One Tree Hill’s Bethany Joy Lenz faces backlash over cult allegations

Former One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz recently made startling allegations regarding her past, accusing her ex-husband’s family of being part of a cult. She claims they manipulated her and drained her finances during her time on the popular CW show.

In response to these claims, her former father-in-law, Mike Galeotti, denied the allegations, calling them “heartbreaking.” He rejected the claims that his family was involved in any cult-like behavior and believes the accusations are part of a promotional strategy for Lenz’s upcoming memoir, Dinner For Vampire.

Lenz has referred to her time entangled with the Wild Branch Ministries, a religious group she says lived “commune-style” in a mansion known as “The Big House” in Battle Ground, Washington. According to Lenz, the group, led by Galeotti’s father, controlled her career and finances for over a decade. Mike Galeotti, however, vehemently disputes these claims. He finds it disheartening that Lenz would make such statements, describing them as a fabrication intended to stir attention for her memoir, which delves deeper into the alleged cult’s control over her life.

Mike Galeotti added that his family has always been supportive of Bethany Joy Lenz and her career, and he expressed concern over the impact these allegations may have on their relationships. He emphasized that the portrayal of his family in Lenz’s upcoming memoir does not reflect reality, insisting that their dynamic was far from what she described. Galeotti hopes the public will approach the claims with caution, considering the context of the book’s release.