Not to be believed: the turbulent sect in which Joaquin Phoenix spent his childhood

The world of cinema is full of shocking stories, but few like the childhood of Joaquin Phoenix. Before becoming a star hollywoodthe actor and his family lived in a sectfacing challenges that marked their lives forever. Escaping that environment was not only difficult, but also crucial for the star’s future.

Cults, with their oppressive and manipulative environments, represent a danger to those who belong to them. Phoenix’s story reveals how the desire to find community can become a terrifying experience, especially when initial values ​​transform into something completely dark.

The sect in which Joaquin Phoenix was

During Joaquin’s childhood, his family led a nomadic lifestyle and had little interest in material goods, so they soon became part of the sect known as “The Children of God”, also called “The International Family.” This group, led by David Berg, attracted Joaquin’s parents, Arlyn and John Bottom, who were looking for a community that shared their values. “They were idealists and believed that they were with a group that shared their beliefs and values. “I think they were probably looking for security and a family,” said the actor.

At first, the family adopted the sect’s lifestyle, living in extreme poverty and rejecting traditional jobs. However, the situation changed drastically when serious complaints against the group, including child sexual abuse and exploitation. The final straw was a letter in which Berg asked members to had sexual relations to attract more followers.

Aware of the danger, Arlyn and John decided to leave the sect. They changed the family name to “phoenix“, as a symbol of rebirth, and they returned to USAsettling first in Florida and then in Los Angeles, where they began to rebuild their lives.

Decades later, the actor recalled those years of his childhood: “I had a really wonderful upbringing. We were a united family. It was wonderful growing up with so many siblings. We were all only a year or two apart and were always very supportive of each other. “I learned everything from my older brothers and taught it to my younger sisters.”

How Joaquin Phoenix started in Hollywood

Already in Los Angeles, Joaquin’s mother got a job at NBCwhich allowed the family to connect with the entertainment industry. Taking advantage of their children’s artistic interest, they contacted an agent who agreed to represent them all, marking the beginning of their career in television.

Joaquin, along with his brother River, debuted in the series Seven brides for seven brothers in 1982. By then, Joaquin had decided to call himself “Leaf” to maintain a connection with his brothers’ natural names. “From the first moment in front of the camera, I knew this was what I loved to do.“he recalled in an interview with The Guardian.

The family, faithful to its principles, rejected projects that were not aligned with its values. “We were vegan and refused to do ads for companies like McDonald’s or Coca-Cola“Phoenix confessed. Despite criticism from their agent, this decision strengthened the brothers’ identity in a highly competitive industry.

The Gladiator, his first big success on the big screen

Tragedy struck the Phoenix family in 1993 with River’s death from overdose. Joaquin left the cinema for a while, but returned strongly in 2000 when he played comfortable in Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott. This role marked a before and after in his career.

Interestingly, Phoenix almost abandoned production. According to himself Ridley Scott, the actor expressed insecurity about his performance. “He said, ‘I can’t do it.’ But we managed to support him and continue,” Scott told The New York Times. This support was key for the actor to deliver a memorable performance, which earned him a Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

The experience in Gladiator It was also a “baptism of fire” for Phoenix, as Scott described it. From there, his career took off, establishing himself as one of the most versatile and acclaimed actors in Hollywood.