Bethany Joy attended Variety Power of Women in Nashville, TN on May 1, 2025.
- Public Appearances 05/01 Variety Power of Women Nashville
In the early 2000s, actress Bethany Joy Lenz was enjoying life as one of the stars of One Tree Hill, the popular teen drama that also starred Sophia Bush, Chad Michael Murray, and Hilarie Burton.
But throughout filming, she tells PEOPLE, she led a double life: At the same time, she was also deeply devoted to a small, ultra-Christian group led by a shady pastor in Idaho, who controlled her career, life choices and, eventually, her bank account.
By the time she got out a decade later, she had to start over with hardly anything to show for the nearly nine years she spent on the series — and a feeling of regret and shame for not realizing she was in a cult.
In her memoir Dinner for Vampires Life on a Cult TV Show (While also in an Actual Cult!) (out Oct. 22), Lenz tells the whole story for the first time.
More uploaded to the photo gallery!
- Magazine Scans 2024/10 People Magazine | October
- Photoshoots 2024 John Russo
The dates are set for Bethany Joy’s book tour the week of release! Please join on the road if you’re nearby!
Bethany Joy starring in Savoring Paris premiering June 8, 8/7c!
- Film Productions Savoring Paris Movie Stills
Bethany Joy attended Ordinary Angels” New York Premiere on February 19, 2024.
- Public Appearances 02/19 Ordinary Angels” New York Premiere
In the heart of bustling Los Angeles, a city known for its relentless pace despite the traffic, there are days that stand out—days that are lit by a different kind of energy. The day I spent with Bethany Joy Lenz was one of those days, a day where the vibrant pulse of the city seemed to dance to her rhythm.
From the moment she walked into the room, it was clear that her presence transcended the typical celebrity aura. Joy, as she prefers to be called, exuded a warmth that felt like a long-overdue hug from an old friend. Her outfit, effortlessly chic—a pair of vintage jeans, boots, and a whimsical hair scarf—embodied the very essence of our photoshoot. We were here to capture her, not just as a talented actress and musician but as the remarkable woman who had gracefully navigated the often tumultuous waters of fame, challenges, and personal growth.
I couldn’t help but recall a conversation with my co-worker just days before while preparing for the interview and photoshoot. It was her reminder of how ‘One Tree Hill,’ the iconic series that Joy was a part of, had paved the way to countless other shows my generation had come to love – Gilmore Girls, Riverdale, and the Fosters to name a few. Joy’s journey through that experience, as she would reveal during our interview, was a profound one. The purpose of our photoshoot was to celebrate her new book, which delved into her past experiences within a cult during her time on the show, and it was clear that this was no ordinary assignment.
Full article at bellomag.com
Bethany Joy covers this season’s Bello Magazine issue. Grab your copy today!
- Magazine & Scans September Bello Magazine
- Photoshoots 2023 Jen Rosenstein
The actor, best known for her main role on “One Tree Hill,” is in the process of writing a book about her experience in a cult.
“Why I wanted to talk about it is because I think it can be really healing for a lot of other people. I know I’m not the only one,” Lenz tells Variety. “What good are our painful experiences if we just lock them away and pretend like everything’s perfect? That’s not doing anybody any good.”
Lenz made headlines last month when she mentioned on her “Drama Queens” podcast that she had been part of a cult for 10 years. In addition to launching a newspaper and dropping a new single on Aug. 18, she’s been writing a book about the entire experience. She began writing during the pandemic, and is now getting back into it — which means, for now, some details are being held, including the name of the cult. However, Lenz details that it began as a home group Bible study in Los Angeles.
When Bethany Joy Lenz moved to Nashville last summer, the actress and singer-songwriter felt inspired to write her first new single, “Strawberries.”
Lenz, 42, wrote the lively track, in which she ponders her insecurities and the unpredictability of life and love, in just two hours. The One Tree Hill alum was staying with a friend when she found herself making physical comparisons.
“I think that’s why I love the song, because I feel like it’s relatable,” she explains. “As women, I feel like we often sit in this place of comparison, and I wanted to play with the juxtaposition of the jealousy and comparison that we feel, but also how we find our sense of confidence if we don’t compare, if we can all just enjoy each other. The song felt like just a fun, playful way to address those insecurities, but also come out on top with some confidence and laughter about it.”
Read full article at people.com
Hi all! We have a new layout finally! Version 2.0 (He)Arts – images from one of Bethany’s most iconic photo sessions with Rival Magazine. Thanks to very talented GraphGalaxy for this gorgeous header and color codes. Also updated the gallery layout with the same so it’s consistent. Hope you all love the new layout and if so, hit the heart below!
And as always: Please let me know if you find any broken links etc.
xx Hannah
Bethany Joy performed in Nashville, TN on June 7, 2023. If you would like to share images, please feel free! (hannah@{removethis}bethanyjoylenz.org)
- Performances 06/07 Nashville, TN
