Bethany Joy Galeotti Biography

Summary

"Bethany Joy Galeotti" (born "Bethany Joy Lenz"; April 2, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, director, producer and actress.

As a teenager, she honed her vocal skills by training with the director of The Brooklyn College of Opera and not only plays both the guitar and piano but writes her own music as well. As a singer she has released two independent albums titled "Preincarnate" and "Come On Home" and is best known for her chart topping duet "When the Stars Go Blue" and video release of "Songs in My Pockets". Deemed a triple-threat, Galeotti now boasts stage credits that include collaborating with Garry Marshall and Carole King on a new musical, as well as working with director Arthur Allan Seidelman on a production of "The Outsiders".

As an actress, she is best known for her roles as Michelle Bauer Santos on "Guiding Light" (from 1998 to 2000) and as Haley James Scott on "One Tree Hill" (since 2003).

Early life

Bethany Joy Galeotti (formerly Joy Lenz and sometimes using the stage name "Joie Lenz") was born on 2 April 1981 in Hollywood, Florida. Galeotti is an only child to her father, Robert Lenz, a history teacher and therapist, and mother, Cathie, a personnel manager and entrepreneur.

Galeotti's first solo singing performance was at the age of three in front of a crowd of three thousand people at the The Carpenter's Church in Lakeland, Florida. At the age of four, Galeotti and her family moved to Arlington, Texas. While attending Pope Elementary she was bitten by the acting bug. Immediately after, she performed a twenty minute soliloquy part in High HopeS and Heavy Sweatshirts. This was performed in a very intimate setting in a Dallas museum. She then landed her first stage role at age seven, playing a Munchkin in a local production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Three years later, she played Scout in the production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" at the Irving Community Theater in Texas.

Career

During a trip to Los Angeles with her drama school she landed her first professional job in a commercial for Swan Crossing, a teen series. Subsequently Galeotti performed in plays such as Annie, Cinderella and Gypsy: A Musical Fable.

When she was thirteen Galeotti moved with her family to New Jersey and attended the Hawthorne Christian Academy for a year. She immediately began auditioning and became a commercial veteran, appearing in commercials for Eggo Waffles and Dr Pepper. It was at this time that she still going by the name Joy Lenz changed it to Joie Lenz, which was used as her stage name. 'Joie' is 'Joy' spelled in French with an English pronunciation. At age fifteen during her sophomore year in high school, Galeotti appeared in her first film, Stephen King's "Thinner". Her performance was well-noted in reviews particularly in the Associated Press: 'One of the highlights of the film was a joy - Joy Lenz.'

By March 1998 at seventeen Galeotti earned a nine episode gig in CBS's soap opera Guiding Light where she first appeared as the teenage clone of Reva Shayne. Galeotti made such an impression on viewers, critics and Guiding Light executives alike that she was later recast as Michelle Bauer Santos upon Rebecca Budig's exit. This was an unusual move and 'unheard of' in the industry according to CBS producer Mickey Dwyer-Dobbin. Lenz and Stewart as Michelle and Danny.In November 1998, Galeotti began acting in one of her most popular roles to date, as Michelle Bauer Santos. While working on the demanding daytime serial Guiding Light, she graduated from Eastern Christian High School in New Jersey in 1999 and landed the role of Rose Cronin in Mary and Rhoda. She also appeared in the off-Broadway musical Foxy Ladies Love/Boogie 70's Explosion.

At the time she was juggling a heavy storyline, a television movie, portraying Mary Tyler Moore's daughter, a one-year run of a New York cabaret and the lead in an independent film. "Mary and Rhoda", a 2000 made-for-television movie that reunited Mary Tyler Moore and Valerie Harper as Mary Richards and Rhoda Morgenstern respectively from the classic 1970-1977 sitcom "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" attracted 17.8 million viewers, beating out its main competition, CBS's "Everybody Loves Raymond". Galeotti was later cast as the lead in a much-anticipated WB pilot which unfortunately never went into production. She also filmed two other pilots: one playing the daughter of Paul Sorvino, and one as the lead in the WB's 1972.

In October 2000 at the end of her two year contract with "The Guiding Light", Galeotti chose to leave her popular role. She then took a co-starring role in the independent film "The End Of August", after which she moved from New York City to Los Angeles where she performed in a theater production of The Outsiders, and began guest-role on television shows such as Off-Centre, Charmed, Felicity, Maybe It's Me and The Guardian.

In 2002 Galeotti joined the cast of Bring It On Again where she turned in an unforgettable performance as Marni Potts. During this time, Galeotti was also featured in Interview Magazine's 'Stars On The Rise' in January.

