Famous Celebrities You Might Not Know Are, Or Were Once, Jehovah’s Witnesses
When you think of Hollywood stars and chart-topping musicians, religion might not be the first thing that comes to mind.
However, many famous faces have connections to the Jehovah’s Witness faith, either growing up in it or practicing it throughout their careers.
Get ready to discover some surprising names you probably didn’t expect!
1. Serena Williams
Ever wonder why this tennis champion doesn’t celebrate birthdays or holidays? Growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness shaped Williams’ entire worldview, though she’s admitted to struggling with certain aspects of the faith.
She’s been open about how difficult it can be to balance her beliefs with the demands of professional sports. Despite the challenges, her upbringing remains an important part of who she is today.
2. Venus Williams
Like her sister, Venus was raised in the faith by their mother. The Williams sisters often attended meetings together and were taught to prioritize spiritual matters over worldly success.
This perspective helped both athletes stay grounded despite achieving incredible fame and fortune. Venus has mentioned how her beliefs influence her approach to competition and life beyond the tennis court.
3. Michael Jackson
Before becoming the King of Pop, young Michael spent countless hours knocking on doors with his mother Katherine. The Jackson family’s involvement in the faith was well-documented during the group’s early years.
However, Michael eventually distanced himself from the religion in the 1980s. His departure caused significant tension within his family, particularly with his devout mother who remained committed to her beliefs.
4. Prince
Purple Rain wasn’t the only thing that defined this legendary musician’s life. After converting in 2001, Prince became incredibly devoted to his faith, even going door-to-door to share his beliefs with strangers.
His commitment was so strong that he refused blood transfusions based on religious principles. Many fans were shocked to learn about this side of the superstar who seemed larger than life on stage.
5. Janet Jackson
Growing up in America’s most famous musical family came with unique spiritual expectations. Janet was raised attending Kingdom Hall meetings regularly, following the same path as her siblings.
As her career took off with provocative performances and music videos, she gradually moved away from the strict religious guidelines.
Today, she rarely discusses her religious background, focusing instead on her artistic evolution and personal growth.
6. La Toya Jackson
Among all the Jackson siblings, La Toya has been the most vocal about her religious upbringing. She’s written extensively about how the faith influenced family dynamics and decision-making throughout her childhood.
Her tell-all books revealed intimate details about balancing fame with religious expectations.
While no longer practicing, she credits those early teachings with instilling discipline and moral foundations that guided her through difficult times.
7. The Weeknd
Believe it or not, this R&B superstar spent his childhood attending religious meetings and avoiding birthday celebrations. His grandmother played a significant role in his religious education, taking him to Kingdom Hall regularly.
Abel Tesfaye has mentioned how leaving the faith created complicated feelings and influenced his music’s darker themes.
Songs like “House of Balloons” reflect his journey away from strict religious upbringing toward artistic freedom.
8. Naomi Campbell
Strutting down runways worldwide seems far from a typical Jehovah’s Witness lifestyle, yet Campbell was raised in the faith. Her mother introduced her to the religion during her formative years in London.
The supermodel has spoken about how those early teachings about modesty clashed with fashion industry expectations.
While she no longer practices, Naomi acknowledges that her upbringing taught her valuable lessons about humility despite her glamorous career.
9. Dwight D. Eisenhower
Who would guess that a U.S. President once studied Jehovah’s Witness teachings? Eisenhower’s parents were devoted members, raising their children with strict religious discipline in Kansas.
His mother remained faithful throughout her life, though Dwight eventually pursued a military career that conflicted with pacifist principles.
Despite leaving the faith, he maintained respect for his mother’s beliefs and the moral foundation they provided during his youth.
10. Terrence Howard
If you’ve watched Empire, you might be surprised to learn about this actor’s religious background. Howard was raised in the faith and has occasionally referenced those teachings in interviews.
His unconventional views on mathematics and philosophy sometimes blend with spiritual concepts from his upbringing.
While his current religious status remains somewhat private, Terrence hasn’t completely distanced himself from the values instilled during his childhood years.
11. Dave Mustaine
Heavy metal and religious devotion rarely mix, but Mustaine’s spiritual journey has been anything but conventional. The Megadeth founder explored Jehovah’s Witness teachings for a period during his search for meaning.
His interest in the faith surprised fans who associated him with rebellious rock lifestyle.
Though he eventually embraced Christianity instead, Dave’s exploration of various faiths shows his ongoing quest for spiritual answers beyond the stage.
12. Ja Rule
After years in the rap game, this hip-hop artist surprised everyone by exploring the faith later in life. His conversion came during a period of reflection about fame, family, and purpose.
Ja Rule has discussed how studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses changed his perspective on materialism and success.
Although his commitment has fluctuated over the years, he credits the faith with helping him navigate personal struggles and industry pressures.
13. Larry Graham
Funky bass lines and religious devotion define this musician’s legacy. Graham, famous for his work with Sly and the Family Stone, became a devoted Jehovah’s Witness and actually introduced Prince to the faith.
His influence on Prince’s spiritual journey was profound and well-documented.
Larry continues practicing and has spoken extensively about how his beliefs enhance his creativity rather than limiting his musical expression.
14. Mickey Spillane
Writing hard-boiled detective novels might seem incompatible with religious life, yet Spillane was a baptized Jehovah’s Witness. The creator of Mike Hammer balanced gritty fiction with sincere faith for decades.
He defended his violent stories by saying the bad guys always got punished, aligning with moral justice.
Mickey regularly attended meetings and even turned down lucrative projects that conflicted with his beliefs, showing remarkable consistency between faith and career.
15. Patti Smith
Known as the godmother of punk rock, Smith had a brief period studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses during her youth. This surprising chapter in her life happened before her revolutionary music career took off.
Her time with the faith was short-lived, as her artistic spirit and rebellious nature ultimately led elsewhere.
Patti has mentioned this experience in interviews as part of her spiritual exploration, though it clearly didn’t define her path forward.
16. Sherri Shepherd
Comedy and strict religious upbringing created an interesting mix for this View co-host. Shepherd was raised in the faith and has openly discussed how those experiences shaped her worldview and humor.
She eventually left to explore other Christian denominations, finding a spiritual home that better fit her personality.
Sherri jokes about not celebrating holidays as a kid, turning childhood restrictions into relatable comedy material for her audiences.
17. Donald Glover
Before becoming a multi-talented entertainer, Glover experienced childhood shaped by his family’s religious practices. His parents raised him and his siblings as Jehovah’s Witnesses in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
Donald has referenced this upbringing in his comedy and music, particularly the awkwardness of being different from classmates.
He’s moved away from the faith, those formative experiences clearly influence his creative work’s themes about identity and belonging.
18. Luke Evans
This Welsh actor’s journey from religious upbringing to Hollywood stardom involved significant personal transformation.
Evans was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness in a strict household where entertainment careers were discouraged.
Coming out as gay meant leaving both his faith community and family support behind. Luke has spoken about the pain of that separation but also the freedom it gave him to pursue acting and live authentically on his own terms.
