the Franklin region
- Land possession constitutes a sustained dedication to their Tennessee home
- Local support system proves to be vital during his frequent work absences
- Common beliefs foster deeper connections than conventional Hollywood social circles
The Balance of Moving
What They’re Missing Most
Whilst Tennessee has provided the Lutz family with stability and community, the move away from California has not been without its sacrifices. The most conspicuous gaps from their new surroundings are characteristically Californian indulgences: exceptional sushi restaurants and authentic Mexican cuisine have proved challenging to find in Franklin. These aren’t merely superficial cravings but rather reminders of the cosmopolitan lifestyle they’ve abandoned. For a family familiar with the culinary diversity of Orange County, adjusting to Tennessee’s less diverse dining scene represents one of the more tangible downsides to their move.
Beyond dining preferences, the family has had to navigate climate-related difficulties unlike their former life by the coast. Tennessee’s harsh climate conditions, especially the tornado season, have required a significant psychological adjustment. Brittany Lutz, specifically, has become hypervigilant during severe weather alerts, a instinctive protective response intensified by the genuine threat of severe weather. Additionally, the pronounced shifts between seasons present their own challenges, as the family admits they aren’t particularly suited to regions with harsh winter conditions and volatile spring weather. These environmental factors serve as ongoing reminders that paradise, wherever one finds it, always includes its own set of complications.
Unexpected Revelations
Despite initial concerns about departing California, Lutz has been pleasantly surprised by Franklin’s vibrant entertainment scene. The actor has attended more film premieres in his Tennessee hometown over the past few years than he had in Los Angeles over equivalent timeframes, a discovery that challenges traditional beliefs about where cultural events occur. This surprising realisation has facilitated a balance between his professional obligations and personal responsibilities, allowing him to remain connected to the industry whilst maintaining proximity to his wife and children. The thriving arts and entertainment community in Middle Tennessee has transformed what could have been a career sacrifice into something considerably more feasible, proving that meaningful professional opportunities exist well beyond the conventional entertainment hub.