Bethany Joy Lenz

Bethany Joy Lenz (formerly Galeotti; born April 2, 1981), also credited as Joie Lenz, is an American actress singer-songwriter and filmmaker, best known for her portrayal of Haley James Scott on The WB/CW television drama One Tree Hill. She has also starred as Michelle Bauer Santos on the CBS Daytime soap opera Guiding Light and is recognized for her music as a solo artist and as a member of the band Everly.

Bethany Joy Lenz was born on April 2, 1981, in Hollywood, Florida. Lenz is the only child of Robert George Lenz, a history teacher and therapist, and Catharine Malcolm Holt Shepard, a personnel manager and entrepreneur. She is of Australian (from her paternal side), Scottish, German and Irish descent. She actually has lineage that traces all the way back to the Scottish King Malcolm. Her grandfather, George Lenz, was a regular on the Broadway stage in the 1950s starring in musicals Wish You Were Here, South Pacific, and many others. Following in her grandfather's footsteps, Lenz began singing at the age of three at The Carpenter's Church in Lakeland, Florida. At the age of seven, Joy and her family moved to Arlington, Texas where she attended Pope Elementary. She was also enrolled in The Creative Arts Theater and School where she took dance, tap, jazz, acting and theater classes. At seven years old, Lenz landed her first stage role playing a Munchkin in a local production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Three years later, Lenz played Scout Finch in the production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Irving Community Theater in Texas.

Acting

While on a trip to Los Angeles, Lenz landed her first professional job in a commercial for dolls from the teen drama series, Swans Crossing. Lenz eventually went on to appear in additional commercials for Eggo Waffles, Dr Pepper and others. Lenz continued to find work steadily as an actress, and by her sophomore year in high school she landed the role of Linda Halleck in Stephen King's Thinner. She appeared in various pilots, commercials and films and performed regional theatre until she was eventually cast as a series regular on Guiding Light.

At the age of seventeen, Lenz earned a nine episode gig as the teenage clone of Reva Shayne on the CBS Daytime soap opera Guiding Light. Her stint earned her such favorable reviews from viewers, critics and Guiding Light executives alike that Lenz was eventually recast as Michelle Bauer Santos upon Rebecca Budig's exit - an unusual move that was "unheard of" in the industry according to CBS producer, Mickey Dwyer-Dobbin. In 1999 while working on the demanding daytime serial Guiding Light, she graduated from Eastern Christian High School in New Jersey and landed the role of Rose Cronin in Mary and Rhoda, a made-for-television movie that reunited Mary Tyler Moore and Valerie Harper as Mary Richards and Rhoda Morgenstern. At the time Lenz juggled a heavy storyline, a television movie portraying Mary Tyler Moore's daughter, a one-year run of a New York cabaret called Foxy Ladies Love/Boogie 70's Explosion, and the lead role in an independent film. Lenz also filmed two pilots: one playing the daughter of Paul Sorvino, and the other as the lead in the WB's 1972.

At the end of her two-year contract with The Guiding Light she seized the opportunity to leave her role as Michelle Bauer Santos and moved from New York City to Los Angeles to gain exposure in different avenues. Out west, Lenz was directed by Garry Marshall in "Happy Days: the Musical" (playing Pinky Tuscadero; musical directors Carole King and Paul Williams) and by Arthur Allan Seidleman in a staged reading of a musical version of The Outsiders. During this time Lenz also landed guest appearances on Off Centre, Charmed, Felicity, Maybe It's Me and The Guardian. In 2002 Lenz joined the cast of Bring It On Again as the co-captain of the varsity cheerleading squad, Marni Potts.

Lenz as Haley James Scott on One Tree Hill

At the age of twenty two Lenz was cast in the WB's television series One Tree Hill. Lenz originally auditioned for the roles of Brooke Davis and Haley James but ultimately landed the role of Haley James, the quintessential girl-next-door who is best friends with Lucas Scott, portrayed by Chad Michael Murray, and wife of Nathan Scott, portrayed by James Lafferty. During her time on One Tree Hill, Lenz was also offered the role of Belle in Beauty and the Beast when it was still in production on Broadway, but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts with the show. Furthermore, Lenz appeared in an episode of Life Unexpected alongside Kate Voegele as part of a crossover-event between One Tree Hill and Life Unexpected.

