Mary-Kate Olsen's Casual Relationship With Sean Avery Still Has Friends Worried

Mary-Kate Olsen has always preferred to keep her private life far away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi, and she’s done a decent job in her 37 years as a celebrity. However, her friendship, that is reportedly bordering on a relationship, with controversial athlete Sean Avery has her friends worried.

According to a source who spoke to Life & Style, this seems like a causal fling… a situationship. “I don’t think Mary-Kate and Sean are seriously dating,” they shared. “But they are hooking up.” As everyone knows, sometimes people catch feelings even when the intent is to keep the relationship casual, and that’s what has her pals worried. “And he has a reputation for being a bad boy, so she should tread carefully,” the source added.

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NEW YORK, NY - MAY 25:  Mary-Kate Olsen and Sean Avery attend a celebration of Style Wars hosted by The Common Good, Levi's Film workshop and Catherine Keener at a private location on May 25, 2011 in New York City.  (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 25: Mary-Kate Olsen and Sean Avery attend a celebration of Style Wars hosted by The Common Good, Levi’s Film workshop and Catherine Keener at a private location on May 25, 2011 in New York City.

The former NHL star’s “bad reputation” due to his “terrible temper” is what concerns Olsen’s inner circle the most. “He’s not the kind of man Mary-Kate’s loved ones would encourage her to date,” they noted. Avery split with his wife Hilary Rhoda in 2022 after she accused him of domestic violence and child abuse against their son, Nash, 3. She was granted a restraining order against her ex last summer and in court papers obtained by Entertainment Tonight, Rhoda shared, “I am scared of Sean and feel threatened by this behavior and his acts of physical violence.”

Olsen has her own history with Avery, having “hooked up on and off for years” when they were single. The close pal shared that “their relationship wasn’t healthy” the first time around because “Sean was heavily playing the field” and “Mary-Kate was in love with him.” Avery’s difficult reputation has followed him on and off the ice, and even to the ballroom. When he was cast on Season 18 of Dancing With the Stars, he was disgruntled about his elimination in the second week.

“I had a conversation with Conrad [Green], one of the producers, and I was upset at the package that they had brought in the week previous, and it was a very tacky attempt to show me as the bad boy of ‘DWTS,” he told Good Morning America in 2014. “And I think in reality TV or some sort of competition, if you have a disagreement with the producers then generally that seals your fate quite early.”

There are plenty of red flags waving in Olsen’s face, so maybe it’s time to listen to her BFFs. They have her back and want her to be in a solid relationship, just maybe not with Avery.

Before you go, click here to see surprising celebrity couples we never saw coming.

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