From Party Life to Monastery: David Henrie's Turnaround

David Henrie, a former Disney star, joined a podcast hosted by Raymond Arroyo and talked about stepping away from the glitzy Hollywood lifestyle. He said growing up in a world of parties, materialism and constant noise left him feeling empty.

A friendship with actor Kevin James opened the door to a new experience when James invited him to St. Michael’s Abbey in Orange County in 2012. Henrie was asked to make a general confession, which sparked his curiosity about faith.

After the monastery visit he described feeling a deep relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. He used a bubble‑gum analogy to explain his past habits: each bite loses its flavor quickly, and after finishing the whole pack you end up feeling worse.

The encounter inspired him to produce a documentary series called Seeking Beauty that looks at art, architecture, food, music and culture across Italy. The first season debuted on a streaming service in January, and a second season set in Spain is currently in development.