Lover, 25, isn’t after a slice of my American Pie riches says Don, 73
SINGER Don McLean has dismissed claims his 25-year-old girlfriend is a “gold digger”.
The American Pie star, 73, said he is “really happy” with former Playboy model Paris Dylan.
She has described the veteran superstar as “the love of my life”, and frequently uploads pictures of them together on social media.
But McLean, a grandfather-oftwo, has accused gossipmongers of spreading “untrue claims” about their relationship and the 48-year age gap.
He said: “I get gossiped about, me and my girlfriend. There have been these ridiculous stories lately about the two of us and how she’s a gold digger and I’m all this stuff.
“She’s the least likely out of any girl you’d ever want to meet. She’s very helpful to me.”
The singer-songwriter also denied he is “squandering” his £200million fortune, despite having spent a reported £250,000 on holidays and trips abroad in the past year.
He added: “What people don’t realise is, yes we’ve been in 85 cities in the past year, but in every one of those cities I’ve done a concert and made money.
“I’m not squandering my fortune on my girlfriend. If anything, she’s helping me do these things. But this is the kind of stuff that’s out there, even for me. I get this.”
The pair met when Dylan was hired to manage McLean’s social media accounts in 2016. Just months later, she confirmed their blossoming relationship by posting a cosy selfie online.
The pair got together soon after McLean finalised his divorce from Patrisha Shnier, 59.
The singer’s second wife had previously claimed he had shown “rage and controlling behaviour” during their marriage. New York-born McLean is famous for his 1971 eight-and-a-half minute hit American Pie, which went on to become one of the best-known songs of the 1970s.
He is also renowned for his haunting 1972 ballad Vincent – a tribute to artist Vincent van Gogh, which features the famous opening line, “Starry, starry night”.