Celebrities born into cults? All the famous stories you should know
We sit here hearing the stories about modern day cults, and we’re disturbed trying to figure out what the heck cult life would feel like. Ironically, there’s a good chunk of famous celebrities that were born into cults or joined them at a young age because of their family.
Through them, we can find out the truth about many famous cults still existing today. These celebrities grew up on communes, had to follow a strict lifestyle, and finally were able to escape once their parents woke up to the truth. Most of them have gone on the record to talk about their experiences as well.
The Arquette Children: Subud
The famous acting family were once living on a commune in Virginia in the 70s. As noted by Patricia, the Subud commune was a “hippie” commune focused on helping people be the best they can be through God. However, this was not a religious movement, but a spiritual one.
Those under the Subud commune were to practice religion, but they could practice whatever they wanted. Lewis Arquette was Islam, while their mother Brenda was Jewish. Living without electricity, running water, or bathrooms, the Arquette family left the commune in the late 70s.
The Phoenix Children and Rose McGowan: Children of God
Both were raised in separate communes within the cult, but both the Phoenix Children and McGowan grew up in the famous cult, well known for its claims of child molestation. The Phoenixs were the Bottoms while in the cult, but when the parents finally realized how dangerous the cult was, they changed their last name to Phoenix and moved.
On the other hand, McGowan’s father was the leader of their chapter in Italy, and the family would travel around Europe to the various communes. McGowan thankfully says she never experienced any of the abuse claimed to have occurred in the cult. But nonetheless, the McGowan family left the organization in 1978 and moved to Oregon.
Glenn Close: Moral Re-Armament
While not born into the cult, Close spent a large part of her childhood in the cult with her family. Talking about her childhood, Close made it clear that she believed the MRA was a cult. Being dictated what to wear, what to say, what to eat, etc., was a lot for her.
Of course, she doesn’t blame her parents for the experience, as everyone has their reason for doing what they have to do. Once her family left the experience, she put all her passion into becoming an actress to get her mind off of her past.
Winona Ryder: Rainbow Family
The Ryder family moved onto the Rainbow commune in Mendocino County, Ca when she was seven. Living with seven other families for three years, the family lived without electricity. Preaching peace and love, the group was about community.
To entertain herself, Ryder found herself drawn to The Catcher and the Rye and secret movie nights with her family in the barn. Thanks to these movie nights, she was inspired to become an actress.
