Cults are a phenomenon that we hear about in the news and media for their mystery and anonymity for their members. Few people have spoken out about their time in cults, including certain A-listers.
Bethany Joy Lenz
Bethany Joy Lenz is an actress and co-host of the “Drama Queens” podcast. She is most known for her portrayal of Haley James Scott on the hit CW teen drama, One Tree Hill. Additionally, she is the author of “Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While also in an Actual Cult!).”
She was involved with The Big House Family cult from 2003 to 2012. Lenz first spoke out about her time in the cult in 2023 on the Drama Queens podcast. To promote her new memoir, she has been featured on various podcasts, including “Call Her Daddy” and “I’ve Never Said This Before” to speak about her book and also about her time in the cult, which she describes as a “sex cult.”
During her time in the cult, she met her now ex-husband and became a mother to her daughter, Rosie. Her former father-in-law was one of the leaders of the cult. Lenz’s memoir focuses on her time in the cult as well as the recovery that she has had to endure upon leaving the organization.
I was in a cult for 10 years. That would be a really valuable experience to write about, and the recovery — 10 years of recovery after that. So there’s a lot to tell.
Bethany Joy Lenz
Andrew Keegan
Andrew Keegan is an actor best known for his portrayal of Joey Donner in the 1999 classic 10 Things I Hate About You. More recently, he has appeared in Living Among Us and Adverse.
Keegan was rumored to have become the cult leader of the now-defunct spiritual organization, Full Circle, in Venice Beach, California. Earlier this year, Keegan was a guest star on the “Pod Meets World” podcast, where he spoke out about his time as a leader of the organization.
He shared that he started the organization in 2014 along with others to fill an old Hare Krishna Temple. Full Circle ran for three years until it closed down. During its run, the organization hosted events for people in the community.
Looking back, it was insane. I was putting down 10s of thousands of dollars, but we opened it up and spent three years and really did build an amazing friend group,
Andrew Keegan
McKayla Maroney
McKayla Maroney is a former Team USA gymnast who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. In addition to competing in the “Fierce Five” alongside Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross, and Jordyn Wieber, she is also known for “the face” she gave on the podium after receiving a silver medal.
Maroney was believed to have joined a cult after posting a picture wearing a pendant belonging to the Church of the Master Angels, an organization that is said to be similar to the controversial Church of Scientology.
She spoke about her time with Master John, the organization’s leader. Maroney claims that she learned about the organization after receiving a recommendation from her chiropractor. In 2021, she spoke out and shared that she no longer sees Master John.
I’ve always believed in God and more than just myself. But I’m not religious; I am not in a cult. None of it is true. The article just attacked me over a necklace that I had been wearing. I do meditation and pray, but there’s nothing weird that I do.
McKayla Maroney
Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix is a notable actor and Oscar winner. He is most known for his roles in “Joker”, “Her” and “Gladiator.” He and his five siblings are all actors, including his late brother, River Phoenix.
Phoenix and his siblings grew up in a cult that has had many different names, “Children of God” and more recently, “The Family International”, which was founded in 1968 by David Berg. Berg was later accused of sexual abuse.
The organization was a religious sex cult, and the Phoenix family left after feeling dissatisfied with the institution’s orders.
I think it was really innocent on my parents’ part. They really believed, but I don’t think most people see it that way. I’ve always thought that was strange and unfair.
Joaquin Phoenix
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