White Celebs Who Grew Up in Cults (Escape Stories)

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Many famous white celebrities grew up in highly controlled religious or self-help groups, and several have shared their experiences of leaving and finding themselves again. These stories often involve childhoods spent constantly moving, limited education, and strict rules, with parents typically joining the groups first and raising their children within them. Leaving usually meant either a family decision or a personal choice in late adolescence or early adulthood, followed by a long process of breaking old habits and rebuilding a life. This details some notable cases and the key steps these individuals took to move forward.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close spent her childhood, starting at age seven, growing up within the Moral Re Armament movement. Her family moved abroad for her father’s medical career and became deeply involved in the group, which emphasized communal living and limited exposure to the outside world. This influenced her formative years at boarding school. She eventually left the movement in her early twenties to pursue drama studies in the United States, and has since discussed the challenge of overcoming beliefs she was taught as a child. Her experiences now inform her work advocating for those affected by early indoctrination and its lasting impact on trust and independence.

Rose McGowan

Rose McGowan grew up in a group called Children of God, while her parents were members living in Europe. Her childhood was unconventional, spent in communal living with limited exposure to typical culture and involved a lot of moving. McGowan’s father eventually left the group with his family because of increasingly extreme practices. After quietly leaving, she started attending school in the United States and has spoken about how difficult it was to adjust due to the secrecy and constant travel she experienced as a child.

Joaquin Phoenix

I’ve always been fascinated by Joaquin Phoenix’s story! It’s incredible to think about his early life – he and his siblings grew up in a really unusual environment with a group called Children of God, traveling around South America and the Caribbean with his parents. Then, in 1977, his family made a big change and left, even adopting the surname Phoenix to represent a fresh start when they came to the US. It’s amazing how, despite not having a traditional education at first, Joaquin and his family managed to make a life for themselves through performing, and it really shows how a family working together can help kids get back on track with school and work.

River Phoenix

Like his brother, River Phoenix was born into the Children of God religious group and experienced a nomadic childhood. After his family left the group, he quickly pursued a career in entertainment, busking and appearing in commercials. He intentionally changed his last name to signal a fresh start and a focus on mainstream success. His passion for animal rights stemmed from his family’s process of questioning their beliefs after leaving the group.

Leah Remini

Leah Remini grew up in Scientology after her mother joined and the family moved into church-provided housing and schools. As a teenager, she worked in programs connected to the church and had little interaction with people outside of it. Later, as an adult, she left because she disagreed with how the church was run and the demands it placed on families. After leaving, Remini shared her experiences and created a space for others who had left to tell their stories as well.

Lisa Marie Presley

I was really saddened to hear about Lisa Marie Presley. I knew she’d grown up with Scientology, introduced to it by her mom when she was a little girl, and she stayed involved for years, even while building her music career and handling everything after her father passed. But later on, she decided it wasn’t for her anymore and wanted to break away. It seemed like a lot of her family was doing the same, trying to live their own lives privately, away from the church’s control. It’s a tough situation, and I feel for her and her family.

Beck

Beck was raised with some connection to Scientology and took courses while starting his music career. He later explained that he’s no longer involved with the organization, a change that happened as he pursued different personal relationships and worked with people outside of Scientology. After leaving, he stressed his desire for independence and preferred to keep his spiritual life private.

Michelle Pfeiffer

When Michelle Pfeiffer was young, she got involved with a small group that promoted very strict diets and the idea of living without much food. The pressure within the group grew, and friends, along with a new acting coach, became concerned about their rules. This led her to leave. Looking back, she realized the group used manipulative tactics and she was able to distance herself. This experience made her more cautious about unusual health trends and charismatic leaders in the future.

Share other escape stories you think belong on this list in the comments.

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2025-11-17 19:45