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Bethany Joy Lenz Gets the Royal Treatment in Her Latest Role
Though she’s only starred in one of Hallmark’s many royal-themed movies, 2018’s “Royal Matchmaker,” actress Bethany Joy Lenz had no problem stepping into her new role as Queen Azalea on her 44th birthday — April 2, 2025.
Lenz, who lived for a decade in Wilmington, North Carolina, as she starred on the coming-of-age drama “One Tree Hill,” has returned to the city to serve as its 78th Azalea Festival queen, according to the Wilmington StarNews. Fellow Hallmark star Sharon Lawrence preceded Lenz, serving in 2024 as Queen Azalea, a role both women have taken quite seriously while parading around town in their tiaras.
Bethany Joy Lenz Says Being Queen Azalea is Fulfilling a Childhood Dream
Lenz shared photos on Instagram from her coronation, during which she looked radiant in a soft pink gown as city officials crowned her Queen Azalea, chosen to reign over the spring festival, which represents “community, shared experiences, legacies, and hard work,” she told the StarNews.
The outlet said her duties during the five-day festival include riding in the Azalea Festival Parade and attending most festival events. Her Instagram Stories have shown glimpses from her week, including her posing for photos, greeting schoolkids, memorializing her hands in a cement square, and attending a Garden Party — always dressed impeccably and wearing her crown.
“This was a special little smile from God, fulfilling the dream of five-year-old me, who someday wanted to be the Queen,” Lenz wrote in her Instagram caption after her coronation. “I never imagined it would be in a place that I consider to be a hometown, with people who watched me and helped me grow up 💛 I love you, Wilmington.”
During the years Lenz spent filming in Wilmington, she was also unknowingly part of a cult that she eventually escaped and has written about in her bestselling 2024 memoir, “Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While also in an Actual Cult!).”
In February, when Lenz first told her online fans that she’d been selected for the honor, she said North Carolina holds a special place in her heart not only because of the time she spent in Wilmington, but also because of the weeks she spent filming 2023’s “A Biltmore Christmas” in Asheville.
Sharon Lawrence Has Sweetly Cheered on Bethany Joy Lenz as Her Successor
Lawrence, who was in Hallmark’s “The Christmas House” movies and played Lenz’s mom in Lifetime’s 2018 movie “Poinsettias for Christmas,” has been thrilled to see the actress follow in her footsteps as Queen Azalea.
She shared a collection of videos from Lenz’s coronation, seen above, including footage taken by Hallmark alum Laura Osnes, who’s been with Lenz in Wilmington for the festival.
In the caption, Lawrence wrote, “And HERE SHE IS! The @ncazaleafest 78th #azaleaqueen – sweet #QueenJoy! The crown and Queens court are a perfect fit perfect for @msbethanyjoylenz , as I knew it would be💗”
Meanwhile, in the comment section of Lenz’s post, Lawrence wrote a sweet poem that said, “The stars align as you continue to shine-now a Queen at the height of her power. Your heart-centered reign serves the festival’s fame like a bloom of a beautiful flower 🌺. Hey #78, congratulations on the role of a lifetime -one I’m so honored we’ve shared 🩷 Love ya kid, #77😉”
Lenz replied, “I love you Sharon!! 💞💞💞💞💞”
The Azalea Festival, including Lenz’s duties as Queen, runs through April 6.
