Current:Home > ContactBethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Bethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To
View
Date:2025-04-25 09:36:10
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! (7776)
Related
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- Five Americans who have shined for other countries at 2023 World Cup
- 187,000 jobs added in July as unemployment falls to 3.5%
- Five Americans who have shined for other countries at 2023 World Cup
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Vivek Ramaswamy, the youngest GOP presidential candidate, wants civics tests for young voters 18 to 24
- Fire devastated this NYC Chinatown bookshop — community has rushed to its aid
- Mark Zuckerberg Reveals He Eats 4,000 Calories Per Day
- Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
- ‘Cuddling’: Just what the doctor ordered for rescued walrus calf in Alaska
Ranking
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- How the 1996 Murder of JonBenét Ramsey Became a National Obsession
- Chris Christie makes surprise visit to Ukraine, meets with Zelenskyy
- Farm Jobs Friday
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Mega Millions jackpot hits second-largest amount in lottery's history ahead of Friday drawing
- Students have already begun landing internships for summer 2024
- Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz: How to watch pay per view, odds and undercard fights
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Purple Blush Restock Alert: The Viral Product Is Back by Purple-Ar Demand
Lawsuit filed to block Port of New Orleans’ $1.8B container port project
How high school activism put Barbara Lee on the path to Congress — and a fight for Dianne Feinstein's seat
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Heat and wildfires put southern Europe’s vital tourism earnings at risk
The FDA approves the first pill specifically intended to treat postpartum depression
Driver says he considered Treat Williams a friend and charges in crash are not warranted