COUPLESKellan Lutz Says Wife Brittany Asked to Leave California After Feeling ‘Out of Control’ With Kids
Kellan Lutz explained how his wife, Brittany Lutz, influenced their move to Tennessee.
Aug. 12 2026, Published 3:18 p.m. ET
Kellan Lutz traded Los Angeles for Tennessee after his wife, Brittany Lutz, felt she could not manage a frightening family moment without nearby support.
“I never wanted to leave [California],” Kellan said on the August 11 episode of the “Inside of You” podcast, hosted by Michael Rosenbaum.
Kellan Lutz Says Family Needs Changed the Plan
Kellan Lutz revealed why he and Brittany Lutz still missed California after moving to Tennessee.
The Twilight actor, 41, said he and Brittany, 39, still feel close to California.
“My wife and I … our hearts are still in California, especially Orange County,” Kellan revealed.
However, the couple’s decision changed after relatives began leaving the state in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The whole Tennessee move happened when we had our second kid,” Kellan said while explaining how the family’s circumstances shifted.
He added, “A lot of people lost jobs and wanted to move somewhere a little bit more peaceful … and so her family chose to leave California, and we followed.”
Brittany Lutz’s Difficult Moment Prompted the Tennessee Move
Kellan Lutz said Brittany Lutz asked to leave California after feeling ‘out of control’ with their kids.
The absence of that family network became more difficult when Kellan was away working, and Brittany was caring for their young children.
“One of the kids got sick,” the actor said of the incident that made his wife reconsider staying in California.
The couple, who married in 2017, share daughter Ashtyn Lilly, 5, and son Kasen Lane, 4, and moved to Franklin in 2023 shortly after their son was born.
“[Brittany] felt really out of control as far as not being able to bring both kids there, or just kind of helpless,” Kellan admitted.
He said he immediately agreed when Brittany asked whether the family could relocate to Tennessee.
“So she’s like, ‘Can we move?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, of course,’” Kellan recalled.
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Kellan Lutz said moving to Tennessee gave his family a stronger sense of community.
Settling in Franklin has given the family a lifestyle built around space, faith, and new local relationships.
“There’s a lot of great things about Tennessee,” he explained. “We got some land, got great Bible studies that were part of great churches, great community.”
The move, however, has not ended his access to entertainment work.
“I’ve gone to probably more movie premieres in Franklin, Tennessee, than I have in L.A., the last couple years since I lived there,” Kellan revealed.
He continued, “For whatever reason, the industry is still there, which I’m grateful for.”
In a separate August 11 interview with Entertainment Weekly, the model also reflected on the pressure he felt after playing Emmett Cullen.
“I lost me. I lost Kellan. I lost that light,” he expressed while recalling his difficult post-Twilight audition period.
California Remains a Part of Kellan and Brittany’s Future
Kellan Lutz revealed why his family still had their eyes on California despite moving to Tennessee.
Despite building a new life in Tennessee, Kellan said the family still misses parts of their former California routine.
“We aren’t seasons people,” he revealed. “There’s tornadoes. My wife goes on red alert, especially when you have kids. We do miss good sushi and good Mexican food.”
The actor, however, did mention that he and Brittany have not ruled out a future that connects both coasts.
“Bi-ish coastal,” Kellan said of the lifestyle he hopes their family may eventually have one day.
