Cults. You've heard of them, but you've likely never met anybody that was a part of one. But did you know that there are actually many celebrities who have gotten caught up in them? Whether they were brought up in them or joined them willingly, some celebrities choose to stay while others choose to defect. Most of them are known to be bad, but as you'll find out, some people actually appreciated their time within their respective cults. Read on to find out more.
Andrew Keegan
Andrew Keegan, who played the male model Joey Donner in the cult classic "10 Things I Hate About You" seems to be in more than just one "cult" classic. He is the co-founder of the California spiritual community Full Circle where he "passionately seeks to inspire and empower the community to co-create a better world" and where all members are considered "enlightened". Sounds pretty shady if you ask us.
Keegan, who holds the title of "guru" promotes organic experiences through the use of meditation, spooning, hand-holding, crystals, and something called "soul medicine". We hope nothing weird is happening with this so-called advanced spiritualism.
Tom Cruise
Having joined the Church of Scientology in 1990, Tom Cruise has raised himself to become one of the highest profiled members, and an outspoken one at that, of the church. He claims that Scientology has helped him overcome his dyslexia, though whether that means he got some regular therapy or some advanced spiritual one is yet to be known. He has mentioned his love for the Church numerous times.
Scientology was originally created by science fiction writer L Ron Hubbard in 1953, and it advocates immortality through the belief in reincarnation. As nice as that sounds, we can't believe any of this to be true.
John Travolta
Tom Cruise isn't the only celebrity on this list who is in the Church of Scientology and John Travolta certainly won't be the last. There was a whole documentary (HBO's "Going Clear) that explained how John Travolta happened upon Scientology and got involved with the church in the 1970s. He actually credits a lot of his fame and success to Scientology as it helped him improve his confidence.
So far it has been said to help fix dyslexia and help improve confidence leading to fame and fortune. As promising as this sounds, we can't help but to think of it more as self-help rather than a direct symptom of joining the church.
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Pheonix, as well as the rest of his family, are a part of the Children of God and have been since the 1970s. He and his family even traveled around South America with the group, which, in all honesty, sounds like a good time. However, this cult encourages sex amongst its members by promoting "free love" which might not be something that appeals to everyone.
Still, Joaquin Phoenix has attributed his inspiration for his performance as Freddie Quell in "The Master" with this cult. If it works for him, it works for him.
Glenn Close
Glen Rose no longer associates with this cult, but from the ages of 7 to 22 she was a part of the cult called Moral Re-Armament. It originally began as an anti-war movement, but this is now about establishing lasting peace. It was created in 1938 after it was developed by American minister Frank Buchman's Oxford Group. It is no longer called Moral Re-Armament having changed its name in 2001 to Initiatives of Change.
IoC promoted the four absolutes, which are absolute honesty, absolute purity, absolute unselfishness, and absolute love. Rose was quoted as saying about the group "You basically weren't allowed to do anything," which probably explains why she left.
Michelle Pfeiffer
While living in LA in her early 20s, Michell Pfeiffer became involved with the cult Bretharian whose beliefs include the non-necessity of food and water and that a person is capable of living on only sunshine. We're not biologists but we don't need to be one to tell you that the human body is not capable of photosynthesis and thus cannot only live on sunshine. Sorry to disappoint.
She is no longer a member today, as she found out after doing research on cults that she herself was living in one. We also wouldn't be shocked if her everlasting hunger and thirst made her quit.
David Arquette
David Arquette lived in Virginia's Skymont Subud Commune, a cult that can trace its roots back to Indonesia in the 1920s. The cult believes that they can enable members to "become more truly who they were destined to be" by following a form of worship known as Latihan. They neither identify as a cult, nor a religion or religious sect, but rather as a "spiritual movement".
Unfortunately for David, it wasn't the cult that did him wrong. While living in the commune, David was a victim of violent physical abuse from his parents.
Patricia Arquette
But it wasn't just David who was a part of the cult. His sister Patricia also grew up with him in the commune. But as she told Oprah, "David was born there," implying that she was not. In fact, it turns out that the cult in Virginia was started by their parents. She also told Oprah that "They started it with a bunch of their friends, and they wanted to kind of build this utopian society".
However, it was anything but a utopian society. While there, they had no bathrooms, electricity, nor running water. It was truly one of the worst places they could be.
