Christa B. Allen Opens Up About Leaving Cult Following High-Profile Romance

Christa B. Allen, best known for her breakout role as the young Jenna Rink in 13 Going on 30, revealed today that she left a cult after ending a romantic relationship with its charismatic leader. The 33-year-old actress shared her experience in a TikTok video posted on September 1, 2025.

In the clip, Allen is seen twirling on a verdant lawn to Chappell Roan’s “Subway” as the lyrics “She got away” play over the footage. Superimposed text reads, “How it feels rebuilding your life after being in love with a charismatic wealthy cult leader who burned it to the ground.” In the accompanying caption, she wrote, “Let me be very clear: nobody can burn down your life unless you give them access to it. That’s the part I’ve had to own.”

Allen reflected on the questions she has asked herself since breaking away: why she trusted her ex, why she surrendered her power, and why she silenced her own intuition. “The truth is, he was selling fairytales-and from luxurious penthouses and private jets, I foolishly bought in,” she admitted. She explained that even sharing every waking moment with someone-studying, eating, traveling, working, building, dreaming-does not guarantee truly knowing them, especially when they lie effortlessly.

Though still processing the aftermath, Allen said the realization that she had been deceived “shattered” her, but also forced her to rebuild from the ground up. “Fire is also cleansing,” she noted, promising that one day she will tell the full story. For now, she is “walking forward with feet on solid ground and a heart that knows its strength.”