These Stars Have Been In A Cult

Tom Cruise, the Hollywood icon, embraced Scientology in 1990 and has since been regarded as its prominent celebrity advocate. He played a pivotal role in introducing his ex-wives, Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes, to the religion. Interestingly, it was his first wife, Mimi Rogers, who reportedly introduced him to the Church of Scientology, setting the stage for his deep involvement with the controversial organization.

Upon moving to Los Angeles at the age of 20, actress Michelle Pfeiffer became entangled with Breatharianism, as reported by Ranker. This controversial cult adhered to the belief that individuals could survive solely on sunlight, without the need for food or water. However, Pfeiffer's association with Breatharianism was short-lived, and she eventually distanced herself from the group's extreme teachings.

Actor and film director David Arquette's early life was marked by his birth in Skymont Subud, a commune situated in Virginia. Life in the commune was challenging, lacking basic amenities such as running water, electricity, and functioning bathrooms. Although David's sister, Patricia Arquette, was not born there, she spent a significant part of her childhood in the commune. Patricia shared that their parents initiated the commune with a group of friends, envisioning it as a utopian society, as she disclosed to Oprah Winfrey.

Actress Rose McGowan, known for her role in 'Charmed,' had a tumultuous upbringing within the Children of God sect. This controversial cult embraced a mixture of hippy ideals and religious beliefs. As per McGowan's account to People magazine, the cult's toxic influence normalized the sexualization of women, leaving a lasting impact on her perception of the world.

Acclaimed actor Joaquin Phoenix experienced a unique upbringing in the Children of God cult. Alongside his family, he traveled extensively throughout South America, spreading the cult's beliefs. However, after their departure from the group, his parents purportedly changed their family name from Bottom to Phoenix, signifying a transformative new beginning for the talented actor.

At the tender age of seven, renowned actress Glenn Close and her family became members of the Moral Re-Armament cult. For fifteen years, they lived in close-knit communities adhering to the group's conservative beliefs. However, they eventually broke away from the cult's influence. Surprisingly, Close has revealed that her experience of growing up in a cult played a significant role in shaping her acting career, as per her statements on Ranker.

At the age of seven, actress Winona Ryder and her family became part of California's Rainbow Family commune. The hippy commune comprised seven families who lived together on a shared plot of land, with no access to running water. After spending three years in the commune, the family eventually departed from the Rainbow Family's communal lifestyle, as reported by Ranker.

Renowned actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld acknowledged that during his early twenties, he engaged in Scientology courses, as stated by Time magazine. In a 2008 interview with Parade magazine, Seinfeld revealed that the experience proved beneficial to his career, describing it as "extremely intellectual and clinical in its approach to problem-solving." Though he explored Scientology at one point in his life, Seinfeld has not been known to maintain active involvement with the organization in recent years.

Comedian and actress Leah Remini was a devoted member of the Church of Scientology for more than three decades until her departure in 2013. Her mother sought solace in Scientology after divorcing Leah's father, and she introduced her daughter to the church, as reported by The Brofessional. Remini's journey within the organization and her subsequent exit sparked significant attention and discussions about Scientology's influence on celebrities.

After the death of her ex-husband, Priscilla Presley became associated with the Church of Scientology in 1977. She raised her daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, within the church, as reported by Metro. In 2014, she decided to leave Scientology and has since remained relatively silent about her experiences within the institution she grew up in. However, in a song she wrote, Presley expressed negative sentiments about Scientology, according to Suggest.