One Tree Hill alum Barbara Alyn Woods had Mark Anderson on the mind way before they started dating.
Woods, 63, revealed during a Friday, March 28, episode of the “Drama Queens” podcast that Mark, 58, caught her eye when his daughter Kelsey Anderson was on The Bachelor last year. (Kelsey got engaged to Joey Graziadei at the end of that season.)
“At the end of The Bachelor, they go to hometowns. There’s three remaining girls and they take The Bachelor home to meet their family,” Woods explained. “Mark was there being all cute and dimpley and sweet. He’s just in the background. He’s the dad.”
She subsequently found Mark on Instagram and sent him a DM. (Woods noted that she watches the show with her daughters Emily Alyn Lind, Alyvia Alyn Lind and Natalie Alyn Lind.)
“He was at the final episode of [Kelsey’s] show,” she recalled. “He was in the audience and I’m watching with [my daughter] Aly and I’m like, ‘Oh, there’s my boyfriend. The one I DMed.’ I’m like, ‘Oh, I wonder if he ever responded.’ He didn’t respond to me.”
After it was announced that Mark was going to be on The Golden Bachelorette, Woods decided to DM him a second time.
“I’m like, ‘They’re taking my boyfriend away from me,’” she quipped. “I don’t know what I said. It was so corny, whatever I said. Like, ‘You have a cute smile, you’re going to go a long way in life.’ Or something stupid.”
When he didn’t respond again, Woods realized it’s because he was filming The Golden Bachelorette.
“Then, he got kicked off. I’m watching every week to see if my boyfriend’s going to get kicked off the show,” she added. “My girls are all watching, feeling like we know him, but we don’t.”
Kelsey Anderson’s father, Mark Anderson, is spending even more time with One Tree Hill star Barbara Alyn Woods. In a video posted via TikTok on Sunday, November 10, Mark, 57, and Woods, 62, were seen dancing together in front of a brightly lit Christmas tree. The video followed an October 26 Instagram post from Woods, […]
Woods noted that Mark eventually responded to her message, and they “started talking through social media.” Things escalated from there.
“It’s been nonstop ever since,” she continued. “He’s such a good guy. Just have to get used to being with good people. Like he’s a good guy.”
Woods sparked romance rumors with Mark in October 2024, when they dressed up in matching Halloween costumes. Graziadei confirmed his future father-in-law’s relationship status in December of that year.
“He’s just so soft spoken,” Woods continued during Friday’s podcast appearance, noting that the foundation of their relationship was on the phone, but it allowed them to really get to know each other. “But when he speaks, it just means something.”
