"cult" involvement a black hole for hollywood stars?

[katty]

continues/news at: http://www.cultnews.com/

September 14, 2005 ::
Can “cult” involvement become a “black hole” for Hollywood stars?

Guy Ritchie "cult" career casuality? (image)

Groups that have been called “cults” such as Scientology and the Kabbalah Centre include many celebrities and claim that their teachings somehow enhance a person’s life, notably the hi-profile stars that tout them.

However, do Hollywood stars ultimately benefit or lose because of these groups? Have they been sucked into something like a “black hole” that instead of increasing their success may limit or even extinguish their light?

Certainly, stars like John Travolta, Madonna and Tom Cruise want the public to think that their spiritual commitment has somehow elevated them in virtually every aspect of their lives, but what about their careers?

John Travolta’s career has been plummeting ever since he signed off on a Scientology-linked film called “Battlefield Earth,” which was reviewed as one of the worst movies of all time and based upon a book by his hero L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.

Since then Travolta has increasingly become Scientology’s paunchy pitchman, jetting himself around for the religion’s related photo ops while his career crashes.

Arguably since Madonna took up with the Kabbalah Centre her career likewise has been steadily trending downward.

A pop music queen in the 1980s Madonna doesn’t seem to be following in the footsteps of Cher and Tina Turner who maintained their standing for decades, instead the 47-year-old star may burn out before reaching fifty.

The one-time “Material Girl” trained in dance now apparently dances to the tune of her spiritual mentors. The singer’s most recent concert tour included a flashing light show in Hebrew and Kabbalah Centre souvenirs for sale, but her fans don’t seem to be buying it.