Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While also in an Actual Cult!)

Joy met with her agent in Los Angeles to discuss the script for a teen drama called Ravens. Her agent encouraged her to audition, but Joy was reluctant. Soon after, she shot a pilot for a superhero show that did not get picked up. She was discouraged and turned to the Family for support.

Her friend Camille had been attending Bible study less and less. One day at lunch, Camille told her that Pam had had an odd conversation with Camille’s mother at one of Abe Van Hewitt’s band’s shows. When Camille’s mother asked Pam about the leader of the group, Pam’s response was hostile. Joy defended the group to Camille and said spiritual family sometimes knows more than “bio-family.” Camille told Joy she was going to stop going to Bible study. They wouldn’t see each other again for two years.

Joy’s agent called to tell her that the show Ravens, which had been retitled One Tree Hill, was specifically asking for her to audition. Joy agreed to it. The first audition went well and she was called in for a screen test and chemistry read to see how well she clicked with the show’s lead, actor Chad Michael Murray. Joy was inspired by the depth of the characters and the show’s uplifting message.