Selena Gomez: Catholic
Raised Catholic by her parents and even had a purity ring as a 13-year-old. Selena is still a practicing Christian. At a Hillsong conference in 2017, she took the stage and gave her testimony of how she came to faith.
“You are enough because you are a child of God who has been pursuing you from the very beginning. You are enough because his grace has saved you and covers you. And every good thing you do will flow from this truth.” she said in an open letter to herself in front of thousands of members of the contemporary Christian church.
Elisabeth Moss: Scientology
Elisabeth Moss is famous for her iconic roles in The Handmaid’s Tale and Mad Men, but she’s also now one of the most well-known adherents to the Church of Scientology.
Moss was raised in her parents’ faith and allegedly finished her first Scientology course when she was just eight years old. Like many Scientologists, Moss doesn’t openly speak about her religion in much detail. But she has made claims to be an advocate for freedom of speech and freedom of religion, but has always steered clear of talking about her own personal spiritual beliefs in interviews.
Mindy Kaling: Hinduism
During a Q&A with Jezebel, Mindy Kaling explained “But I do consider myself Hindu. I wrote an Office episode about the Hindu holiday Diwali.”
Kaling was not raised speaking an Indian dialect. Her parents adopted a “kind of Boston-by-way-of-India-by-way-of-Nigeria” culture with some “Indian flourishes.” Although Kaling didn’t have a traditional Hindu upbringing, she still strongly identifies as a Hindu.
Jennifer Garner: Christianity
Jennifer Garner’s religion is Christianity. Garner opened up about her family’s faith during an appearance on “I grew up going to church every Sunday of my life, and when I did move to L.A., it wasn’t something that was just part of the culture there in the same way, at least in my life. But it didn’t mean that I lost who I was"
Following her appearance in a Christian drama film, “Miracles from Heaven,” which was based on a true story, she discovered a newfound dedication to her faith. “There was something about doing this film and talking to my kids about it and realizing that they were looking for the structure of church every Sunday,” Garner expressed.
Chris Pratt: Christianity
Pratt was introduced to religion as a teenager in Maui, Hawaii, by a complete stranger. Pratt told Esquire magazine in 2014, that a stranger walked by and asked him of his intentions for the night and what he was planning to get up to.
“I stopped because Jesus told me to stop and talk to you. The stranger said, “to tell you you're destined for great things. “My friends came out, and I was like, 'Hey, I'm gonna go with this guy.' I gave my soul to Jesus within, like, two days. I was stuffing envelopes for his organisation, Jews for Jesus." Pratt has openly mentioned his faith on numerous accounts including his instagram posts and nomination award speeches.
Natalie Portman: Judaism
Star Natalie Portman was born in Jerusalem, Israel, to two Jewish parents. She moved to the states when she was three, and attended Jewish schools all the way to college. Very dedicated to her faith, mother and actress, Portman, has said before she wants to raise her children Jewish.
She met her husband Benjamin Millepied in 2009 while she was filming "Black Swan," and they wed in 2012. In 2014, Portman's husband converted to Judaism.
Ginnifer Goodwin: Judaism with a side of Christianity
The actress was raised in a mixed household of Christianity and Judaism, with her mother taking her to synagogue on Saturdays and her father to church on Sundays.
Goodwin was active in her Reform Jewish temple, Temple Israel, as a youth and teen. She was also an active participant in the B’Nai Brith Youth Organization. She took her bat mitzvah and the study of Judaism quite seriously. I was super Jew, and then I up and left Judaism for a very long time. I flew from Memphis … I flew from Temple Israel … and I flew from my faith. I walked out of Judaism. I had broken my covenant. However, she decided to reconnect to her religion, and remains deeply connected to her faith, despite the drift.
Julia Roberts: Hinduism
Although born a Christian, actress, and producer, Julia Roberts converted to Hinduism later in her life and has remained devoted to date. Her beliefs in Hinduism began sometime around 2009, while she was shooting the romantic comedy-drama, "Eat, Pray, Love."
In an interview to The Hindu, India's National Newspaper 2010, Julia Roberts said, "Ever since I developed my liking and fondness for Hinduism, I have been attracted and deeply fascinated by many facets of the multi-dimensional Hinduism… spirituality in it transcends many barriers of mere religion.”
