Current:Home > Contact-usBethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To-LoTradeCoin
Bethany Joy Lenz Reveals Name of Alleged "Cult" She Says She Belonged To
View Date:2024-12-23 21:13:34
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! (4)
Related
- Knicks Player Ogugua Anunoby Nearly Crashes Into Anne Hathaway and Her Son During NBA Game
- Masked shooters kill 4 people and injure 3 at an outdoor party in California, police say
- The enduring story for Underground Railroad Quilts
- A cross-country effort to capture firsthand memories of Woodstock before they fade away
- Harriet Tubman posthumously honored as general in Veterans Day ceremony: 'Long overdue'
- 'Dune: Part Two' ending explained: Atreides' revenge is harrowing warning (spoilers ahead)
- NPR puzzlemaster Will Shortz says he is recovering from a stroke
- Pennsylvania woman faces life after conviction in New Jersey murders of father, his girlfriend
- My Chemical Romance will perform 'The Black Parade' in full during 2025 tour: See dates
- 4 new astronauts head to the International Space Station for a 6-month stay
Ranking
- Why Officials Believe a Missing Kayaker Faked His Own Death and Ran Off to Europe
- Trader Joe's recalls its chicken soup dumplings for possibly having marker plastics
- Texas firefighters battle flames stoked by strong winds as warnings are issued across the region
- The semi driver rescued dangling from a bridge had been struck by an oncoming vehicle: mayor
- Lala Kent Swears by This Virgo-Approved Accessory and Shares Why Stassi Schroeder Inspires Her Fall Style
- Why is Victoria Beckham using crutches at her Paris Fashion Week show?
- Northern California battered by blizzard, Sierra Nevada residents dig out: See photos
- Texas WR Xavier Worthy breaks John Ross' NFL combine record with 4.21-second 40-yard dash
Recommendation
-
Horoscopes Today, November 12, 2024
-
South Carolina Poised to Transform Former Coal-Fired Plant Into a Gas Utility as Public Service Commission Approves Conversion
-
2 races, including crowded chief justice campaign, could push Arkansas court further to the right
-
Iowa Democrats were forced to toss the caucus. They’ll quietly pick a 2024 nominee by mail instead
-
Utah AD Mark Harlan fined $40,000 for ripping referees and the Big 12 after loss to BYU
-
Two fragile DC neighborhoods hang in the balance as the Wizards and Capitals consider leaving town
-
12 feet of snow, 190 mph wind gust as 'life-threatening' blizzard pounds California
-
Texas police arrest suspect in abduction of 12-year-old girl who was found safe after 8 days