Current:Home > FinanceBethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To -Streamline Finance
Bethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To
View
Date:2025-04-12 15:08:42
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! (843)
Related
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Vitamix recalls 569,000 blending containers and blade bases after dozens of lacerations
- University board announces new chancellor at NC A&T
- Eddie Murphy Makes Rare Comment About His Kids in Sweet Family Update
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Taylor Swift pauses London Eras Tour show briefly during 'Red' era: 'We need some help'
- How does heat kill? It confuses your brain. It shuts down your organs. It overworks your heart.
- Karen Derrico Shares Family Update Amid Divorce From Deon Derrico
- The 'Rebel Ridge' trailer is here: Get an exclusive first look at Netflix movie
- Reality TV’s Julie Chrisley must be resentenced in bank fraud, tax evasion case, appeals judges rule
Ranking
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Karen Derrico Shares Family Update Amid Divorce From Deon Derrico
- More than 1,000 people die at hajj pilgrimage 2024 amid extreme heat in Saudi Arabia, AFP reports
- Kevin Costner says he won't be returning to Yellowstone: It was something that really changed me
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Facial gum is all the rage on TikTok. So does it work?
- Ex-CEO of Nevada-based health care company Ontrak convicted of $12.5 million insider trading scheme
- Hawaii residents fined $20K after Hawaiian monk seal pup mauled by unleashed dogs
Recommendation
Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
Woman ID'd 21 years after body, jewelry found by Florida landscapers; search underway for killer
Gun injuries in 2023 still at higher rates than before pandemic across most states, CDC reports
Parts of Washington state parental rights law criticized as a ‘forced outing’ placed on hold
US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
The Supreme Court rules against California woman whose husband was denied entry to US
Gene therapy may cure rare diseases. But drugmakers have few incentives, leaving families desperate
Kristin Cavallari clarifies her past plastic surgeries. More celebs should do the same.