Mike Tyson: Islam
The former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Mike Tyson has held all three major championship belts that boxing has to offer. In a January 2021 discussion on Hotboxin' With Mike Tyson, he explained how he had been drawn to Islam and studied the religion before he adopted it into his own life in the 1990s.
Mike Tyson adopted a different name after converting to Islam. According to reports, Mike Tyson changed his name to Malik Abdul Aziz after becoming a Muslim. However, he continued to go by “Mike Tyson” throughout his boxing career.
Lupe Fiasco: Islam
Lupe Fiasco, whose real name is Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, was born in Chicago, Illinois. Both of Lupe’s parents are Muslim and Lupe himself strongly identifies with his religious roots. Lupe Fiasco opened up about being a Muslim rapper in an interview for Yahoo's digital Web series, World 3.0.
When asked by Couric if it was "challenging to be a Muslim and a rapper" given the industry's glorification of alcohol and drug use, Fiasco explained how he stays away from temptation. "It just depends on who you put yourself around."
Jermaine Jackson: Islam
Jackson, like the rest of his family, was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, before converting to Islam in 1989 inspired from his stay in Bahrain. “A very short interaction with a group of children ultimately led me to have long discourses about Islam with Muslim scholars,” Jackson expressed in an article published by IslamReligion.com.
"I think if the Western world really looked at Islam for what it really is, and stopped trying to put this terrorist word with Muslims and Islam, the world could be a much better place – because this is the most pure religion ever," Jackson expressed in a 2010 interview with Al-Arabiya TV.
Hailey Baldwin: Christianity
Hailey Baldwin is among the vast celebrity set of Hillsong Church. Baldwin was raised Christian and proudly speaks of how positively it has impacted her life. In an interview with Teen Vogue 2016, Baldwin expresses how everyone in her life that she trusts and admires the most goes to the same church and how devoted she is to her faith.
“I was raised in church. I was brought up in that life, and I think that it's very important for everybody to be in touch with their spirituality and to have a relationship with God. Not everybody is going to believe in the God that I believe in, but it's something that I'm not afraid to share with people because I know how it inspires me,” Baldwin expresses.
Russell Brand: Hinduism (Hare Krishna)
Comedian and actor Russell Brand considers himself "spiritual," and practices Hindu, often attending Hare Krishna services. Brand used to be a Buddhist; now, he believes in a higher power, and the steps are his new faith.
Brand invokes Hare Krishna as a daily part of his life, has a Hindu mentor, and attends temple sporadically. His spirituality was a large part of him overcoming his drug addiction. He remains very interested in the world of religion, he told ES Magazine: "I am very interested in the role that religion and spirituality will play in the further formulation of world events and how secular societies are held together.”
Pink: Judaism
Pink was raised in Pennsylvania by a Catholic father and a Jewish mother. It is traditional in Judaism that religious heritage is passed down through the mother, so Pink would be considered Jewish by fundamental sects of that religion. Pink has herself been admittedly open about following in her mothers religion and being of Jewish faith.
Pink has been introducing her Jewish faith to her children. When Pink performed in Berlin in August 2017, she brought her daughter to the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin. The pop star shared an Instagram post that began with, “It’s incredible to watch neo-nazis march in 2017, while I, a Jewish woman, headline a show in Berlin where these tunnels were built by him, built curvy so he couldn’t be shot in the back.”
Kris Jenner: Christianity
The Kardashian-Jenner family stays relatively quiet about their religious views, but the matriarch of the family is said to have raised her children to be devout Christians. Jenner has spoken about their faith in the past and once told Oprah Winfrey, “Even a family as crazy as ours can have a great relationship with God.”
Jenner is the co-founder of the California Community Church (formerly called the Life Change Church) located in Agoura Hills, California.
Andrew Keegan: Full Circle
While other stars of the 1999 high-school movie 10 Things I Hate About You have gone on to continue their acting careers and star in more films, Keegan has taken a slightly different life direction.
Keegan started his own religion since finishing the film, and even opened his own temple of worship in Venice Beach, California to go with it. The spiritual movement is called Full Circle, and is made up of 8 core members led by Keegan - the "inner circle" - one of which refers to himself as 'Third Eye'.
