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.

Early life and education

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.