Rose McGowen
Rose McGowen was also a member of The Children of God. She and her family belonged to a chapter in Italy, where her father was one of the heads. Despite being a member, however, she disagreed from a very young age with the way that women were treated there saying that they were basically treated as sex slaves. We agree that that doesn't sound pleasing in the slightest.
It seems that even though they promote a sense of "sexual freedom" what they really mean is to enable the ability of men to have sex with whomever they want whenever they want.
Winona Ryder
When she was young, Winona Ryder lived with her family on a 300-acre plot of land in California known as the Rainbow Commune. Despite definitely being a cult, it's probably one of the tamest forms of a cult you'll ever know. Ryder looked back on with fond regard. The cult has no electricity and instead tries to live off the land to support and sustain themselves.
As far as cults go, this one actually seems like it could do good for the environment. As long as they don't do anything too crazy, we could get on the bandwagon with this one.
Emily Schromm
MTV's Real "World: D.C." star Emily Schromm lived in Montana as a part of the Fundamentalist Christian cult. The cult arose in the early 19th century as a reaction to theological modernism. They believe that there are a bunch of important ways in which a person should separate themselves from the modern world, notably from people who don't agree with their own views.
Emily obviously was able to break away from that part of her life, as she ended up on a reality show. She came out about her experiences with the group during her season of the show.
Angel Haze
Before fleeing the cult at the age of 16, rapper and singer Angel Haze was raised and lived with a commune of the Greater Apostolic Faith, a denomination of Pentecostal Christianity. She described her experience as not being able to listen to certain kinds of music, eat some types of foods, wear jewelry, or even speak with people who live outside of the community.
Now that she's gotten away from all that and is making a name for herself, she feels a lot freer. And who wouldn't when the restrictions placed upon you are that strict?
Christopher Owens
Christopher Owens is yet another celeb on our list who was a part of The Children of God, who seem to have a bigger and bigger outreach each day. According to his description, from what he can tell, he thinks it is similar to being raised by the Taliban. While he was a part of the group, he lived all over Asia.
One of the saddest things he witnessed while living with them was the death of his brother. Due to a lack of medical intervention from the group, his brother passes away from a pneumonia infection. We're not at all surprised that he decided to leave.
Susan Cagle
As we said, The Children of God have a huge reach despite all the bad reputation they get from people who have left after being a part of it. Susan Cagle is another such person. She grew up with the cult performing on the street and doing missionary work for them. Her experience with them is actually what gave her the courage to up and leave the cult once and for all.
She actually self-recorded her first album while she was still with the group, "The Subway Recordings". She and her sisters would also work together to busk on the streets for passersby.
Leah Remini
The "King of Queens" actress Leah Remini was once a part of the Church of Scientology. She joined with her parents at the age of 9 but chose to leave it in 2013 making headlines. She goes into detail about her experiences there in her memoir "Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology". She also had a docuseries on A&E called "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath" where she goes into extensive detail about the controversial cult.
It is no surprise that her reaction to the Church spurred quite an angry response. They wrote in a statement, "The real story is that she desperately tried to remain a Scientologist in 2013, knowing full well she was on the verge of being expelled for refusing to abide by the high level of ethics and decency Scientologists are expected to maintain".
Lisa Marie Presley
However, despite as hard as they try to keep their name afloat, more and more people seem to be leaving the Church, citing various problems with it. One such person is American singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley who was brought up in Scientology until she decided to leave in 2014. She was quoted as saying, "They were taking my soul, my money, my everything". That's kind of what most people have to say about it.
The daughter, and even wife, of Elvis Presley, have since both left the church. According to RadarOnline, they have earned the title of "suppressive person" meaning that everyone still in the Church, including family, has cut off all ties with them.
Elvis Presley
It seems the whole family is keen on being in cults (or not at this point). Elvis' wife reported on his involvement with the Self-Realization Fellowship saying, "Some time later we were summoned to another retreat, the one that quartered Sri Daya Mata, the woman who assumed leadership [of the Self-Realization Fellowship] after the passing of Yogananda. She was soft-spoken and natural, a person obviously at peace with herself. Elvis took to her immediately."
"Thus began an ongoing dialogue between Elvis and Sri Daya Mata that profoundly influenced his life. At the beginning of this spiritual enterprise, Elvis was wildly enthusiastic. Beyond talking of joining a monastery, he wanted to form a commune. He wanted to devote his life to helping others fulfill themselves through devotional discipline. In fact, he wanted to be a leader of the Self-Realization Fellowship"
Paul Haggis
Even with all the people who end up leaving the cult, there are still some people who refuse to accept that they are not out for the greater good of their people. Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis, who left the church in 2009, went out saying, "I was in a cult for 34 years. Everyone else could see it. I don't know why I couldn't". It seems they have a pretty tight leash on everyone still inside.
