Actor David Henrie says he “lost everyone” in his inner circle after becoming a Christian in Hollywood but later made new friends who helped build up his faith in Christ. The 37-year-old Henrie, who rose to fame as a teen star in "Wizards of Waverly Place," appeared on an episode of “The Bryce Crawford Podcast” that aired Monday and appears to have been recorded last month.
The conversation refers to actress Hayden Panettiere’s death as having happened “last night.” Panettiere died Aug. 16. Henrie shared his experience as an outspoken Christian in Hollywood and what led him to embrace Christianity over a decade ago in his 20s. He said his newfound faith affected his career, including the loss of his agents and his decision to turn down roles that would “disrespect” his new beliefs.
"I kind of was stripped of everyone, everyone […] that I would call a friend," he said.
"I lost everyone." But his faith journey also brought new friends into his life, guys he "respected" who "were building me up in Christ.” He said friends are like elevators; they can bring a person "up or down." “[They] gave me great books to read and helped form me in my faith and led to meeting my wife, my best friend,” he said.
Though Henrie lost some longtime friends shortly after coming to Christ, he expressed gratitude that “Some of those people who have left have now come back into the picture” after “they’ve gotten older” and “changed the way that they think.” He said that in some cases, people who cut him off because of his faith later texted him to say, “I went to church this Sunday.”