Bethany Joy Lenz, known for her role in the hit TV show “One Tree Hill,” has opened up about a dark period in her life where she was involved in a cult. The actress shared her experience on the latest episode of the Drama Queens podcast, hosted by her former co-stars Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton Morgan.
Lenz revealed that she spent a decade recovering from her time in the cult and explained why it has been difficult for her to talk about it. She mentioned that her ADHD has made it challenging over the years, but she has written numerous essays and chapters about her experience. However, she admitted that putting it all together has been a struggle.
During the podcast, Lenz did not disclose the name of the organization she was referring to. In 2021, she spoke out against the Mosaic Church in an Instagram caption, but clarified that she only attended the church intermittently for two years.
The actress expressed that there is a lot to tell about her experience in the cult and acknowledged the pressure of getting the details right and considering the people involved. She also mentioned that legal matters and the involvement of certain individuals make it complicated to share everything at this time.
For Lenz, Bush, and Burton Morgan, the Drama Queens podcast has become a platform to reclaim their legacy. In 2017, multiple cast and crew members of “One Tree Hill” came forward with allegations of assault and harassment against the show’s creator, Mark Schwahn. The podcast allows the three actresses to take back their work and separate themselves from the actions of others.
Bush shared in a 2021 interview with Forbes that rewatching the series can be challenging due to the memories it brings back. She recalled a conversation with Schwahn where she expressed discomfort with the amount of nudity the show demanded from her. Schwahn responded by insisting that she do whatever was written for her, which Bush felt was not what she had signed up for.
Burton Morgan explained that the podcast allows them to reclaim what is rightfully theirs and embrace the excitement they had as young actors. Despite not yet sharing her cult story in long form, Lenz, who is also a musician, assured that she writes all the time. She hinted at upcoming projects and expressed her commitment to the podcast in the meantime.
Why did Bethany Joy Lenz refrain from mentioning the name of the specific organization she was involved in, and what factors make it challenging for her to share everything at this time
Bethany Joy Lenz, known for her role in the popular TV show “One Tree Hill,” has recently opened up about a difficult period in her life when she was involved in a cult. The actress candidly shared her experience on the latest episode of the Drama Queens podcast, which is hosted by her former co-stars Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton Morgan.
Lenz disclosed that it took her a decade to recover from her time in the cult and revealed why discussing it has been a challenge for her. She mentioned that her ADHD has made it difficult to articulate her thoughts and feelings over the years, but she has written extensively about her experiences in various essays and chapters. However, putting everything together has proven to be a struggle.
During the podcast, Lenz refrained from mentioning the name of the specific organization she was involved in. In 2021, she did, however, speak out against the Mosaic Church in an Instagram caption, clarifying that her attendance at the church was intermittent and only lasted for two years.
The actress expressed that there is much to reveal about her time in the cult but acknowledged the pressures of getting the details right and considering the individuals involved. She also touched on legal matters and the complications that arise from certain people’s involvement, making it challenging for her to share everything at this time.
For Lenz, Bush, and Burton Morgan, the Drama Queens podcast serves as a platform to reclaim their legacy. In 2017, a number of cast and crew members from “One Tree Hill” came forward with allegations of assault and harassment against the show’s creator, Mark Schwahn. The podcast provides the three actresses with an opportunity to distance themselves from the actions of others and reclaim their work.
Bush shared in a 2021 interview with Forbes that rewatching the series can be difficult due to the memories it evokes. She recalled a conversation with Schwahn where she expressed discomfort with the amount of nudity required of her character. Schwahn disregarded her concerns, insisting that she perform whatever was written, which went against what Bush had initially agreed to.
Burton Morgan explained that the podcast allows them to reclaim what is rightfully theirs and rediscover the excitement they felt as young actors. Despite not yet sharing her cult story in great detail, Lenz, who is also a musician, assured listeners that she writes constantly and hinted at upcoming projects. She also expressed her dedication to the podcast in the meantime.
Thank you for sharing your story, Bethany. It takes immense strength to open up about such a deeply personal and challenging part of your life. Your bravery inspires others who may have faced similar experiences.