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On The Wrong ‘Path’: 20 Celebrities With Ties To Cults
Published
April 4, 2016, 9:00 a.m. ET
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WHO: ANDREW KEEGAN
CULT: FULL CIRCLE
The 10 Things I Hate About You actor co-founded Full Circle in 2013. He describes it as a “community spiritual center” that, from what we can tell, is very enthusiastic about “flows” and “vibes.”
CULT: FULL CIRCLE
The 10 Things I Hate About You actor co-founded Full Circle in 2013. He describes it as a “community spiritual center” that, from what we can tell, is very enthusiastic about “flows” and “vibes.”
Photo: Getty
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WHO: TOM CRUISE
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
Tom Cruise remains one of the most high-profile and outspoken members of the Church of Scientology. He joined in 1990 and claims that the center helped him overcome dyslexia.
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
Tom Cruise remains one of the most high-profile and outspoken members of the Church of Scientology. He joined in 1990 and claims that the center helped him overcome dyslexia.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: JOHN TRAVOLTA
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
HBO’s 2015 documentary, Going Clear, explained how Travolta got involved in Scientology in the 1970’s and credits it for his improved confidence and career success.
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
HBO’s 2015 documentary, Going Clear, explained how Travolta got involved in Scientology in the 1970’s and credits it for his improved confidence and career success.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: JOAQUIN PHOENIX
CULT: CHILDREN OF GOD
Joaquin’s family joined the Children of God cult in the 70’s. It is known for its “free love” philosophy and encouraging sex amongst its members. Joaquin’s family traveled around South America with the group and he’s stated that he used his experience to inspire his performance as Freddie Quell in The Master.
CULT: CHILDREN OF GOD
Joaquin’s family joined the Children of God cult in the 70’s. It is known for its “free love” philosophy and encouraging sex amongst its members. Joaquin’s family traveled around South America with the group and he’s stated that he used his experience to inspire his performance as Freddie Quell in The Master.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: GLENN CLOSE
CULT: MORAL RE-ARMAMENT
From the ages of 7-22 years old, Glenn was a member of this cult that originally began as an anti-war movement. She lived at the organization’s headquarters in Switzerland and has said, “You basically weren’t allowed to do anything.”
CULT: MORAL RE-ARMAMENT
From the ages of 7-22 years old, Glenn was a member of this cult that originally began as an anti-war movement. She lived at the organization’s headquarters in Switzerland and has said, “You basically weren’t allowed to do anything.”
Photo: Getty
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WHO: MICHELLE PFIFFER
CULT: BRETHARIAN
Michelle became a member of this group in her early 20’s while living in LA. They believe that food, including water, is unnecessary and that you can survive on only sunshine. It wasn’t until she was researching cults for a role that she realized she was in one.
CULT: BRETHARIAN
Michelle became a member of this group in her early 20’s while living in LA. They believe that food, including water, is unnecessary and that you can survive on only sunshine. It wasn’t until she was researching cults for a role that she realized she was in one.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: DAVID ARQUETTE
CULT: SKYMONT SUBUD COMMUNE
The Subud movement came from Indonesia in the 1920’s, but it was David’s parent’s directly that caused him pain during his childhood. While the commune had no bathrooms, running water, or electricity, David was the victim of violent physical abuse from his parents and turned to drugs and alcohol before he was even 5 years old.
CULT: SKYMONT SUBUD COMMUNE
The Subud movement came from Indonesia in the 1920’s, but it was David’s parent’s directly that caused him pain during his childhood. While the commune had no bathrooms, running water, or electricity, David was the victim of violent physical abuse from his parents and turned to drugs and alcohol before he was even 5 years old.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: ROSE MCGOWAN
CULT: CHILDREN OF GOD
Rose was a member of the same cult as Joaqin Phoenix. Her father was the head of the chapter she belonged to in Italy, but from a very early age she disagreed with how women were essentially treated as sex slaves.
CULT: CHILDREN OF GOD
Rose was a member of the same cult as Joaqin Phoenix. Her father was the head of the chapter she belonged to in Italy, but from a very early age she disagreed with how women were essentially treated as sex slaves.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: WINONA RYDER
CULT: RAINBOW COMMUNE
Winona”s family moved to the 300-acre plot of land known as the Rainbow Commune (one of the tamest forms of a cult) when she was 7 years old. They lived with seven other families, with no electricity, and tried to live off the land. She pursued acting as soon as her family moved off the commune.
CULT: RAINBOW COMMUNE
Winona”s family moved to the 300-acre plot of land known as the Rainbow Commune (one of the tamest forms of a cult) when she was 7 years old. They lived with seven other families, with no electricity, and tried to live off the land. She pursued acting as soon as her family moved off the commune.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: PATRICIA ARQUETTE
CULT: SKYMONT SUBUD COMMUNE
Patricia suffered the same terrible conditions as her brother David on the Subud Commune in Virginia. It was meant to be a social experiment due to its isolating location, so the Arquette siblings did not even realize quite how bad their upbringing was.
