Current:Home > MyBethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To -FundGuru
Bethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To
View
Date:2025-04-13 10:10:07
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! (9)
Related
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- ‘Mom, are We Going to Die?’ How to Talk to Kids About Hard Things Like Covid-19 and Climate Change
- Startup aims to make lab-grown human eggs, transforming options for creating families
- Channing Tatum Shares Lesson He Learned About Boundaries While Raising Daughter Everly
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- ‘We Need to Hear These Poor Trees Scream’: Unchecked Global Warming Means Big Trouble for Forests
- Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Only Has Sales Twice a Year: Don't Miss These Memorial Day Deals
- Transcript: Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Face the Nation, June 25, 2023
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Man killed, cruise ships disrupted after 30-foot yacht hits ferry near Miami port
Ranking
- Sam Taylor
- The Best Memorial Day 2023 You Can Still Shop Today: Wayfair, Amazon, Kate Spade, Nordstrom, and More
- American Climate Video: A Maintenance Manager Made Sure Everyone Got Out of Apple Tree Village Alive
- Ireland Baldwin Reflects on Struggle With Anxiety During Pregnancy With Daughter Holland
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Ireland Baldwin Reflects on Struggle With Anxiety During Pregnancy With Daughter Holland
- Russia's ruble drops to 14-month low after rebellion challenges Putin's leadership
- Vaccines could be the next big thing in cancer treatment, scientists say
Recommendation
Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
America’s Wind Energy Boom May Finally Be Coming to the Southeast
2 dead, 15 injured after shooting at Michigan party
Alaska’s Soon-To-Be Climate Refugees Sue Energy Companies for Relocation
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
Battered by Matthew and Florence, North Carolina Must Brace for More Intense Hurricanes
Carbon Tax and the Art of the Deal: Time for Some Horse-Trading
Solar Power Taking Hold in Nigeria, One Mobile Phone at a Time