Current:Home > StocksBethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To -EverVision Finance
Bethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To
View
Date:2025-04-11 14:42:27
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! (2263)
Related
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- 3rd Republican presidential debate is set for Nov. 8 in Miami, with the strictest qualifications yet
- At least 20 students abducted in a new attack by gunmen targeting schools in northern Nigeria
- Teenager arrested after starting massive 28-acre fire when setting off fireworks
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- You can't overdose on fentanyl just by touching it. Here's what experts say.
- Targeted strikes may spread to other states and cities as midday deadline set by auto workers nears
- A Louisiana fugitive was captured in Mexico after 32 years on the run — and laughs as he's handcuffed
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- More young adults are living at home across the U.S. Here's why.
Ranking
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- It's a love story, baby just say yes: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, the couple we need
- Lawn mowers and equipment valued at $100,000 stolen from parking lot at Soldier Field
- Why Chris Olsen Is Keeping His New Boyfriend’s Identity a Secret
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir free a key Muslim cleric after years of house arrest
- Texas, Oklahoma were to pay a steep price for leaving Big 12 early. That's not how it turned out
- Biden campaign to air new ad in battleground states that argues GOP policies will hurt Latino voters
Recommendation
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
Column: Coach Prime dominates the college football world. What might come next?
Eagles' A.J. Brown on 'sideline discussion' with QB Jalen Hurts: We're not 'beefing'
Book bans continue to rise in US public schools, libraries: 'Attacks on our freedom'
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
Black teens learn to fly and aim for careers in aviation in the footsteps of Tuskegee Airmen
Watch what happens after these seal pups get tangled in a net and are washed on shore
Some providers are dropping gender-affirming care for kids even in cases where it’s legal