CULT: SKYMONT SUBUD COMMUNE
Patricia suffered the same terrible conditions as her brother David on the Subud Commune in Virginia. It was meant to be a social experiment due to its isolating location, so the Arquette siblings did not even realize quite how bad their upbringing was.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: EMILY SCHROMM
CULT: FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIAN
MTV’s Real World: D.C. star Emily Schromm grew up in Montana, living with a fundamentalist Christian cult, and discussed her experiences with it during her season of the reality show.
CULT: FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIAN
MTV’s Real World: D.C. star Emily Schromm grew up in Montana, living with a fundamentalist Christian cult, and discussed her experiences with it during her season of the reality show.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: ANGEL HAZE
CULT: GREATER APOSTOLIC FAITH
Singer and rapper Angel Haze was raised in a community of Greater Apostolic Faith, which is a Pentecostal Christian denomination. She has described not being able to wear jewelry, listen to certain music, eat certain foods, or even talk to people outside of the community. She fled when she was 16 years old.
CULT: GREATER APOSTOLIC FAITH
Singer and rapper Angel Haze was raised in a community of Greater Apostolic Faith, which is a Pentecostal Christian denomination. She has described not being able to wear jewelry, listen to certain music, eat certain foods, or even talk to people outside of the community. She fled when she was 16 years old.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: CHRISTOPHER OWENS
CULT: CHILDREN OF GOD
Musician Christopher Owens was also a member of the Children of God cult, and has compared it to being raised by the Taliban. He lived all over Asia with the group throughout his childhood and even had to watch his brother die of pneumonia due to the lack of medical treatment from the group.
CULT: CHILDREN OF GOD
Musician Christopher Owens was also a member of the Children of God cult, and has compared it to being raised by the Taliban. He lived all over Asia with the group throughout his childhood and even had to watch his brother die of pneumonia due to the lack of medical treatment from the group.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: SUSAN CAGLE
CULT: CHILDREN OF GOD
Musician Susan Cagle grew up traveling around the world in the Children of God cult, doing missionary work and performing on the street. This gave her the courage to leave the group and make money by performing in New York City subway stations.
CULT: CHILDREN OF GOD
Musician Susan Cagle grew up traveling around the world in the Children of God cult, doing missionary work and performing on the street. This gave her the courage to leave the group and make money by performing in New York City subway stations.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: LEAH REMINI
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
The King of Queens actress made a big splash when she left Scientology in 2013. She also wrote her memoir Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology where she detailed her experiences with the community.
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
The King of Queens actress made a big splash when she left Scientology in 2013. She also wrote her memoir Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology where she detailed her experiences with the community.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: LISA MARIE PRESSLEY
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
Lisa Marie Pressley was brought up in Scientology until she made the brave decision to leave in 2014, saying, “They were taking my soul, my money, my everything.”
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
Lisa Marie Pressley was brought up in Scientology until she made the brave decision to leave in 2014, saying, “They were taking my soul, my money, my everything.”
Photo: Getty
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WHO: PAUL HAGGIS
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
Oscar-winning Director Paul Haggis also did not leave Scientology quietly, declaring, “I was in a cult for 34 years. Everyone else could see it. I don’t know why I couldn’t.”
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
Oscar-winning Director Paul Haggis also did not leave Scientology quietly, declaring, “I was in a cult for 34 years. Everyone else could see it. I don’t know why I couldn’t.”
Photo: Getty
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WHO: JADEN SMITH
CULT: ORGONITE
The Orgonite society describes themselves as “A Secret Society Of Individuals Who Create And Place Orgonite To Balance Gaia’s Energies.” Gaia, from the Greek myths, basically created the universe, but what the rest of that means is that Jaden has posted pictures of himself on Instagram playing with crystals. The Orgone pyramids are used to take away negative energy and give out positive energy. Also photographed with the pyramids are Jaden’s sister Willow Smith and his friend Kylie Jenner.
CULT: ORGONITE
The Orgonite society describes themselves as “A Secret Society Of Individuals Who Create And Place Orgonite To Balance Gaia’s Energies.” Gaia, from the Greek myths, basically created the universe, but what the rest of that means is that Jaden has posted pictures of himself on Instagram playing with crystals. The Orgone pyramids are used to take away negative energy and give out positive energy. Also photographed with the pyramids are Jaden’s sister Willow Smith and his friend Kylie Jenner.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: NICOLE KIDMAN
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
Nicole Kidman left Scientology after her split from Tom Cruise, but has chosen not to speak publicly about it, due to the fact that her children Connor and Isabella are still members.
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
Nicole Kidman left Scientology after her split from Tom Cruise, but has chosen not to speak publicly about it, due to the fact that her children Connor and Isabella are still members.
Photo: Getty
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WHO: JASON BEGHE
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
Chicago P.D. actor Jason Beghe left Scientology in 2008 after 14 years, stating “It creates a brainwashed, robotic version of you.”
CULT: SCIENTOLOGY
Chicago P.D. actor Jason Beghe left Scientology in 2008 after 14 years, stating “It creates a brainwashed, robotic version of you.”
Photo: Getty
- The Path
