Actress Bethany Joy Lenz Opens Up About Her Decade-Long Journey with The Big House Family Cult
In a shocking revelation, Bethany Joy Lenz shared her experiences as a member of The Big House Family cult for ten years, shedding light on her involvement and its impact on her life.
One Tree Hill Alum Bethany Joy Lenzs Quotes About Her Involvement in The Big Family House Cult
Bethany Joy Lenz Emily Assiran/Getty Images for That’s 4 Entertainment
Bethany Joy Lenz, known for her role in One Tree Hill, openly shared about her journey of "recovery" following a ten-year involvement in a cult.
During a July 2023 episode of her podcast "Drama Queens," where she cohosts with fellow OTH stars Hilarie Burton Morgan and Sophia Bush, Lenz revealed, "I was in a cult for 10 years. That would be a really valuable experience to write about, and the recovery — 10 years of recovery after that. So there’s a lot to tell."
Lenz stated that despite some initial hesitations, she was eager to share her experience.
She mentioned, "I may not be able to disclose all the details at this time due to certain individuals and legal matters that need to be considered."
Lenz decided to share her reflections in a memoir called Dinner for Vampires, set to be released in October 2024. The name of the group she was said to be part of was disclosed in the book’s summary.
One Tree Hill Alum Bethany Joy Lenzs Quotes About Her Involvement in The Big Family House Cult
Bethany Joy Lenz discovered a sense of belonging in a Bible study group with fellow Hollywood creatives, as stated on Simon & Schuster's website. Initially a safe haven she had longed for, the group took a dark turn, evolving into a manipulative and abusive environment under the guise of a church covenant known as The Big House Family. (We have reached out for comment.)
While not much is known about the organization, the book's logline mentions that Lenz was persuaded to marry a son of a controlling minister. It is claimed that he took millions of her TV earnings without her realizing. (Lenz was previously married to Michael Galeotti from 2005 to 2012, and they have a daughter named Maria Rose.)
Continue reading to discover more about Lenz's personal account of her involvement in the cult and how she managed to break free.
July 2023
Lenz shared on “Drama Queens” that her struggle with ADHD has made it challenging to compile her essays and chapters into a cohesive narrative about her past. Despite the difficulties, she expressed her desire to write about her experiences.
Lenz, who fronts the band Everly, noted that she also channeled her emotions on the subject into song.
August 2023
Lenz joined the organization a year or two after she started playing Haley James Scott on OTH, which aired in September 2003. Her involvement with the Big House Family was well known among her fellow cast members.
One Tree Hill Alum Bethany Joy Lenzs Quotes About Her Involvement in The Big Family House Cult
Bethany Joy Lenz shared her experience with Variety, recalling a time when others tried to save and rescue her. She appreciated the care and concern shown towards her, but admitted to being stubborn. She believed she was making the best choices, despite the isolation enforced by the group. The group made her distrust everyone except for the leadership and those approved by them, leading to constant manipulation and division among members.
She further told Variety that filming OTH in North Carolina helped her gain a “spatial separation” from the “bible-based cult” that helped her ultimately decide to leave.
September 2023
Lenz reached her “breaking point” before leaving the Big House Family. She expressed feeling overwhelmed by the highs and lows, questioning why she felt so up and down all the time. In an interview with E! News, she shared her relief when a few people reassured her that there may not be anything wrong with her.
In October 2023, Lenz shared, "I had lost a lot of my faith along the way. And one of my prayers was just sort of like, ‘You have to just meet me where I am because I don’t even know if I know who you are anymore,’ and that’s how God just kept showing up for me in spite of the fact that I was thrusting a middle finger up in the air and being like, ‘Screw you!’"
Lenz shared on The Tamron Hall Show that she initially gravitated towards the group because of its bible study-like setting.
"It just felt like the right fit for me," she explained. "Growing up in the city, being an only child in Jersey, my parents were always busy with their own lives. I didn't feel like I had a strong bond with family or community."
Lenz moved to Los Angeles from New York in search of a "safe place".
Initially, she found it lovely but later felt isolated from her OTH costars and parents. She shared, "I felt loved. They made me believe I was amazing and wonderful, but then they would criticize and pick at my flaws until I felt worthless. Eventually, they would build me back up again. It was like, 'These people love me even though I'm a mess'."
February 2024
She announced her memoir via Instagram, calling the cult “an abusive, high-demand group.”
Being a writer has brought me immense joy in my life since I was around 12 years old. While this may not be the first book I had in mind to share with the public, I am thankful for the opportunity to tell my story in my own words. It explores themes of forgiveness, reveals the intricacies of manipulation, and is woven with moments of both heartache and humor. We all make mistakes, and I hope that Dinner for Vampires serves as a reminder that no matter the strange paths we've taken, we are never truly alone.
