Bethany Joy Lenz Alludes To ‘Bizarre’ Friendship With ‘OTH’ Star

Bethany Joy Lenz is opening up about a heartbreaking experience in her personal life in her upcoming memoir. However, there are some personal situations she’s keeping mum about.

The actress starred as Haley James-Scott on the beloved teen drama “One Tree Hill” from 2003 until 2012. The friendships between the cast members of “One Tree Hill” have remained tight both publicly and privately since the show wrapped 12 years ago; the cast regularly attends fan conventions around the show, often held in North Carolina, where the show took place.

The friendship between the three central female stars has also endured the test of time. Lenz has co-hosted a podcast with friends Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton-Morgan called “Drama Queens,” wherein the trio rewatches “One Tree Hill,” since 2021.

However, Lenz is alluding to drama within the circle of seemingly close friends, ahead of the release of “Dinner for Vampires.”

Lenz is letting the world in on a previously closely held secret in her life; the actress was a cult member for a decade. Her memoir, released next Tuesday, is detailing this harrowing period and the additional decade it took for Lenz to recover.

The 43-year-old shared that she feels a range of emotions when thinking back on her time in a cult. She frankly revealed to PEOPLE how she sometimes felt sadness, and that she “wishes it didn’t happen.”

Reflecting on this essential period of Lenz’s personal growth has allowed her to come to many conclusions. Even though she feels some negativity on some days, the actress is adamant in revealing she sees it as a “blessing.”

“The further away I get from [being in a cult], the more of a blessing I see in it,” the “Savoring Paris” star said. “The more good things I see, the more good things I see walking through that.”

At this point in time, Lenz has been known as being a part of the trio of “One Tree Hill” gals for 20 years.

Fans of the WB/CW drama are likely familiar with the likely drama between Brooke, Peyton, and (rarely) Haley. Now, the ‘OTH’ fanbase is seemingly skeptical that the drama is allegedly translating into real life.

Lenz spoke to Alex Cooper on “Call Her Daddy” while promoting “Dinner for Vampires,” and the conversation turned to Burton, who, according to Us Weekly, reportedly no longer follows Lenz on Instagram.

“Eagle-eyed fans” caught the unfollow back in March after Burton allegedly posted a quote to her Instagram story reading, “I don’t think imitation is the highest form of flattery. I think it’s annoying.” fans of the duo had screen captured the quote, according to the publication.

The moment happened shortly after Lenz had initially announced her memoir in late February. Others think the disagreement may be due to the duo’s different political views, the publication added.

The new author continued to be honest about her experiences with Morgan and Bush. Her friendship with Bush reportedly wasn’t perfect during the show’s run, something she also touched on in her interview with Cooper.

The feelings within her friendship with the “John Tucker Must Die” actress were inspired by Lenz’s cult membership.

She recalled, “I think we were both approaching life from a similar way, but from opposite perspectives,” adding, “She would have been much more quick to listen to my perspective and hear me than I would have been at the time. But I think fundamentally there was probably a similarity.”

While Lenz did not disclose any reason why her relationship with Burton-Morgan may be strained, she did reveal she still has a lot of love for the “White Collar” actress.

“I love Hilarie,” Lenz told Cooper. “I have always and will always and I don’t have any problem with her.”

The actress goes further by saying, “There have been some bizarre misunderstandings that I really hope we can figure out one day, but I love that girl,” she revealed, per Us Weekly.

Lenz’s memoir “Dinner for Vampires” will be released on October 22nd.