Current:Home > ContactBethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To -Edge Finance Strategies
Bethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To
View
Date:2025-04-16 10:51:31
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! (93)
Related
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Beyoncé's name to be added to French encyclopedic dictionary
- WNBA to begin full-time charter flights this season, commissioner says
- Horoscopes Today, May 7, 2024
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Viral ad from 1996 predicts $16 burger and $65k 'basic car': How accurate is it?
- Boeing’s first astronaut launch is off until late next week to replace a bad rocket valve
- Woman who used Target self-checkout to steal more than $60,000 of items convicted of theft
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Reggie Miller warns Knicks fans ahead of MSG return: 'The Boogeyman is coming'
Ranking
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Taylor Swift bill is signed into Minnesota law, boosting protections for online ticket buyers
- Aaron Hernandez's fiancée responds to jokes made about late NFL player at Tom Brady's roast: Such a cruel world
- Police investigating shooting outside Drake’s mansion that left security guard wounded
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Mary J. Blige asserts herself with Strength of a Woman: 'Allow me to reintroduce myself'
- Rabbi decries act of ‘senseless hatred' after dozens of headstones damaged at Jewish cemetery in NY
- Mexico tightens travel rules on Peruvians in a show of visa diplomacy to slow migration to US
Recommendation
Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
Social Security benefits could be cut in 2035, one year later than previously forecast
Jurors should have considered stand-your-ground defense in sawed-off shotgun killing, judges rule
Texas mother sent text to ex-husband saying, 'Say goodbye to your son' before killing boy
San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
Nintendo hints at release date for its long-awaited Switch 2 video game console
Why Hunter Schafer Is Proof Kim Kardashian's Met Gala Sweater Was Not a Wardrobe Malfunction
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi There! (Freestyle)