One Tree Hill star reveals how she got roped into cult for 10 years: ‘I was looking for a place to belong’

As a dedicated follower, I can empathize with Bethany Joy Lenz’s harrowing journey through a religious cult that she was entangled in for over a decade. Her story is a poignant reminder of how easily one can be ensnared by the allure of belonging and the comfort of familiarity, even when it comes at the cost of personal freedom and well-being.

Actress Bethany Joy Lenz, famous for her role on One Tree Hill, shared her experience of unintentionally joining a spiritual group that functioned similarly to a cult, and she stayed in it for a decade.

Instead of releasing a memoir titled “Dinner For Vampires,” a 43-year-old woman is about to publish a book where she claims she suffered from manipulation, mistreatment, and terror that she believed was part of a religious agreement or covenant.

For ten years, she was governed by a powerful minister within The Big House Family, but eventually managed to break free and leave.

She alleges that the minister persuaded her into marrying his son, and subsequently embezzled large sums of money from her earnings generated by the TV show “One Tree Hill,” which aired from 2003 to 2012.

Now, as her book hits the shelves in a week’s time, she has shared with People the tale of what initially drew her into the organization.

Growing up, Bethany was rooted in an Evangelical Christian environment, yet she often found herself moving and longed for a sense of belonging throughout her childhood.

At age sixteen, she experienced her parents’ divorce, which occurred just a year prior to her major breakthrough role on the soap opera “Guiding Light,” following many years of acting as a child star.

In the midst of my chaotic childhood, I found solace and grounding in my passion for acting, and even more so in the fellowship of a Bible study circle, where like-minded individuals and I could share our perspective on life.

For Lenz, the Bible study gatherings served as an oasis amidst life’s challenges, providing opportunities for discussing God, sharing prayers, and joining voices in song with her fellow group members.

She expressed, ‘We long for that level of closeness. It’s comforting to think that somewhere, someone is saying: “Regardless of your actions, mistakes, or poor decisions, my love for you remains constant, and I am always by your side.”‘

Soon, a pastor she refers to as ‘Les’ began appearing at Bible-study, taking charge of sessions – and persuading attendees to move to his communal ‘Big House’ in Idaho.

Initially, it seemed ordinary, but suddenly, it transformed right before my eyes,” I confessed. “By the point of transformation, I had already delved too deep into those connections to recognize the change. And let me tell you, I was barely out of my youth.

Previously, Lenz mentioned that being part of the organization was like a quiet influence off-screen during the filming of One Tree Hill.

Last year, she admitted to Variety that her fellow actors were consistently attempting to help and rescue her, yet she proved to be so determined that they couldn’t persuade her.

Now it’s clear that she revealed that she could discern from the expressions of her One Tree Hill castmates that they were aware of her involvement with a cult.

However, Lenz explained it this way: “I wouldn’t consider myself part of a cult. Instead, I have an extraordinary connection with God and community that others strive for, but they don’t understand the path to achieve it.

When Craig Sheffer claimed to her that she belonged to a cult, she quickly retorted, “Absolutely not! Cults involve strange activities like people wearing robes, reciting bizarre phrases, and consuming drinks like Kool-Aid. We don’t engage in such practices!

In 2005, Lenz tied the knot with the late musician Michael Galeotti, who was previously known for his work in the band Enation, and also belonged to the Big House Family.

In 2011, the pair welcomed their sole child, a girl named Maria Rose, who is now 13 years old. The following year, she made the decision to part ways with her husband and the company.

Yet, it proved challenging for her to disentangle due to the immense importance at stake, considering how deeply her life was entwined with the organization.

The actress and singer stated, ‘They were my sole companions. Through marriage, I became part of this circle. I structured my entire existence around them. If I confessed that I was mistaken, it would cause everything else to collapse.’

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2024-10-15 16:49