The Church of Scientology was created in 1952 by science-fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. Much about the religion is unknown to non-members, but there are a plethora of celebrities that we do know who practice the secretive religion. From the moment of its conception, Hubbard knew that if he wanted more followers, he had to obtain some high-profile memberships. Thus began the religion’s “Project Celebrity” in 1955.
He needed the influence that celebrities could bring in. He targeted big names such as Ernest Hemingway and Bob Hope. With the massive rise of the religion throughout the years, do you think the project was successful? How many of your celebrity idols are actually practitioners of the religion? Find out here!
Beck Hansen has nothing to hide.
Beck Hansen, or simply, Beck, is a famous musician who is both a singer and a record producer. He is widely known for his versatility in performing various genres of music.
Both of Beck’s parents were Scientologists, so naturally, he was born into the religion. He knew of no other religion and did not really feel the need to learn a different one. He kept mum about his religion until 2012, when he confirmed it in an interview with New York Magazine. He was not secretive about it and even said that the Church of Scientology has just always been “something that I’ve been around”.
Elisabeth Moss’ faith will not be diminished.
36-year-old actress Elisabeth Moss is one of the stars of The Handmaid’s Tale, a controversial series about a futuristic cult that persecutes women. And just as her tv show is controversial, so is her personal life. The fact that she was raised as a Scientologist has earned her the criticism of many.
The LGBTQ community chastises her practice of the religion as the Church has always been famous for oppressing the rights of both women and the LGBTQ communities.
Despite the opinions of many, Moss is still a proud practitioner of Scientology, claiming that the community has significantly influenced the person that she has turned out to be. She remains to be grateful to the organization for it.
Laura Prepon is loud and proud about her religion.
Not a lot of people know this, but the beloved girl from That ‘70s Show, turned thug in Orange is the New Black is actually Scientology’s golden child. She was even featured on the Church’s magazine called Celebrity, appearing on its cover.
According to Prepon, she is already past the organization’s “Purification Rundown” phase and is already moving up “The Bridge.” She is grateful to the organization for helping her feel relaxed whenever she is one set. She is also an extremely vocal Scientologist who is not afraid to speak about her religion.
Sonny Bono was conflicted.
Sonny Bono’s affiliation with the Church of Scientology is pretty intriguing, mainly because he has said conflicting statements about it. In one interview in 1999, he said that it was his former wife, Cher, who influenced him to join the organization. According to Chere, however, she has not once been associated with the community, even claiming that she never really understood Sonny’s faith.
The strangeness of it all does not just end there. Bono’s widow, Mary, also revealed that he had tried to quit the society before, back in the early ‘90s, but the Church “made it very difficult for him.”
Scientology and Tom Cruise
Without a question of a doubt, Tom Cruise is one of Scientology’s most famous and most vocal celebrity members. Influenced by his former wife, Mimi Rogers, Cruise joined the organization back in 1990.
Cruise is known for openly advertising the religion ever since. It did not come without a price, though. In 2010, his marriage with Katie Holmes ended. The alleged reason? She did not want their daughter, Suri, to grow up under the influence of the religion.