'13 Going on 30' Actress Says She Escaped a 'Cult' After Dating Its 'Leader'

The former child star stunned fans with a bombshell social media confession last month—revealing how she was lured into a toxic romance with a "charismatic" cult leader who turned her world upside down.

She was the fresh-faced child actress who charmed millions in "13 Going on 30." But now, at 33, Christa B. Allen is speaking out about a chilling chapter of her life — revealing in a bombshell confession that she escaped a dangerous relationship with a so-called "charismatic wealthy cult leader" who, in her words, "burned it to the ground."

In a series of since-deleted TikTok videos, the actress—best known as the younger version of Jennifer Garner's Jenna Rink in the 2004 cult classic—described how she was seduced by promises of luxury, love, and spirituality, only to have her world collapse around her.

Her shocking admission has left fans stunned, with many praising her bravery in telling her story.

'Burned It to the Ground'

The confession came in a TikTok video Allen later deleted. Set to Chappelle Roan's haunting track "The Subway," it showed Allen frolicking in cowboy boots and a champagne-colored skirt outside a mansion. But it was her words, emblazoned across the screen, that captured global attention:

"How it feels rebuilding your life after being in love with a charismatic wealthy cult leader who burned it to the ground."

In her caption, she laid bare the painful truth. "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 wrote. She continued, grappling with the painful questions that still haunt her:

"So I've sat with the hardest questions: Why did I trust him? Why did I hand over my power? Why did I silence my own inner knowing? The truth is, he was selling fairytales and from luxurious penthouses and private jets, I foolishly bought in."

A Shattering Realization

Allen admitted that spending "every waking moment" with someone does not mean you truly know them. "That realization shattered me, but it also forced me to rebuild from the ground up," she confessed. "And fire is also cleansing."

In subsequent TikTok posts, Allen refrained from naming the man but accused him of "lying and manipulating" her. She revealed they met through social media over a shared interest in spirituality — and, in a whirlwind move, began living together just three days after meeting. Allen admitted it was "not a great idea in hindsight."

Extracurriculars and Exploitation

The former child star went further, claiming her ex-lover was engaged in several extracurriculars with numerous individuals — particularly famous women — putting their health at significant risk. In another deleted video dated August 19, she laid out the devastating impact of his betrayal.

"When the 'spiritual' guy you were dating forced you to quit your job because he promised to take care of you... then left you with zero income while cheating and sleeping around with countless women while lying about it all…" she wrote over the clip.

Despite the heartbreak, Allen ended on a note of resilience, "But then you remember — he knows the laws of the universe, and the universe don't miss." Today, she insists she is doing quite well and focusing on rebuilding her life.

Back to LA, Back to Herself

Earlier this year, Allen revealed she had returned to Los Angeles after three years in Miami, symbolizing a fresh start. She hasn't been in a public relationship since 2022, when she was briefly linked to rapper The Game—a rumor he swiftly denied.

Her last high-profile romance aside, Allen has largely kept her private life under wraps.

Forever Jenna Rink

No matter how many personal storms she has weathered, Allen's identity remains forever tied to the role that made her a household name—13-year-old Jenna Rink in the beloved rom-com "13 Going on 30." In a 2021 essay for Allure, she reflected on how deeply the film has shaped her:

"I received my first paycheck at the age of eight. At 11, I shot my first feature film, but it was playing 13-year-old Jenna Rink in 13 Going on 30 that played such a dominant role in my actual life. I could have never predicted how she would come to follow me forever."

She continued, "Because of that role, I have such a personal connection with anyone who was touched by the film. I feel invisibly bound to people turning 13, 30, and everyone in between."

"As I approach 30, I have a better understanding of some things, specifically how the world works, how I fit into it, and how I try not to attach too much meaning to the way others see me, but rather how I see myself."

"I am closer to mastering my own emotions every day," she added, emphasizing the importance of protecting her inner child and preserving her childlike wonder.

Life Beyond the Screen

While still acting, Allen has also turned to music. She formed the duo Pour Vous with songwriter-producer Johnny What in 2018, releasing their debut single "Scorpio" that same year.

But it is her recent revelations of survival and strength — escaping manipulation, betrayal, and an alleged cult-like figure — that have thrust her back into the spotlight.