Current:Home > StocksBethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To -WealthPro Academy
Bethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To
View
Date:2025-04-15 21:56:39
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! (42)
Related
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- Free covid tests by mail are back, starting Monday
- Myanmar state media say 12 people are missing after a boat capsized and sank in a northwest river
- 'Probably haunted' funeral home listed for sale as 3-bedroom house with rooms 'gutted and waiting'
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Florida agriculture losses between $78M and $371M from Hurricane Idalia, preliminary estimate says
- 'Paw-sitively exciting': Ohio zoo welcomes twin Siberian tiger cubs
- See Powerball winning numbers: Jackpot grows to $725 million after no winner in Wednesday drawing
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- The U.N. system is ‘sclerotic and hobbled’ and needs urgent reform, top European Union official says
Ranking
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Their husbands’ misdeeds leave Norway’s most powerful women facing the consequences
- WWE 'Friday Night Smackdown' moving to USA Network in 2024, will air NBC primetime shows
- Starbucks ordered to court over allegations Refresher drinks lack fruit
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Russia calls temporary halt to gasoline, diesel fuel exports
- Two debut books make the prestigious Booker Prize shortlist
- Bob Ross' 1st painting from famed TV show up for auction. How much is it?
Recommendation
Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
1.5 million people asked to conserve water in Seattle because of statewide drought
Biometrics could be the key to protecting your digital ID: 5 Things podcast
Colorado house fire kills two children and injures seven other people
Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
India expels diplomat from Canada as relations plummet over Sikh leader's assassination
Amazon's 20 Top-Rated Fashion Finds Under $20
WWE 'Friday Night Smackdown' moving to USA Network in 2024, will air NBC primetime shows