In the sixth season, Lenz made her directorial debut. Lenz initially approached producer Greg Prange in 2007 with the idea of directing but was not given the opportunity to direct until two years after her request. Over the course of season six Lenz shadowed several directors, watched them prep and went on [location] scouts. Lenz directed two additional episodes.

After eight seasons on air, One Tree Hill came back for thirteen episodes in its ninth and final season, famously sashaying around in thigh high boots to save her husband. On November 17, 2011, Lenz filmed her last scenes as the character Haley James Scott on One Tree Hill. The show ended on April 4, 2012.

In September 2012 it was confirmed that Lenz would be guest starring on an episode of Men at Work. She played the role of 'Meg' a single mother that the character, Tyler, begins to date. The episode aired on May 9, 2013. It is entitled "Tyler the Pioneer".

In March 2013 it was confirmed that Lenz would have a recurring role on Dexter. Her character 'Cassie' was described as "an attractive former finance executive looking for a quieter life." Lenz's character appeared in the fourth episode of the final season.

In late September 2013, Lenz landed the role Lauren Byrd on the pilot "Songbyrd" for E!. The show centered around Lauren, a genius songwriter who employs a small staff, including her sister, to enable and manage her eccentric, yet wildly successful process. Production for Songbyrd began in late January 2014 in New York City. The show was not picked up by E!.

In January 2015, Lenz and her friend Sid Mallya chose a movie to produce Bethany Joy Lenzon the website InkTip. The movie, entitled One Of These Days, is written by Phyllis Heltay. In an interview shortly after Lenz mentioned that the shooting is scheduled for May 2015. Moreover, in an interview in February 2015, she announced that she is currently writing two pilots dealing with the status of women during the 20's and 30's.

In spring 2015, Lenz was cast in the Shonda Rhimes drama, The Catch for ABC playing the role of Zoe. On May 18, 2015, Lenz revealed she was being replaced; she wrote, "Looks like they need a different type for ZOE, so I'll be replaced," though she still encourages fans to watch the show.

Early 2016, Lenz starred in her friend Kristin Fairweather's first short film, entitled Grace. She also appeared in March 2016 in two episodes of season 3 of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. In Summer 2016, she was cast in the new drama American Gothic as a character named April. Producer Corinne Brinkerhoff said about Lenz "We love her! She’s fantastic. She plays a witty, insightful nurse at a rehab facility".

Music

Since Lenz's exit from Guiding Light she has completed a demo of original music. Trained by the director of the Brooklyn College of Opera, Lenz plays the guitar and piano, and writes her own music. Her first album, entitled Preincarnate, was released in October 2002. Right then, she worked under the direction of director Garry Marshall and alongside musician Carole King on a new musical adapted from the series Happy Days. She also took the opportunity to work in a public reading of a musical version of the novel The Outsiders directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman.

Lenz in France at the 2012 OTH Convention

After that, she was cast as Haley on One Tree Hill where she continued to release new music. In 2005, after recording "When the Stars Go Blue" with costar Tyler Hilton, the duo joined The Wreckers (Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp), and Gavin DeGraw for a 25-city North American One Tree Hill Tour that started in Vancouver. Lenz and Hilton scored the #89 spot on February 2005's Billboard Pop 100 chart with the duet "When the Stars Go Blue." While on tour, Lenz debuted her second independent record entitled, Come On Home. Despite her hectic schedule during the tour, Lenz also filmed her first music video for "Songs in My Pockets" at Coney Island Beach and Astroland in Brooklyn, New York. In 2006, alongside ex-American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, Lenz co-wrote and recorded "Halo" which was released in the second volume of the One Tree Hill Soundtrack. During this time, Lenz inked a deal with Sony Epic Records and worked with her producer, Ron Aniello (Lifehouse, Guster, Barenaked Ladies) to record original material. In 2006 after changes within the company, Lenz split from the label. Despite the musical setback, that same year Lenz traveled to Los Angeles to write and record several songs for the soundtrack for Ten Inch Hero. Lenz's split with Epic allowed her to sign under the independent record label Hillasterion.