Laura Prepon: Scientology
Actor Laura Prepon was recognized around the world for her role as Donna in a television show entitled “The 70’s Show”. Prepon identifies with Scientoogy, and is a Scientologist, she has been a member of the Church of Scientology since 1999.
Scientology is a religion where they believe that everyone has a mind and a body to represent himself, but their mind is the true self with positive thoughts. It refers to practical problems, even if the beliefs come from science.
Orlando Bloom: Buddhism
Although raised in the Church of England, Bloom became a Buddhist in 2004. Bloom, a follower of Soka Gakkai Buddhism, made up his mind to join the religion after an eye-opening trip to South Africa in the early 2000s.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Bloom explained that at the time of the trip, he felt so isolated and vulnerable, and the trip gave him time to think. Bloom went on to clarify that the religion provided him with an unshakeable sense of self, and a different perspective to life.
Ice Cube: Islam
The rapper converted to Islam in the 1990s. It is unclear what his religion was before that, if there was one at all. He takes a personal approach to his religion, saying that he isn’t a part of any sect or faction, that his spirituality is personal and is just between him and God.
In an interview with The Guardian, the star expressed, “What I call myself is a natural Muslim, because it’s just me and God. You know, going to the mosque, the ritual and the tradition, it’s just not in me to do. So I don’t do it.”
Richard Gere: Buddhism
Richard Gere is one of the more outspokenly religious celebrities, and his religion of choice is Buddhism. Gere was raised in a Methodist home.
Gere later became captivated with Buddhism while on a trip to Nepal in the late '70s. Since then he has become a practicing Buddhist and a passionate spokesperson for the people of Tibet.
Erika Christensen: Scientology
Christensen is a member of the Church of Scientology. Her parents became Scientologists in their 20s while living in Seattle, and raised Christensen as a Scientologist.
“My parents definitely are Scientologists, approached parenting from a Scientology viewpoint. I know that now as an adult. I can see that in the way that they approached me as a kid and really tried to do what I’m doing now as a parent,” Christensen expressed with Parenthood co-star and on-screen brother Dax Shepard for an episode of his podcast, Armchair Expert.
Katy Perry: Spiritual
Perry was raised in a restrictive, Christian household. Born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, to Pentecostal pastor parents, she frequently attended church and youth groups as a child. The star began singing by joining the church choir. At the age of 16, she embarked on a solo career by releasing a Christian gospel album.
After releasing her gospel album and going on tour she left her Christian bubble for the first time. Perry told Paper Magazine that by the time she was 17, she felt like she was sliding away from God. She later continued, “I’m not Buddhist, I’m not Hindu, I’m not Christian, but I still feel like I have a deep connection with God. I pray all the time– for self control, for humility.”
Martin Sheen: Catholic
Sheen was raised Catholic by devoted Catholic parents. “I am a practicing Catholic,” said Sheen in an interview with Salon. “I love the faith. I’m not nuts about the institution, but the faith is mine, everywhere I go in the world.”
For some time Sheen lost his way with his faith, but returned to his roots while filming in Paris. “I came back with a whole different vision of Catholicism,” he said. “As a result, since then my life has been extremely difficult but equally happy because I have been able to unite the will of the spirit with the work of the flesh if you will,” Sheen expressed in an article by Chicago Catholic.
Denzel Washington: Christian
Two time Oscar winner, Denzel Washington is known for his undeniable talent, his devotion to his family, and his firm faith in God. Denzel was immersed in faith from a very young age, growing up with his father, an ordained Pentecostal minister.
At 65, still at the height of what has been a phenomenal career, Denzel is finally embracing his calling to preach -- and his fame as an actor has given him an unprecedented reach. "I speak now and I'm doing what God told me to do from the beginning. It was prophesized that I would travel the world and preach to millions of people,” Washington expressed in an article by the Christian Post.
Dave Chappelle: Islam
American comedian Dave Chappelle revealed his faith happened at 17 years old, when he was living in Washington, DC, across the street from a pizza shop with a Muslim employee.
