Those in Hollywood are constantly under close watch by the public eye. While the lives of celebrities seem glamorous from the outside, their lives are not as simple and shiny as they may seem. This could lead them to be susceptible to being recruited to be in a cult. Some cults even target actors so that they have a greater influence over the public. Interestingly, many well-known actors even spent their childhoods as a part of a cult. Over the years, many musicians have grown up in or been roped into cult communities. Despite their high status, they are not as invincible as they seem. Here are some of the musicians who have been victims of different cults' persuasion tactics, and it may surprise you.
8 Neil Young
This musician has strong ties to Charles Manson's cult, otherwise known as the Manson Family. The Manson Family lived an unusual lifestyle consisting of heavy drug usage and other criminal activities. Interestingly, Neil Young played a central role in helping Charles Manson get a record deal. Young liked Manson because they both liked the same music. These connections and similarities are probably what got him wrapped up in the Family cult.
7 Christopher Owens
This musician had an unfortunate upbringing in a cult called The Children of God. While he was able to travel the world with his family, he was exposed to problematic ideals and radical Christianity for the entirety of his childhood. While in this cult, it was like he was completely cut off from the world. His friends would discuss popular movies that he would never be able to see. The isolation and sadness are what led him to cut himself off from the cult and his family. He uses his music to reflect on that time with nostalgia.
6 Dennis Wilson
This Beach Boys member was close friends with Charles Manson. Charles Manson had over 100 followers in his cult, the Manson Family, and Wilson was among them. This musician threw parties for the members and was a supporter of Manson. He was introduced to the cult after he picked up two hitchhikers, and that started his bizarre relationship with Charles Manson. Wilson's free spirit made it to where he could tolerate Manson for a while, but it did not last forever. His fellow band members were also creeped out by Manson, so he ended their friendship and his association with the Family.
5 Angel Haze
Rapper and musician Angel Haze grew up with her mother in the Pentecostal Greater Apostolic Faith Church. She has repeatedly described it as a cult. When she was outed to her mother, the cult-like brainwashing was evident. She felt like her mother destroyed their relationship over her sexuality, and she blames the church. Also, it was not easy for her to escape the grasp of the church. Her desire to heal herself and tell a story that can resonate with others has helped her through her experiences and come to terms with the memories associated with the cult.
4 Toni Braxton
This musician, who got her start singing in the choir, was also raised in a cult environment. She actually had to pretend to speak in tongues to survive her parents' cult. Like Angel Haze, she was raised in the Pentecostal Greater Apostolic Faith Church where Braxton was expected to be modest and perfect at all costs. Her body itself, no matter how much she tried to cover it up, did not align with the "modesty" that her parents' cult demanded. In her new memoir 'Unbreak My Heart', she details how she was told she would "go to hell" for just being who she was. The cult has had lasting effects on her life, and she is still working through them to this day.
3 Elvis Presley
The King of Rock did not have as easy of a life as some may expect. He actively sought out a community that could raise his vibration. This led to him joining the Swami Paramahansa Yogananda's Self Realization Fellowship. He actually became close with the leader of this cult as well. While this fellowship, which originated in India, is seen all over the world, some branches in the United States use cult tactics to recruit members. Since Presley sought them out, it is possible he was recruited using those same tactics.
2 John Lennon
This former Beatles guitarist has strong connections to the Source, a cult based in an organic restaurant that became influential through its recruitment of celebrities. Between the events in his busy daily schedule, Lennon ate many meals there and interacted with the cult members with familiarity. This strong connection to the restaurant and his interaction with waitresses who were tasked with recruiting new members made him highly susceptible to their tactics.
1 Jaden Smith
Recently, indie musician Jaden Smith announced his connection to the Orgonite Society. The goal of this cult is to use and interact with crystals to balance the energy of the Earth. Interestingly, his sister Willow Smith and other celebrities like Kylie Jenner also show connections. He has even been seen carrying his own crystal pyramid that is supposed to cancel out "bad vibes". However, Smith has a reputation for playing conspiracy pranks on the media, so this could just be a stunt.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErZ%2Bippeoe6S7zGhvZqWlqLaktcCnqmavmKR6qa3VnmSbnZWjeqJ5z5qprWWfm3qiecKuo61n