Bethany Joy Lenz, known for her iconic role as Haley James on the teen drama One Tree Hill, is stepping out of her comfort zone once again. Although she is currently in the romantic city of Paris, filming for her new Hallmark Movie, her mind keeps drifting back to the fictional town of Tree Hill, North Carolina. Lenz shared how her new role in the movie took her back to her breakout character, Haley, whom she portrayed for nine seasons on The WB and CW.
In her latest project, Savoring Paris, Lenz plays the character of Ella, a disillusioned individual on a soul-searching journey in the city of love. Through her portrayal of Ella, Lenz explores a different side of herself, one that is unfamiliar yet exciting. Ella’s character is portrayed as someone who is always sacrificing her own space for others, a stark contrast to the confident and bold roles Lenz is accustomed to playing.
Lenz admits that taking on the role of Ella allowed her to step outside of her comfort zone. She embraced the vulnerability of the character, something she hadn’t explored since her early 20s. The opportunity to portray a character who is emotionally reserved and sits on the sidelines was a refreshing change for Lenz, who is often cast in tough-girl roles. This shift challenged her to tap into a different aspect of her acting abilities.
Apart from her acting endeavors, Lenz is also gearing up to release her memoir, Dinner for Vampires, which delves into her experience in a cult and her journey to break free. The book is set to be released on October 22, adding another layer to Lenz’s already multi-faceted career. Additionally, she co-hosts the Drama Queens podcast with her One Tree Hill co-stars Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton-Morgan, reminiscing about the show that brought them together more than a decade ago.
Bethany Joy Lenz’s decision to step outside of her comfort zone and explore new territory in her acting career is a testament to her versatility and willingness to take on challenges. Through her portrayal of Ella in Savoring Paris and her upcoming memoir release, Lenz continues to push boundaries and evolve as an artist.