Chappelle, was asked about being a Muslim by talk show host David Letterman in his new Netflix show “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.” “It’s a beautiful religion. A beautiful religion. And the ideas in that religion are reflected in all the major Abrahamic faiths. You’ll see these ideas in Christianity and Judaism,” Chappelle expressed.
Madonna: Catholic And Practices The Kabbalah
Madonna was born and raised a Catholic but later developed an interest in Kabbalah after being introduced to it by a friend, the comedian and actress Sandra Bernhard, in 1997. Followers of the faith wear a red string around their wrist to ward off the "evil eye" and believe the path to spiritual enlightenment lies in a mix of Orthodox Jewish tradition and positive thinking.
In an interview with Harpers Baazar, Madonna expressed her feelings toward those who accused her of ‘joining a cult’ and being ‘brainwashed.’ “I am building schools for girls in Islamic countries and studying the Qur’an. I think it is important to study all the holy books. As my friend Yaman always tells me, a good Muslim is a good Jew, and a good Jew is a good Christian, and so forth. I couldn’t agree more,” Madonna expressed.
Candace Cameron: Christian
Candace Cameron along with her brother Kirk have not been shy about expressing their beliefs. It was due to her brother’s influence, Kirk Cameron, that she became a dedicated Christian at the age of 12. Back in July 2020, Cameron Bure told Fox News that she is proud of her religion and beliefs.
"My faith is really the foundation of who I am," she said at the time. "It’s so important to me, and it’s always a part of me, whether it’s at home and privately, or when I’m reading the Bible in Bible study. But also at work, and the choices I make within work, and the companies I choose to work with and the projects that I choose to take on."
Mark Wahlberg: Catholic
According to Catholic Herald in the U.K, Wahlberg begins every day in prayer at a local Catholic Church, wherever he is. “Being a Catholic is the most important aspect of my life.”
He has been open about being a devout Catholic, and the part religion plays in his life. “My faith has given me everything. It’s helped me find purpose and discipline and allowed me to succeed in my work. It’s also enabled me to lead a good family life and enjoy a wonderful marriage where I dedicate myself every day to their happiness and well-being,” Wahlberg expressed.
Tom Cruise: Scientology
Cruise was introduced to Scientology by his ex-wife, Mimi Rogers, in 1986. Tom Cruise has often been guarded about his association with the religion when speaking to media outlets and speaking out about his beliefs, but on rare occasions has spoken out.
In a 2008 film for the church,Cruise said it was a "privilege to be called a Scientologist". He said: "As a Scientologist, he or she has the ability to create a better reality and quality of life and improve conditions".
Kristin Chenoweth: Liberal Christian
Chenoweth has spoken publicly about her religious faith; she describes herself as a "non-judgmental, liberal Christian". She is a firm believer in equal rights for all despite being devoted to her faith.
In an interview with Fox & Friends Chenoweth expressed "It's been an interesting journey being in show business and being a Christian," the Broadway star admitted. "I'm an LGBTQ activist and sometimes that doesn't always go together, you know? But, I just keep trying to say, 'What would Jesus do?' and that's the way I live my life."
Akon: Islam
The R&B Singer identifies as a Muslim. In 2015, Akon spoke to The National about Islam, and the relationship between his religion and his faith.
"I was born a Muslim and, depending on what part of Senegal you came from, music was considered haram [unlawful] and there has always been a debate about Islam and music.” He continues, "I never looked at the performing aspect of the music itself but on the intention. Even if you look at the daily prayers in Islam we pray in melody, when we hear the call to prayer in any part of the world it is also done with melody, so no one can tell me that music is haram.”
Zayn Malik: Islam
The former One Direction band member was raised Muslim by his mother, who converted to the religion, and his British-Pakistani father.
During an interview with Vogue, when asked whether he counts himself as especially religious? “To be honest, I’ve never spoken publicly about what my religious beliefs are. I’m not professed to be a Muslim.” Would he call himself a Muslim now? “No, I wouldn’t,” he says thoughtfully. “I believe whatever people’s religious beliefs are is between them and whoever or whatever they’re practicing. For me, I have a spiritual belief of there is a god. Do I believe there’s a hell? No,” Malik expressed.
