One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz apologizes to her parents for being in ‘cult’ for decades
As a neutral observer, I can only present the facts as they are laid out in this article. However, based on the experiences and perspectives of Richard Jackson, his wife Lisa Vultaggio, and Jonathan Jackson, it appears that their departure from the Wild Branch church and subsequent estrangement from the Galeotti family has been a source of significant emotional strain for them. Their descriptions of being ostracized or condemned by former friends due to their differing beliefs suggest a community that may be more closed-off or dogmatic than inclusive or welcoming.
More recently, actress Bethany Joy Lenz from One Tree Hill has publicly apologized to her parents, acknowledging and deeply regretting the emotional stress they experienced during her reported decade-long involvement with a group that some consider a cult.
The actress’ disclosure emerges concurrently with the publication of her memoir titled “Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cryptic TV Series,” in which she alleges that a clandestine Christian group manipulated her actions and misappropriated her multi-million dollar television income.
Previously, Lenz has discussed the structured nature of her life, even going so far as mentioning a specific ‘schedule for intimacy.’ However, she hadn’t explicitly admitted the impact her experiences had on her family until now.
She acknowledged during the I’ve Never Said This Before podcast on Tuesday that she hadn’t directly told her parents, “I’m sorry for the hardship I caused you over the past ten years.” While we may have hinted at it in different ways, she confessed that she hadn’t explicitly expressed this sentiment before.
With a tremble in her voice, she said, ‘Parents, I want to express my deepest apologies for the past decade. Although time has passed, I still feel compelled to say this… Thank you for standing by me during those tough times, for your unwavering patience and grace.’
Following the public dissemination, Lenz mentioned that she intends to personally speak with her parents, Cathie and Robert Lenz, to express her sincere apology once more.
Following a report by DailyMail.com, it’s worth mentioning that Bethany had distanced herself from her grieving father for a span of six years, following her marriage into the sect. During this period, she communicated to him: “The happiness you once knew no longer exists.
68-year-old history teacher Robert Lenz learned a heartbreaking message from his actress daughter, who had recently become deeply devoted to Pastor Mike Galeotti, the founder of the little-known church, Wild Branch Ministries.
In a 2012 court document acquired by DailyMail.com, Aunt Diane Terraccino stated that [Galeotti] assumed the roles of both spiritual guide and stand-in father for Lenz.
In simpler terms, ‘Joy’s father felt the distance growing between them and attempted to discuss the issue with her. However, he urged her to move away, which would have been beneficial earlier. Regrettably, another family had already drawn Joy closer by this point.’
43-year-old Lenz, well known for portraying Haley James Scott on One Tree Hill, published a memoir recently that openly discusses her decade-long relationship with Wild Branch, a company situated in Battle Ground, Washington.
As a diehard devotee, I’d assert that they held sway over my marital ties, professional journey, and fiscal matters, leaving me with mere scraps after nine seasons on the smashing success of that formative years series.
The conflict between this TV personality and the Galeottis family started in 2012, following her divorce from the eldest son of the pastor, Michael, and her subsequent criticism of the church as a misogynistic cult and an unsuitable environment for their child, Maria, due to safety concerns.
Among many others, including ex-worshippers of Wild Branch, Terraccino provided court statements corroborating his niece’s allegations.
During their entire marriage, she mentioned that Lenz chose not to communicate with her brother, following a concerning email Robert got from his daughter just before her wedding in December 2005.
It seemed as though it came from someone unfamiliar. Besides various statements, she mentioned that she was no longer the same Joy he had known before… “that former self was gone.
1) ‘This incident was exceptionally scary for us… Additionally, she informed him that any future communication with her should only occur via Michael,’ as Terraccino penned down.
In a similar manner, control and manipulation were detailed by nurse Gabriele Stevens, who saw her four kids, ranging from 16 to 22 years old, reside in the vast, luxury mansion inhabited by Galeotti and his devotees – commonly referred to as ‘The Big House’.
To begin with, I couldn’t help but marvel at the harmonious spirit of our shared utopia, where we all gathered to venerate, reside, and often labor side by side. That was my initial take on it.
Over time, however, Stevens’s children began to turn their backs on their ‘bio family’.