In 2008, Lenz took her music to new grounds and formed the band Everly with her lifelong friend, Amber Sweeney. Immediately after the duo was formed, Everly, musical act Angels & Airwaves, and Kate Voegele teamed up with the USO for a live concert event for military personnel. The USO concert was filmed and formed the basis for a One Tree Hill episode, titled Even Fairy Tale Characters Would Be Jealous.

In 2012, the Everly band split after four years of collaboration, the two artists preferring to focus on their solo careers. So, in November of the same year, Lenz joined fellow One Tree Hill co-star Michael Grubbs of the band Wakey!Wakey! and other singers at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City for the BTF Concerts: Rock The Schools 2012 concert. She performed new songs and two duets with Grubbs entitled "I Know" and "Irresistible". At the concert, she sold a 9-song CD entitled "Then Slowly Grows".

During an interview with Shine On Media in May 2013, Lenz stated she was meeting with long-time friend and music producer Jeff Cohen to record an album. On May 22, 2013, Lenz tweeted a picture of the recording studio. The caption read, "Recording new music in #Nashville with old pal Jeff Cohen! #LeavingTownAlive #CrazyGirls" On June 4, 2013, Lenz tweeted "Sneak peek at my new album..." and linked a video on WhoSay to a new song "Please".

During an interview with Mary Ann Albright in late July 2013, Lenz talked about her plans for her musical career. She plans on releasing her first full-length studio album in the near future with the title Your Woman as an independent release on her blog. Lenz went on to say, "The best way I can describe this album is Patsy Cline meets Paula Cole meets Sam Cooke."

On August 10, 2013, Lenz released "Please" on vibedeck and August 11 on iTunes as Bette, (as a feel on another musical name, that she didn't use more than once). The song was highly wanted from her fans after she performed it on Rock the Schools Concert in 2012. On July 18, 2014, Lenz released "Calamity Jane" on iTunes. The song was released as a teaser for Lenz's soon to be released album. Lenz stated: "While I'm reworking my album, here's a little teaser. This song will sound totally different on the new record, but I thought you'd enjoy hearing this version."On July 21, the song was on her WhoSay site and later on her SoundCloud site.

In November 2014, Lenz created a Kickstarter fundraising page for her new EP. Production on the EP began in early December. As well as supporting the new EP, fans were able to give back to the charity STOP THE TRAFFIK. The project, entitled "Get Back to Gold" was released (iTunes, Amazon.com) on December 23, 2014, and was just a sneak peek for her new album.

Due to legal proceedings with her producer, David Waechter, the project went down and Lenz decided to change her team. She is now known as "Joy Lenz and the Firepit Band" and has musicians and back up singers : WhiteRose (Danny Shyman) on guitar, Doo Crowder on vocals and guitar, Ben Zelico on drums and Meaghan Maples and Brittany Gilmore as back up singers. A tour is planned from May to July 2016.

The Notebook Musical

In 2005, after seeing Nick Cassavetes' film The Notebook and subsequently reading Nicholas Sparks' best selling novel of the same name, Bethany Joy Lenz found herself singing songs around her house based on the story's characters. After six weeks, she decided to finally put it down on paper. Lenz brought the idea to her producer Ron Aniello and they quicly decided to form Galeotti & Aniello Productions. On 7 December 2006, Bethany Joy Lenz reveals on her website bethanyjoylenz.com, that Ron Aniello and her, are writing a musicale but she can't tell anything more about the project. After finishing the libretto, Lenz passed it on to a friend close to the Sparks family who handed it off to the book's author. He loved it and she procured the rights to the musical.

The auditions took place on 1st, 2nt and 8 August 2009 at Thalian Hall. Paul Teal and Kendra Goehring-Garett were cast as lead roles Noah and Alli. On 23 August 2009, she says on her blog www.bethanyjoy.com that she's been doing rewrites for The Notebook Musical all day. On 28 August 2009, a cocktail party has been organized at the Tuscan Grill with the whole team and the whole cast.

They workshopped “The Notebook” musical in a small black box theater in October 2009 in front of Broadway producers and investors, and even Nicholas Sparks who came for the occasion. Joy reveled that all the feedback the duo received was positive. The producers all said the music was amazing and didn't require any modification, and everybody loved the dialogue, and they thought the story was well-crafted. On the playbill, she thanks some friends from One Tree Hill cast inscluding Paul Johansson, Allison Munn et Jana Kramer.