One Tree Hill

In 2003 at age 22, Galeotti was cast in the WB's television series "One Tree Hill" as Haley James, the quintessential girl-next-door, who is best friends with Lucas Scott, portrayed by Chad Michael Murray, and Nathan Scott's wife, portrayed by James Lafferty. Upon entering the role of Haley James, Galeotti replaced actress Samantha Shelton's character, Reagan. At this time in which she was cast as Haley James Galeotti once again used her original name Bethany Joy Lenz.

Music

Galeotti has proven herself not only as a talented actress, but as a musician and a singer. She has a four-octave range, and since her exit from Guilding Light has completed a demo of original music and continues to write screenplays. Galeotti has recorded two independent records to date. Her first album, entitled Preincarnate, was released in October 2002.

Bethany Joy Galeotti and costar Tyler Hilton joined The Wreckers (Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp) for a 25-city North American One Tree Hill tour that started February 28 in Vancouver. The jaunt also featured Gavin DeGraw on select dates. While on tour Galeotti performed original songs from her second independent record. Her second album, Come On Home was sold at the concert venues. During her time off tour Galeotti filmed a video for her song Songs in My Pockets, at Coney Island Beach and Astroland in Brooklyn, New York.Galeotti and Hilton also scored the #89 spot on February 2005's Billboard Pop 100 chart with the duet 'When the Stars Go Blue.' In addition to the One Tree Hill tour, Galeotti also performs her own rendition of the National Anthem at various charity events, including James Lafferty's Annual Basketball Games.

Galeotti as Haley James Scott performing at Tric. (episode 3.15).

In 2006, under the name Haley James Scott, Galeotti recorded the well-known song 'Halo, which was released in the second volume of the One Tree Hill Soundtrack.

The song was composed by new American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi. During this time, Galeotti was working alongside her producer Ron Aniello (Lifehouse, Guster, Barenaked Ladies) Galeotti recorded original material for an album with Epic Records. Due to changes within Epic Records, Galeotti is no longer affiliated with them. Consequently, Galeotti collaborated with Garry Marshall and Carole King on a new musical as well as working with director Arthur Allan Seidelman on a production of The Outsiders. In 2006, she wrote and recorded several songs for the soundtrack for Ten Inch Hero.

Galeotti has recently collaborated with Enation for a newly recorded version of the song Feel This. Bethany Joy Galeotti sings the lead vocals while Enation plays the music behind her on the finale of the 5th season of One Tree Hill on CW. The airing led to an excited response, helping make Feel This the #1 Top Seller on CD Baby, one of the largest independent music outlets in the world. Feel This is also included in the two song single album that is available on iTunes for downloads. Galeotti made her debut as director of a February episode of One Tree Hill this season.

In the October 20th episode of One Tree Hill entitled 'Messin' With The Kid', Galeotti's character Haley James Scott encounters a street performer played by Grace Potter. Ambitious to reestablish her music career Haley decides to sing with Potter's character in the riverfront. In the ending montage of scenes, Galeotti and Potter's characters perform the hit single I Want Something That I Want.

Bethany Joy Galeotti and musical acts Angels & Airwaves and occasional "One Tree Hill" guest star Kate Voegele teamed up with the USO for a live concert event for military personnel. The event also included Galeotti's husband's band Enation, and music partner Amber Sweeney who accompanied Galeotti on stage to perform Galeotti's hit single "Feel This" and song entitled "The Sweetest Thing". The duo also performed their single written for troops, "Home Is Me - You Are Mine". The USO concert was filmed and formed the basis for a "One Tree Hill episode originally aired on November 10th, 2008. In the episode titled "Even Fairy Tale Characters Would Be Jealous" Galeotti's character Haley James Scott's friend Peyton Sawyer produces a massive USO concert at the military base where her brother is stationed.

Notably, Galeotti as character Haley James Scott, sings songs featured in Everly's EP in the episode titled "We Three (My Echo, My Shadow and Me)". In this very special episode Chad Michael Murray penned a homage to the classic films of the 1940s. Karen's Café is transformed into a glamorous nightclub with Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) as its proprietor and Haley as the cabaret singer.

Consequently, Galeotti made her directorial debut in episode 6.16 of "One Tree Hill", entitled "Screenwriter's Blues". Galeotti initially approached producer Greg Prange with the idea of directing but was not give the opportunity to direct until two years after her request. Over the course of season six, Galeotti shadowed several directors, watched them prep, went on location scouts and paid closer attention to the directing aspect of the show. Galeotti stepped behind the camera to call all the shots as Lucas finally got the opportunity to cast his movie.