But if all of these famous actors who do have a lot of money that they can donate to the church doesn't say enough about how bad it is, we aren't sure what will convince people.
Jaden Smith
Jaden Smith has been noticed as a part of the Orgonite society. They describe themselves as "A secret society of individuals who create and place orgonite to balance Gaia's energies". For the uninitiated, Gaia was the personification of Earth in Greek mythology and one of the primordial deities. She was also the mother of all the titans. That's leaning into some pretty deep stuff right there.
Bot he and his sister have been pictured on Instagram using one of the products that the society makes, known as Orgonite crystals.
Kylie Jenner
Not only have Jaden and Willow Smith been pictured with these Orgonite crystals, but Kylie Jenner herself has also uploaded a picture of herself holding one of these crystals. The crystals, or "Orgone pyramids" are used to take away negative energy and give out positive ones. All this seems to amount to is a bunch of Millenials trying to make the most out of their you-only-live-once lifestyles.
Still, it does bring into question what they might be doing in these cults. It doesn't seem like their doing any harm, but as the society is secretive it doesn't seem like we'll find out any time soon.
Willow Smith
Willow Smith is also said to be a part of this Orgonite society. Although to be fair, the photos that prove as much were posted back in 2014 and may not be accurate to what they do these days. Still, they definitely seemed to be a part of it as they were seen posting multiple pictures related to the cult. In fact, Willow even posted a photo of herself, her brother, and friends making Orgonite pyramids.
If these things are supposed to have healing powers, then why is it so easy to make them themselves? Honestly, they just look like interesting bars of soap.
Jordyn Woods
It doesn't end there, though. Apparently, Jenner's former BFF was also a part of this secretive society. Over on Twitter, Willow Smith uploaded a photo of herself with Woods and Jaden where the capture read "ORGANITE PARTYYY!". We're not sure exactly where this cult came from and how there are so many famous people in it because we've never heard of it in our entire lives.
Still, it doesn't seem like this will be the last of it that we hear, either. It feels like they might try to spread their good vibes sometime soon...
Nicole Kidman
Tom Cruise's wife, Nicole Kidman, was also a part of the Church of Scientology. That is until she left pretty quietly. It makes sense why she wouldn't want to make a big stink about it. After all, not only is her husband still a part of the Church (for more than 25 years now, might we add), but her kids are also still a part of the cult.
She definitely wouldn't want to become an incommunicado "suppressive person" like the Presley's. And anyway, to celebrate Cruise's 25 years, the Church of Scientology made a crystal nude statue of the man. They definitely got perks.
Jason Beghe
Although Nicole Kidman didn't make a big statement about it, there are (still) plenty of people who have. Jason Beghe is yet another former member of the Chuch of Scientology on this list and he was certainly not very happy about it. He said, "It creates a brainwashed, robotic version of you". That's just another thing to add to the list of things wrong with Scientology.
That and they extort you for all you're worth. We're kind of surprised that they haven't yet taken everything that Tom Cruise has. Then again, they wouldn't want to scare off their biggest proponent of the religion.
Keira Maguire
Keira Maguire, who appeared on "The Bachelor" in 2016, was a part of a polygamist cult dubbed "The Seaside Sect" that was founded by her father in the 70s. She said on "The Project" of the cult, "I didn't know who my mum was until I was five. It sounds strange, but it just is what it is". Her mother was one of nine wives to the cult leader who had 64 children overall.
She further described her experience saying, "I didn't even have birthdays. I think I had my first birthday when I was seven. For other people, it might be really sad. But it's not, because it's my story".
Allison Mack
This one is a little different, as Allison Mack was named one of the key figures of this cult. NXIVM was founded by Keith Raniere in 1998 as what was supposed to be a self-help organization, but it quickly became quite an abusive situation. In 2018, two whistleblowers came forward to thrust the cult's psychological and sexual abuse into the spotlight. Mack eventually pleaded guilty in court to racketeering conspiracy.
Mack also reportedly admitted to coming up with one of the cult's more painful customs; branding the women of the cult by cauterizing their groins with the cult's symbol which is apparently made up of Raniere and Mack's initials.
