Just a glance at Lily Chee’s Instagram showcases a life of ultimate glamour, highlighted by bikini snapshots aboard luxury yachts, extravagant trips worldwide, and a circle of stunning friends.
The 21-year-old former Brandy Melville model regularly brushes shoulders with A-listers and documents every moment on social media.
But behind the idyllic posts, her life is awash in controversy including bullying, nepotism and ‘homewrecking’ accusations.
With 1.6 million followers enchanted by her picturesque lifestyle, Chee has become an intriguing figure, especially on Reddit, where users try to dissect how she manages her studies at Columbia University alongside her renowned social life and constant traveling.
She initially rose to fame as a teenager, gaining a fanbase of Gen Z women who admired her enviable life. Her connection with influential young stars, including friends of Dance Mom’s Kenzie Ziegler, helped bolster her popularity.
Last summer, her notoriety spiked when she was seen with Tobey Maguire, 50, at a star-studded Hamptons White Party, propelling her further into the limelight.
Internet detectives point out that in just the last month, the recent graduate has been linked to Cha Cha Matcha founder Matthew Morton, 32, known for dating Sofia Richie; she was also spotted leaving a Paris nightclub with rapper Yeat, 25, and seen with DJ Diplo, 46, and rapper ASAP Nast, 35.
An image on Chee’s Instagram features her living lavishly aboard a boat, encapsulating the essence of her glamorous social media presence, surrounded by a crew of model friends.
The 21-year-old former Brandy Melville model regularly brushes shoulders with A-listers and documents every moment on social media
Chee has 1.6 million Instagram followers
Now, the Daily Mail is revealing how a wealthy girl with a seemingly stable upbringing and pricey private school education has become one of the most controversial young influencers.
While Chee only graduated from Columbia in May, she has already become New York City’s most controversial ‘It’ girl. Her rise to fame started when she was discovered in a grocery store at only nine-years-old, according to an interview with Galore.
She is often labeled a ‘social climber’, with her parents accused of ‘pulling the strings’. Some people believe she must be a nepo baby, while others say she came from nothing. The truth is somewhere in between, as she had quite a comfortable upbringing.
Chee grew up in in Brooklyn and attended the high-profile Professional Children’s School in Manhattan. Current tuition will set parents back $59,800 and ‘distinguished alumni’ include a who’s who of New York child stars, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Christina Ricci, Christian Slater, Melissa Joan Hart, Sarah Michelle Gellar and the Culkin siblings.
According to accusations made on social media, Chee was apparently quite difficult throughout school. On Reddit, users who allegedly went to school with her say she was a ‘notorious bully’ – posting messages they claim she sent, although the messages have not been verified.
Representatives for Chee did not respond to a request for comment.
Chee didn’t grow up with parents who worked in the entertainment or fashion industries.
Her Chinese-Malaysian father, Max Chee, has successfully worked in venture capital for the last 20 years and her Irish-Scottish mother, Rebecca, is a stay-at-home mom to her two sisters, including one who attends boarding school.
According to LinkedIn, Max is currently the Head of Aquiline Technology Growth and has more than two decades of experience as a private equity and venture capital investor, which is quite lucrative. He attended Queens University and got his MBA at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
While Chee has been labeled a socialite, she’s closer to an influencer, with plenty of brand partnerships and acting credits to her name
Chee has become a fixture at fashion weeks all over the country, jet setting from Paris to her home in New York City to appear in the front row
The family owns multiple properties, including an apartment in the high-end, family friendly Park Slope neighborhood, where she is believed to be living.
While she has been labeled a socialite, she’s actually closer to an influencer, with plenty of brand partnerships and acting credits to her name.
She starred as Young Elektra in Daredevil, as well as appearing in New Amsterdam, Chicken Girls and a music video for The Kid Laroi. She’s also modeled for Valentino, Dior, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.
But her high-profile relationships have threatened to overshadow any credits.
She has documented her romances in the past, although she’s been more tight-lipped lately, despite always being snapped by paparazzi. She posted about her hook up with Spanish actor Fernando Lindez, 25, during summer 2022 in St Tropez, while he had a girlfriend.
Chee is also rumored to have hooked up with basketball player Ben Simmons in 2022, and they were observed interacting on social media.
Chee was famously rumored to be dating Maguire after they were spotted leaving Michael Rubin’s star-studded Hamptons White Party together, despite an almost thirty year age difference.
Maguire was once part of Leonardo DiCaprio’s infamous ‘p*ssy posse,’ but had kept a low-profile after splitting from his age-appropriate jewelry designer wife, Jennifer Meyer, in 2020.
Chee (right) was famously rumored to be dating Tobey Maguire (left) after she was spotted leaving Michael Rubin’s star-studded Hamptons White Party with The Great Gatsby actor, despite an almost thirty year age difference
The ‘homewrecker’ allegations became so loud that Maguire’s ex-wife was forced to speak out about the sighting, saying her ex was ‘as good of a guy as it gets.’
At the time, Chee was a 20-year-old student (close in age to Maguire’s daughter, who was 17) and he was 49.
Many people think Chee met DiCaprio, and later Maguire, through a seasoned promoter.
While Chee might be a divisive figure in the New York City nightlife scene, her star is certainly on the rise.
Whether she’s leaving a Paris club or aboard a yacht in the South of France, her followers are paying attention to her every move.
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