One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz has opened up about the time she spent in an “abusive” cult – and revealed how, as a child star, “encountering men in positions of power” eventually pushed her into the group .
Bethany, 42, previously revealed she was a member of an unnamed religious organization that used “isolation” to “manipulate” her for more than a decade.
Now she has spoken to about her time with the horrific cult – and she admitted being in the spotlight as a teenager made it an easier target for her.
She also addressed the “excruciatingly painful” tactics the institution used to control almost everything in her life — including the role she took on as an actress.
One Tree Hill’s Bethany Joy Lenz spoke about her time in an “abusive” cult – and revealed how as a child star she was pushed into the group by “encountering men in positions of power”.
Bethany (seen center on One Tree Hill), 42, previously revealed she was a member of an unnamed religious organization that used ‘isolation’ to ‘manipulate’ her for more than a decade.
Now she has spoken to about her time with the horrific cult – and she admitted being in the spotlight as a teenager made it an easier target for her
She claimed the leaders forced her to turn down one of her “dream” roles, which made her “cry” for days.
“I was actually offered Belle in Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. “The role I’d been auditioning for since I was about 16,” she recalls.
“I have to talk about what my life as a child actress was like and some of the experiences I had when I was 14, meeting men in positions of power and being stuck in a room with them alone,” said Bethany (seen in her first movie). role at age 11) said. “These things affect how you move through your life in the future”
“It was absolutely my absolute Broadway dream role.” I had auditioned, and then I went back in and read for the producers, and then I had a work session with the music director. And I got the offer and I couldn’t believe it.’
Bethany, who recently released her brand new single “Strawberries,” said she was “so excited” but was “convinced” by the “people she trusted” that it wasn’t for her because they were “resting “ must.
“They said to turn it down because you can’t surpass God.” “That was the idea,” she continued.
‘[They said]”You just let it go and God will bring something else back.” But it was the most painful [thing], [just] excruciating.
“I only remember crying [I was] It’s so sad to let go of that part. And I did, I declined. I grew up in musical theater. “All I ever wanted to do was Broadway.”
In the end, however, Bethany revealed that if she had joined the musical, it would have taken a “completely different course” for her life, so looking back, she wouldn’t change a thing.
Bethany (seen in 2021) said the group’s leaders forced her to turn down her “dream role” as Belle in Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast, which made her “cry” for days
She is currently working on a memoir about her experiences, which will be published early next year
“That was a tough question, and every time I hear the songs or see the show in a school play for little kids or whatever, I always think a little bit…” she trailed off. “But the truth is, if I took that, my daughter wouldn’t exist.”
Bethany is currently working on a memoir about her experiences, which will be published early next year.
She explained to that while the book would focus heavily on her time in the group, it would also contain intimate details of her rise to fame, which she says played a big part in her eventual indoctrination into the cult .
“The great bulk of the memoir is about my time in this high-demand group, [but] “I need to be able to provide context,” she explained.
“I have to talk about what my life as a child actor was like and the house I grew up in and some of the experiences I had when I was 14, meeting men in positions of influence and being in a room with them stuck.” alone.
“These things affect how you move through your life going forward.” So a lot of this is just going to be backstory because it’s important for the context.”
Raised in Hollywood, Florida, the star began acting as a child – starring in numerous commercials before landing her first supporting role in the 1992 film Psalty’s Salvation Celebration when she was just 11 years old.
In the following years she had a few small appearances in various films and shows before she got her break in 1998 at the age of 17 in the soap opera Guiding Light.
Five years later, she joined the cast of the CW’s One Tree Hill, quickly becoming one of its biggest stars.
She also recently released her new single “Strawberries” and is in the process of recording her next album
Speaking to , the mother-of-one says she has no regrets about her trip – despite the terrible years she spent with the religious organization
“I’m not going to lie down and just let myself be kicked.” You pick it up. You have to take control of things and use them to help. “I can’t sit around and relive it over and over again and be sad,” she shared
In addition to her acting career, Bethany is also a successful singer and has released five albums over the years.
Speaking to , the mother-of-one said she has no regrets about her trip – despite the terrible years she spent with the religious organization.
“My life exists and what happens to me will happen to me.” So I don’t know how helpful it is to say again, I wish that hadn’t happened to me,” she explained.
“If it weren’t for that, it would have been something else.” So it’s the devil you know. That’s the devil I know.
“I’m not going to lie down and just let myself be kicked.” You pick it up. You have to take control of things and use them to help. “I can’t just sit and relive it and be sad.”
She explained why she stayed with the organization for so long: “There are many reasons.” [why] People stay in abusive situations.
‘There [could be] something really good about it. For example, if you’re in an abusive relationship but the sex is really good, that’s why many people stick around for a long time.
“Or because the person treats you really well six days out of seven, but on the seventh day you have a black eye.”
“I think group dynamics and cult dynamics are like that, it’s the same thing.” There’s a lot that feels really good and really fun.
“There was certainly no lack of laughter, but there was no lack of crying and deep depression either.”
The actress explained that while she was still in “a lot of pain” from it, she was trying to “process” it and remain “vulnerable,” which is why she decided to be so open about it.
She added that there was “an element of freedom” in not being “ashamed” of what happened to her.
The actress explained that while she was still in “a lot of pain” from it, she was trying to “process” it and remain “vulnerable,” which is why she decided to be so open about it
‘Yes, I was in a cult and it’s pretty crazy.’ But you have to forgive yourself – if you don’t forgive yourself, how will you ever laugh again?’ She said.
“How are you ever supposed to enjoy life if you’re constantly talking about your own mistakes about yourself?”
She’s now focused on her upcoming book – and also in the middle of recording her next album.
“I would definitely love to tour and I definitely have plans to make an album,” she told .
“We’ll probably record a single every three months and then put together an album of other songs you haven’t heard.”
“In the meantime, I’ll just take care of this stuff. “I have so much fun working in country music in Nashville.”
Bethany previously told Variety that she grew up in a Christian household and that she was drawn into the cult when she joined a weekly Bible study group in her “early 20s” and “turned out to be the person who was put into the leadership position.” “. Be a “sociopath”.
She also recalled how her “One Tree Hill” co-stars tried desperately to help her, but admitted that unfortunately she was in too deep.
“It was the whispers behind the scenes, like, ‘You know, she’s in a cult.’ For a while, they all tried to save and save me, which is beautiful and so amazing that they’re treated like that care,” she recalls.
“But I was very stubborn. “I really chose what I felt were the best choices I could make.”
She also reflected on the moment she finally realized she was being manipulated into reading “Entertainment Tonight.”
“I think control affects everyone in different ways, but there are certain moments that I can remember and remember, ‘This isn’t just my relationship with God anymore. Now there’s someone else in the mix.’ She remarked.
Bethany added that many of her insights into her situation came during her time on the set of One Tree Hill, and then again when she became a mother to daughter Maria in 2011, whom she shares with ex-husband Michael Galeotti.