Bella Hadid: Islam
Hadid's father, Mohamed Hadid, is a Muslim who was born in Nazareth. Hadid strongly identifies as a muslim, and confirmed this during an interview with Vogue where she expressed, “I am proud to be a Muslim.”
In 2017 the model marched in protest of President Trump's order seeking to halt refugees and visitors from seven predominantly Muslim countries. “My dad was a refugee. He came from Palestine to America when he was a baby. Thankfully, he was able to come, but it was very hard and now it’s probably 100 times harder. It makes me sad that power is getting taken from a lot of people and they’re not able to make a new life for their children and their families. It’s crazy to me that one person can tell you whether or not you can have a better life."
Ramy Youssef: Islam
Ramy Youssef, creator and star of the Hulu series "Ramy.” Youssef’s series is based around a dark comedy which is loosely based on Youssef's life as a first-generation Muslim American millennial. It explores the struggles that come with balancing these identity struggles while managing systemic societal stereotypes.
It's a show that, even when it challenges or provokes, puts honesty above all else, allowing its viewers to have conversations they may never have had otherwise.
Shaquille O'Neal: Islam
American former professional basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA.
Although he identifies with the Islamic faith, O’Neal remains aware and respectful of other faiths. In an interview with PR.com O'Neal feels it’s important not to exclude or alienate others of different faiths. “You believe what they believe, you respect what they respect, and you respect that person as a man or a woman, and you’ll make it far in life. Fact is I’m Muslim, I’m Jewish, I’m Buddhist, I’m everybody ‘cause I’m a people person,” he shared.
Riz Ahmed: Islam
Earlier this year, the Sound of Metal star became the first Muslim to be nominated for best actor at the Oscars. The british actor and rapper launched a fund to help combat "toxic portrayals" of Muslims in films. According to BBC News, the move came after a study that showed Muslims rarely appear on screen, or are shown in a negative light if they do.
“I'm fed up of seeing Muslim characters on screen either negative or non existent. The industry must change. Our new study proves what many of us always felt about #MuslimsInFilm. The cost is measured in hate & lost lives,” Ahmed tweeted.
Shohreh Aghdashloo: Islam
Iranian American actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in “House of Sand and Fog” (2003), identifies as a Mulsim.
In her memoir Aghdashloo writes about her life journey from Tehran under siege to Hollywood, “The Alley of Love and Yellow Jasmines.” When asked by the Los Angeles Times if Aghdashloo was proud to open the door for other Middle Eastern actors to get roles that aren’t terrorists, she was pleased with the outcome of her memoir on this topic. “I haven’t played a terrorist since “24,” and believe me, when I chose the role it wasn’t because of its political background but [because] the role was so dimensional,” Aghdashloo expressed.
DJ Khaled: Islam
The Grammy Award-winning music producer is a proud Muslim. In a 2018 interview with Esquire, the star opened up about his faith. "It's life for me. I was born Muslim, my family raised me Muslim. It's beautiful, it's amazing, it's incredible and it has put so many blessings upon me and my family.”
His positivity and passion for his faith is undeniable, “My faith has helped make me the man I am right now, with the love and the respect that I put out there. I love anybody that loves God. That’s what I am about,” he expressed.
Aasif Mandvi: Islam
Mandvi was born in Bombay, Maharashtra, India, to a Dawoodi Bohra Muslim family. Mandvi doesn’t claim to be the most devout of Muslims, but says the religion will always define a part of him, and feels like there is always a reason to have to defend the faith, expressing these frustrations in a Live interview with the HuffPost.
“The implication that Islam was somehow like a Led Zeppelin album, with backwards satanic messages. Or that jihad had something to do with the destruction of America, even though Muhammad the prophet lived centuries before America was discovered and that would be like the mother of all preemptive strikes,” Mandvi told host Marc Lamont Hill.
Omar Sharif: Islam
Raised as a Roman Catholic, Sharif converted to Islam and married Hamama in 1955, and formally changing his name. Omar Sharif, was a beloved Egyptian-born Hollywood actor and co-star of “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Doctor Zhivago,” two of the most acclaimed films of all time.
Despite his many successes, the greatest achievement of Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, may have been to prove that simple nonchalance may be the best path for mutual tolerance between religions. He felt very strongly for this cause and remained dedicated to it up until his death in 2015.