Current:Home > NewsBethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To -Wealth Pursuit Network
Bethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To
View
Date:2025-04-16 14:28:14
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! (85)
Related
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Idris Elba meets with King Charles III to discuss UK youth violence: See photos
- The race is on to save a 150-year-old NY lighthouse from crumbling into the Hudson River
- Trump asks judge to throw out conviction in New York hush money case
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Alec Baldwin and Wife Hilaria Cry in Court After Judge Dismisses Rust Shooting Case
- 2024 ESPY awards: Ranking the best-dressed on the red carpet
- Jayden Daniels hopes to win, shift culture with Washington Commanders
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Tobey Maguire, 49, spotted with model Lily Chee, 20: We need to talk about age gaps
Ranking
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Progressives look to Supreme Court to motivate voters in 2024 race
- Why Gilmore Girls' Keiko Agena Has Always Been Team Jess in Rory's Best Boyfriend Debate
- Man who plotted to murder TV host Holly Willoughby sentenced to life: Reports
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Missouri execution plans move forward despite prosecutor trying to overturn murder conviction
- Historically Black Cancer Alley town splits over a planned grain terminal in Louisiana
- Houston hospitals report spike in heat-related illness during widespread storm power outages
Recommendation
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
Catarina Macario off USWNT Olympic roster with injury. Coach Emma Hayes names replacement
Commission backs Nebraska governor’s return-to-office order
Brittany Mahomes Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby No. 3 With Patrick Mahomes
Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
MOD Pizza has new owner after closing 44 restaurants amid bankruptcy rumors
Landslide in Nepal sweeps 2 buses into monsoon-swollen river, leaving 51 people missing
Witness testimony begins in trial of Alec Baldwin, charged in shooting death on Rust film set