Galeotti's

Bethany Joy Galeotti has recently teamed with her husband, Enation band member Michael Galeotti, and in-laws to open "Galeotti's". The Galeotti family has lived in Battle Ground, WA for over ten years and was highly enthusiastic to bring their vision of an excellent restaurant with a cozy feel of family. Bethany Joy Galeotti is the head owner of the new restaurant which occupies the space in downtown Battle Ground that formerly housed Irby's Fine Dining at 801 E. Main st. The restaurant focuses on healthful, organic, locally sourced foods, and uses eco-friendly materials and supplies whenever possible. Although Galeotti spends much of the year across the country filiming One Tree Hill, she plans to help out at the restaurant whenever possible from time to time. The restaurant's official opening is July 24th 2009.

The Notebook musical

In an exclusive interview with "TV Guide", Galeotti released information about her upcoming musical set for Broadway.

On July 19, 2009, Galeotti and producer Ron Aniello launched their official website dedicated to the musical. Galeotti and Aniello are a new composing team with the distinct honor of presenting the first-ever Live Theatrical Workshop of a new musical based on Nicholas Sparks' 'The Notebook'. This is a preliminary step toward an eventual opening in New York . This workshop will be 'on its feet' with basic sets, costumes and choreography. All actors will be expected to be off-book for performance. The workshop is intended to assist the creative team in visualizing, editing and critiquing the play as well as to garner Producer interest and investors. There is no pay, but this is a great opportunity to be a part of the beginning stages of an original theatre piece headed for Broadway.

Though Galeotti has, until now, kept facts regarding her musical under wraps, she has stated that she is likely to produce and direct the musical but despite her extensive acting background does not plan to act in it.

Personal life

On December 31, 2005, Bethany Joy Lenz married Enation band member Michael Galeotti. For the fifth season finale of "One Tree Hill", Michael Galeotti, the keyboardist of Enation, joined his wife to record a new version of "Feel This". His group Enation was also invited to perform alongside his wife in a massive USO concert at a military base. Their performance, later aired in an episode entitled "Even Fairy Tale Characters Would Be Jealous". When Galeotti is not filming One Tree Hill in Wilmington, North Carolina, she lives with Michael Galeotti in Battle Ground, Washington.

On November 5, 2008, Galeotti and close friend, Amber Sweeney began a group named Everly located in Battle Ground, Washington. Together the duo released Mission Bell an EP consisting of three songs entitled, "Home Is You - You Are Mine", "Stars" and "Little Children". Everly released a statement describing their group to be a: birthed of a friendship and a sisterhood that's been many years in the making, and we are proud to present this short collection of music as a 'teaser' for what is to come.

Galeotti loves photography, painting, cooking, and horseback riding. She has aspirations of attending college, acquiring more film roles, Broadway roles, and training at London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Galeotti was 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.

On 2nd September, Galeotti announced that she and husband Michael Galeotti were expecting their first child.

Critical acclaim

"Soap Opera Weekly", "TV Guide", "Variety", "New York Daily News", "Entertainment Today", have all praised and given rave reviews to Galeotti for her various performances both on television and on stage.

Latest Recast: What a difference a new actress can make! Joie Lenz (Michelle) has given new life to a once boring character. Since joining the show last year, she has enjoyed instant chemistry with all her co-stars, especially newcomer Paul Anthony Stewart (Danny). She's a big star in the making. - Soap Opera Update, March 16 1999

Joie Lenz, you are the master. Years from now film scholars will look upon your role of Marni in "Bring It On Again" and see a star born. Playing the # 2 Evil Girl henchwoman role, you shine in this dopey cheerleader sequel to Bring it On.' - Kevin Hanna, Entertainment Today, January 13 2004

Lenz, 23 -- whose character, Haley James Scott, left her husband to tour with The Wreckers -- was the concert's truest actor, but seemed the most real: At one point she asked the crowd for a hair tie to hold back her mane when she switched from guitar to piano. The audience, unprompted, even sang with her on Billy Joel's "Movin' Out", a contrast to later, when Branch and Harp asked them to sing on their "The Good Kind" and got a tepid response. Lenz sang five songs in a 19-minute set, her voice rich like Sarah McLachlan or with a hint of Joni Mitchell as she played guitar on "Crazy Girls". - John J. Moser, Pennsylvania Morning Call, April 2 2005

The moment I heard Bethany sing I knew she was the real thing. I was blown away by her vocal range and musical ability. We're all really excited to work with Bethany and I have no doubt she'll prove to the world what an amazing talent she is. - Ben Goldman, Sr. VP of Epic Records A & R.