Megan Marx
While she didn't give a name as to what this cult was, Megan Marx grew up in a cultish community during her childhood being raised by her mother and stepfather. Though cult is not the term she would use, she said that she can understand why people would call it such. She said of it, "In there, education wasn't necessarily important, it was just about pleasing your husband".
That doesn't sound all too unfamiliar when it comes to cults. She apparently also had an arranged marriage at the age of 18 (although it didn't last very long).
Neil Young
While Neil Young was never actually a part of any cult, he did have large ties to the cult leader, Charles Manson. According to Far Out Magazine, the singer spent quite a lot of time with the man. They said that he, "jammed with the killer, helped write new music, gifted him a motorcycle and even tried to help the future murderer secure a professional record deal".
While that doesn't necessarily mean that he was involved with the infamous cult, it could mean something about his ties with the man. Still, we aren't ones to throw out any wild accusations, so take it how you will.
Dennis Wilson
Another man who happened to be friends with Charles Manson before all the crime was brought to light was Beach Boy Dennis Wilson. Apparently, in 1968, he picked up two hitchhiking women who then introduced him to their "spiritual guru" Charlie. Then, that very same day, Charles Manson himself came over to the rock band member's house. They became friends and stayed that way for some time.
Although the amount of time that they were associated hasn't been clearly reported on, Charles Manson apparently moved a lot of his followers into Dennis' home. What this means, we don't know.
Kirstie Alley
Kirstie Alley, an actress who appears in many films and television shows ("Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" and "Cheers" to name a few) was another member of the Church of Scientology. Well, was is probably not the right word for it, as she is still active in the Church today. When she joined Scientology, she admitted to having a cocaine addiction and would be going through their rehab service.
Most recently, she donated $5 million to the Church in 2007. She also bought a mansion from former Scientologist Lisa Marie Presley for $1.5 million in May 2000.
Jayne Mansfield
Actress Jayne Mansfield was once a part of the Church of Satan after getting involved with its high priest, Anton LaVey. However, after just a year of being together, she was killed in a car accident. Filmmakers Todd Hughes and P. David Ebersole produced a documentary about her. Ebersole said, "She crafted this phenomenal, larger-than-life movie star image in the '50s that completely fell out of vogue".
"In the '60s, everyone wanted you to be real and down-to-earth, he continued. "We always thought that's part of why she got caught up in seeking. That's part of why she found her way to the Church of Satan."
James Hetfield
The lead vocalist of Metallica, James Hetfield was a part of Christian Science. He said he was raised in it, although since then he has most certainly left. He told Louder Sound that the experience bothered him. He said, "It certainly did affect me though – more than my sister and my brothers, I took it a little more personally."
"Our parents didn't take us to the doctor. We were basically relying on the spiritual power of the religion to heal us or to shield us from being sick or injured. And so at school, I wasn't allowed to sit through health class, to learn about the body, to learn about illnesses and things like that".
Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer has long time been a member of the Church of Christian Science. Due to his involvement, it seems he tries to avoid medical intervention whenever he can. There was a time in 2020 when he revealed that he went to a doctor in 2014 about a lump in his throat that kept growing. After receiving his cancer diagnosis, he was told that it was merely a "suggestion of throat cancer" as told by the Church, rather than actual fact.
It doesn't seem like this is the place you want to be if you value your own life. Though if religion is more important to you, by all means.
John Lennon
John Lennon was a big fan of Father Yod along with Yoko Ono. He was the founder of a cult called the Source Family based out of California. He also had a vegetarian restaurant that the pair frequented quite often. While this doesn't say anything about their involvement, it does prove that they were obviously not opponents of the cult that he was running.
According to news.com.au "The restaurant was the perfect recruiting tool for the Source Family, and its ranks quickly swelled with young, impressionable people looking for a sense of purpose and community".
Neil Bush
The brother of George W. and Jeb Bush, Neil Bush was himself a part of the Unification Church and is apparently still a part of the Unification movement. Founded by Sun Myung Moon in the 1950s, its followers actually believe that he is the Messiah. Bush actually went with Moon on a yearlong tour to promote the construction of a $400 billion tunnel that was never actually built.
When Moon died in 2012, Bush came out and said, "As controversial as Rev. Moon was in the United States, I got to know him as a man whose heart was focused on bringing together people of different faiths to bridge divides. His call on people of faith to serve others is an important legacy".