On 10 and 11 November 2009, a cocktail party has been once again organized at the Tuscan Grill with the whole team and the whole cast. On 10 and 11 February 2010, Lenz reveals on Facebook that she is recording songs with the other singers for the musical. On 6 March 2010, Lenz reveals that she is rewritting passages including some songs. In July 2010, the duo reveled on their website the list of the songs : "The Colors Play", "Carolina Moon", "Troublesome Tongue", "Sunday Train", "The Nightclub Swing!", "Think of Me (when you are gone)", "Psalm 148", "My Christmas With You", and "The Luckiest Girl". They were written by both Joy and Ron.

In November 2010 in response to Twitter followers successfully raising more than $2000 in one day for the charity Love146, Lenz released the song "Troublesome Tongue". The song features Noah's father and his friends explaining Noah's childhood stutter to new love Allie (Allie is played by Lenz in the recording). In December 2010, Paul Teal, who played Noah, released on YouTube the song "Sunday Train" from the demo score. On October 2011, Lenz reveals on her website www.bethanyjoy.com that she's attented the 15th Anniversary for The Notebook with Nicholas Sparks whose she has became a great friend. She's been eating with Ron Aniello and Paul Teal, and shares the video of "Sunday Train".

Lenz had until that point kept facts about the musical under wraps.

Jewelry

In July 2016, Lenz designed her own jewelry line in partnership with Stilnest. Lenz delayed the launch by one week following the attack in Nice, ultimately launching on July 23, 2016. The pieces feature a buffalo motif, which was inspired by a trip Lenz took to Fort Apache. Lenz donated ten percent of the profits to the Tanka Fund.

Lenz at the Nicholas Sparks Celebrity Family Weekend in 2012

Lenz married former Enation keyboardist, Michael Galeotti, on December 31, 2005.

On February 23, 2011, Lenz gave birth to a daughter, Maria Rose Galeotti.

In March 2012, Lenz announced that she would be divorcing her husband after six years of marriage. She wrote: "You'll all be wondering soon why everyone is calling me 'Bethany Joy Lenz' again. I'm sorry to say that Michael and I have decided to divorce. We remain friendly and dedicated to raising our beautiful girl in love and we appreciate your prayers and support during this difficult time." She and her daughter reside in Los Angeles, California.

Philanthropy

Introduced to Love146 by former Everly bandmate, Amber Sweeney, Lenz has been actively supporting the international human rights organization largely through social media outlets. On June 12, 2011, Lenz revealed details of her newest project; an online boutique called "Lark", selling apparel with original designs by Lenz and all proceeds benefit Love146, To Write Love On Her Arms, as well as Reading is Fundamental.

Film

Television

Self appearances

Director

Producer

The following is a list of albums and songs by Bethany Joy Lenz that has been recorded.

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

Miscellaneous songs

• "215"
• "February Leather"
• "Cameron"
• "I'll Never Walk Alone"
• "The Loneliness is Better Near Now" Was released on her old music site back in 2005, April 13
• "One More Thing" Released by Bethany herself | Where? When? Produced by Ron Thaler, Recorded in New York City 2002
• "Ophelia" Released on September 14, 2005, as she was stuck inside waiting out hurricane Ophelia
• "Troublesome Tongue" An exclusive track from "The Notebook" Musical | Released November 5, 2010, on mymusicstream, by Bethany herself as a thank you reward to her fans for supporting the organization 'Love 146' which raises awareness on child sex trafficking
• "Street Where You Live" Originally From: 1956 Broadway Musical "My Fair Lady" | An Easter treat for her fans on her blog - April 24, 2011
• "It Happens" Released on August 5, 2011 | Video Karaoke of Sugarland's "It Happens" for HelloGiggles
• "It's Magic" Released on September 29, 2011, on SoundCloud
• "Someone to Watch Over Me" Released on April 8, 2012, on WhoSay | Video Karaoke for her Novel, Diamond Gothic
• "Lullaby" Released on June 21, 2012, on WhoSay | "Just a little lullaby for the night drifters"