Although celebrities rarely discuss religious beliefs when marketing their films, TV shows, or albums, it is not unheard of for celebrities to do so. This is sometimes done to discuss faith's role in overcoming adversity or progressing professionally. In certain cases, it's to shed light on traumatic experiences and upbringing.
All of the following seven famous people have either been members of a cult or affiliated with a religious group that has been the subject of criticism for its practices or organizational structure.
1. The Phoenix family
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Actors Joaquin and their family were members of the Children of God cult when they were young. The family traveled extensively throughout South America and the Caribbean. I believe my parents thought they had found a society that matched their views," Joaquin told Playboy in 2014. "
Rarely do cults promote themselves openly as such. Typically, the phrase "We're like-minded folks" is used. I remember my parents saying, "This is a community," but I suppose they left as soon as they learned there was more to it."2. McKayla Maroney
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McKayla Maroney joined The Church of the Master Angels. CMA claims faith has cured members of anxiety and HIV. According to The Daily Beast, courses can cost $10,000. Maroney defended herself against being in a "cult" in an Elle interview in August 2021. Since the pandemic began, she hasn't attended a CMA workshop. "
I've always trusted God and others. I'm not religious or a cult member, "explained Maroney.
3. Justin and Hailey Bieber
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The Biebers are a married couple who have been linked to multiple Christian congregations, including Hillsong, Zoe Church, and Churchome. According to Jezebel, from January 2021, Justin denied claims that he had attended Hillsong College of Ministry by posting the following to his Instagram Story:
"AND BTW HILLSONG IS NOT MY CHURCH. FOR CLARITY, I AM A PART OF CHURCHMEN." GQ has previously claimed that infamous ex-Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz had baptized the singer in an NBA player's bathroom. In 2020, Elle quoted Hailey saying,
"It started to seem like my own little community of folks who were also young and following God and just immersed in a church culture."4. Chris Pratt
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Chris Pratt is one of several celebrities affiliated with the Hillsong Church, which is facing financial wrongdoing and abuse allegations. The Australian megachurch has churches worldwide. Refinery29 says Pratt joined the Hillsong-inspired Zoe Church. According to Variety, Elliot Page tweeted Pratt attending an "infamously anti-LGBTQ" church. Pratt replied on Instagram: "It's been said that my church "hates a certain group" and is "infamously anti-LGBTQ." Not. My church welcomes everyone."
5. Michelle Pfeiffer
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Michelle Pfeiffer started breatharianism aged 20 after moving to Los Angeles. Bretharians believe individuals can live on sunlight alone. The star revealed she met a pair who "worked with weights and put people on diets. Their specialty was vegetarianism" Then, "Controlling. I didn't live with them, but they told me to visit more. It was monetarily burdensome to pay for my entire stay. They thought high-status people were breatharians." Pfeiffer stated she recognized she was in a cult after her ex-husband researched them for a film.
6. Elisabeth Moss
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Scientology has numerous celebrity members, like Tom Cruise and John Travolta, yet it's controversial. Elisabeth Moss is a Scientologist who's less open than others. In 2019, The Handmaid's Tale star told The Daily Beast, "I'm a Christian."
"It's tough since I can only speak from personal experience and views. I support free speech. Humans should be able to criticize. I support press freedom. I support free speech. I don't want somebody to take that from me because it's crucial. I hope people educate themselves and form their own opinions, as I have."7. Glenn Close
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When Glenn Close was 7, her parents joined Moral Re-Armament. Close and her siblings lived in Switzerland for two years while her father worked in Congo, including for tyrant Mobutu Sese Seko. Close told The Hollywood Reporter in 2014, "You weren't allowed to do anything or forced to feel terrible about unnatural desires." Close left the group when she was 15 and moved back to the U.S. "Being in a group that tells you how to live, what to say, and how to feel from age 7 to 22 has a huge effect on you."