Current:Home > InvestBethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To -MoneyBase
Bethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To
View
Date:2025-04-13 15:24:15
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! (457)
Related
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Israeli strikes in central Gaza kill at least 35 as Netanyahu says war will continue for months
- AFC playoff picture: Baltimore Ravens secure home-field advantage
- Puppies, purebreds among the growing list of adoptable animals filling US shelters
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- See New Year's Eve store hours for Walmart, Target, Costco, Kroger, Publix, Aldi, more
- Nick Saban knew what these Alabama players needed most this year: His belief in them
- Houthis show no sign of ending ‘reckless’ Red Sea attacks as trade traffic picks up, commander says
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Detroit Pistons face final chance to avoid carrying NBA-record losing streak into 2024
Ranking
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- German chancellor tours flooded regions in the northwest, praises authorities and volunteers
- Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Embrace in New Photo Amid Blossoming Romance
- No longer welcome in baseball, Omar Vizquel speaks for first time since lawsuit | Exclusive
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- German officials detain 3 more suspects in connection with a Cologne Cathedral attack threat
- PGA Tour updates players on negotiations with investors, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund as deadline extends into 2024
- The year in review: Top news stories of 2023 month-by-month
Recommendation
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
Shecky Greene, legendary standup comic, improv master and lord of Las Vegas, dies at 97
Teen killed in Australia shark attack
Michigan giving 'big middle finger' to its critics with College Football Playoff run
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
The year in review: Top news stories of 2023 month-by-month
Off-duty sergeant fatally shot at North Carolina gas station while trying to intervene during a crime, police say
Colorado mother suspected of killing her 2 children and wounding a third arrested in United Kingdom