Bethany Joy Lenz's Shocking Revelations

Bethany Joy Lenz, beloved for her role in the hit series "One Tree Hill," has made shocking revelations about her decade-long involvement with a cult-like ultra-Christian group. At 43, Lenz candidly shared her journey during a recent interview with People magazine, detailing how she defended her life choices to her fellow cast members.

Defending Her Choices

In her forthcoming memoir titled "Dinner for Vampires," set to release on October 22, Lenz recalls feeling the skepticism of her co-stars, saying, "I could see it on their faces." She revealed her struggles to justify her involvement in what she considered a unique relationship with God. "I used to think, ‘I couldn’t possibly be in a cult. It’s just that I’ve got access to a relationship with God that everyone else wants but doesn’t know how to find,'" she explained.

Confrontation with Co-Star

Lenz shared a particularly poignant encounter with her co-star Craig Sheffer, who portrayed Keith Scott. Sheffer reportedly confronted her, stating plainly, "You’re in a cult," to which she vehemently disagreed. "I thought cults were all about people in robes drinking Kool-Aid, and that wasn’t us at all!" she stated.

The Beginning of Her Involvement

Her involvement with the group started when she met the lead pastor at a Bible study shortly after relocating to Los Angeles at the youthful age of 20. Initially, the group seemed harmless, filled with worship, singing, and discussions about life's deeper meanings. However, things took a turn when they were persuaded by a visiting pastor to relocate to what was referred to as a "Big House" in Idaho.

Realization and Departure

"It still looked normal at first," Lenz noted about the group's evolution, "But by the time it started changing, I was too entangled in relationships to realize. Plus, I was so young." After enduring a difficult journey, she finally left the group in 2012, shortly after giving birth to her daughter, Rosie, and ended her marriage to her husband, Michael Galeotti, who was also part of the cult.

High Stakes

"The stakes were incredibly high," Lenz reflected. "They were my only friends at the time, and I had built my life around this group. Admitting I was wrong felt like it would make my entire world collapse."

Support from Castmates

After her departure, Lenz expressed deep gratitude for the support she received from her "One Tree Hill" castmates, including Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton, Chad Michael Murray, and James Lafferty. On the "Biscuits & Jam" podcast, she shared, "Their encouragement and love made a monumental difference in my life, providing a sense of safety during a tumultuous time."

A Journey of Healing

Lenz's memoir promises to explore her journey further, capturing the courage she found to escape the confines of the cult, especially for the sake of her daughter. The book's description hints at a profound transformation, stating that Lenz overcame the grips of control she faced and began to heal from the trauma that had altered her relationship with faith forever.

Anticipation for the Memoir

As fans eagerly await her memoir, one thing is clear: Bethany Joy Lenz’s story is one of resilience, recovery, and the quest for true belonging. "Dinner for Vampires" is set to hit shelves on October 22 – mark your calendars!