While they held low-paying positions within the church, Stevens was regularly asked to contribute generously towards extravagant initiatives.
According to her statement, she invested $75,000 into a hotel project that didn’t come to fruition, and she claimed it was never returned to her.
Stevens pointed out that a significant number of individuals within the community often chose to marry other members from the same community.
Dalia Torres, a former school principal who has since retired, shared that her youngest child started behaving more reserved and enigmatic following her connection with Wild Branch.
During her visits, they were usually brief and there was typically someone from her church group with her, she mentioned. She expressed a firm conviction that “Wild Branch” could be considered a cult.
Despite some criticisms, Galeotti also gained numerous supporters in Battle Ground. In this town, he was honored as Businessperson of the Year in 2011 and has been running a restaurant, management firm, and wine bar there.
Annette Hunt offered a compliment acknowledging the U.S. Marine veteran, aged 62, as a highly respected individual within the local Rotary Club.
Michael Ciraulo, who was the head of Clark County Fire & Rescue at the time, commended indie rock musician Michael, aged 40, and his father as ‘outstanding and model citizens.’
Notable members of Wild Branch, including Jeanine Jackson and her spouse Rick, a well-known country musician who has run for congress twice, were some of Galeotti’s most outspoken supporters.
In his statement, Rick Jackson mentioned that there have been claims suggesting Mike exhibits excessive control, and he’s also heard some former members of the church or ministry Mike heads refer to him as a “cult leader.
This gathering encourages, rather than compels, its members to embrace and cherish God and one another. Their approach has resulted in profound healing – both physical and emotional – for countless individuals.
Anyone wishing to leave this religious fellowship is absolutely entitled to do so whenever they see fit. Previously, my sons belonged here but they don’t anymore.
‘It was never imposed on them that they had to stay within this ministry. Instead, they’ve been given words filled with affection and blessings.’
However, the departure from the church affected Richard and Jonathan Jackson more profoundly than their father anticipated.
Richard, both an actor and a drummer, explained that he was cut off from his previous companions following his departure from Wild Branch due to disagreements about religious beliefs.
I proudly proclaim that my beloved brother, Jonathan – a five-time Daytime Emmy victor known for his portrayal of Lucky Spencer on General Hospital – has been labeled ‘evil’ simply because he embraced the Orthodox Christian faith.
In June 2012, Richard expressed that while he understands “cult-like” is a powerful term, his personal experiences suggest that the Big House family exhibits traits reminiscent of certain marginalized cult-like behaviors to some extent.
In simpler terms, Lisa Vultaggio, Jonathan Jackson’s wife, was particularly critical. She wrote that Mike considers himself a kind of spiritual leader, granted divine authority to guide his followers, with no external oversight.
I stated: ‘I firmly believe that the individuals within our communal group are not inherently wicked or prone to causing physical harm.’
‘They are sick people who cannot see the damage that they have inflicted on themselves and others.’
During a three-day trial in the summer of 2015, Lenz enlisted the help of a cult specialist to support her argument against the Galeottis.
However, the judge in Clark County, Washington, was not persuaded by the evidence presented, as it failed to demonstrate that the pastor and his 63-year-old wife, Sheila, posed a danger to their 13-year-old granddaughter.
According to Judge James Rulli’s decision, Maria will primarily reside with her mother in Los Angeles. However, Michael is granted visitation rights and can occasionally have his daughter stay with the Galeotti family.
In the judge’s ruling, it was stated that there’s no reason to limit the child’s interaction with the father’s relatives and acquaintances, as there’s no indication of potential danger to the child in the father’s home.
In 2017, during Michael’s deployment with the Air National Guard, he managed to obtain the court’s approval for Sheila to utilize his allotted parenting time, overcoming Lenz’s recent opposition.
In her statement, Sheila noted that it’s quite significant that, even though Maria claimed before trial that she would experience emotional or psychological harm if near the Galeottis, she hasn’t mentioned any negative effects on Maria from being with the Galeotti family for the past two years.
In response to Lenz’s accusations, Mike Galeotti shared with Dailymail.com: ‘That’s not how it actually transpired.’
Michael explained that he didn’t want to upset his daughter by bringing up the topic of his divorce, stating, “I prefer not to stir things up for her.
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2024-10-30 00:26