Current:Home > InvestBethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To -AdvancementTrade
Bethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To
View
Date:2025-04-16 17:43:02
Bethany Joy Lenz is revealing more details of her inspiring journey.
After previously sharing on her podcast she was "in a cult for 10 years," the One Tree Hill alum will detail her recovery from the harrowing experience in her debut memoir, Dinner for Vampires.
"An only child who often had to fend for herself and always wanted a place to belong, Lenz found the safe haven she'd been searching for in a Bible study group with other Hollywood creatives," a description for the book, from Simon & Schuster reads. "However, the group soon morphed into something more sinister—a slowly woven web of manipulation, abuse, and fear under the guise of a church covenant called The Big House Family."
The Big House Family, as Bethany alleges in the synopsis, coerced her to "give away her autonomy," relocate to the organization's Pacific Northwest compound, and had her have "Family ‘minders'" on set with her.
In addition, Bethany is set to describe the group's alleged practices to keep her a loyal member, including "‘Maoist struggle session'–inspired meetings in the basement of a filthy house, and regular counseling with ‘Leadership.'"
Bethany's new memoir comes after she previously described the obstacles that kept her from fully sharing her story when she first opened up about it last July.
"The pressure of getting it right, and everything having to be exactly real, and all the people that are involved," she said on the Drama Queens podcast at the time. "Also, I don't know how much I can say because there are still people and legal things in place that make it more complicated for the timing of that."
Dinner for Vampires, set to release in October, will also reveal a One Tree Hill "superfan" who allegedly helped Bethany regain her own sovereignty. And the Dexter actress has also previously credited her fellow castmates from the drama series—which included Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray—for support through the difficult life chapter.
"I feel like a lot of the people there, whether conscious or subconsciously," the 42-year-old told Southern Living last November. "knew that just their presence and being an encouragement and letting me know that they still love and cared about me in spite of the fact that I was a little weird. That made a big difference."
It's evident the One Tree Hill cast was a supportive, tight-knit crew. Read on for all the sweet moments from the show's 20th anniversary reunion.
E! News has reached out to The Big Family organization for comment but has not yet heard back.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (84345)
Related
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Salma Hayek Shows Off “White Hair” in Sizzling Bikini Photo
- Alabama HS football player dies after suffering head injury during game
- Army Ranger rescues fellow soldier trapped in car as it becomes engulfed in flames: Watch
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Lake Mary, Florida wins Little League World Series over Chinese Taipei in extra innings on walk-off bunt, error
- Army Ranger rescues fellow soldier trapped in car as it becomes engulfed in flames: Watch
- Video shows California principal's suggestive pep rally dancing. Now he's on leave.
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- US national parks are receiving record-high gift of $100M
Ranking
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Trump is expected to tie Harris to chaotic Afghanistan War withdrawal in speech to National Guard
- Lily Allen responds to backlash after returning adopted dog who ate her passport
- Court tosses Missouri law that barred police from enforcing federal gun laws
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Residential real estate was confronting a racist past. Then came the commission lawsuits
- How women of color with Christian and progressive values are keeping the faith — outside churches
- Hone swirls past Hawaii’s main islands after dumping enough rain to ease wildfire fears
Recommendation
In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
Trump is expected to tie Harris to chaotic Afghanistan War withdrawal in speech to National Guard
10-foot python found during San Francisco Bay Area sideshow bust
Court tosses Missouri law that barred police from enforcing federal gun laws
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
'First one to help anybody': Missouri man drowns after rescuing 2 people in lake
Washington Commanders will replace criticized Sean Taylor installation with statue
‘Deadpool’ and ‘Alien’ top charts again as ‘Blink Twice’ sees quiet opening