Shia LaBeouf Embraces Catholicism: A Fresh Start
Individuals Adopting Catholicism as Their Belief System - High-Profile Individuals Advocating for Catholicism
The Pope Leo XIV, Robert F. Prevost, has sent shockwaves around the globe, not just within the Catholic Church. With a renewed interest in the faith, several celebrities are openly sharing their Catholic beliefs or even converting. Among these high-profile figures are actors like Shia LaBeouf and Russell Brand who have faced controversy in the past. Currently, they present themselves as transformational believers.
Say Hello to Shia LaBeouf
Actor Shia LaBeouf has made headlines for years due to controversies - professionally due to excessive method acting and questionable behavior on set, and privately due to serious allegations. In 2020, musician FKA Twigs sued him for emotional and physical abuse. Not long after, singer Sia, who was previously connected to LaBeouf, made similar claims. His battles with alcoholism added to the drama.
However, the "Transformers" star claims to have changed his ways. In a recent interview with "The Hollywood Reporter," LaBeouf discussed his spiritual void contributing to his past errors.
The turning point came in 2022. Preparing for the role of Saint Padre Pio in the film "Padre Pio," inspired by his research, LaBeouf declared in an interview with American Bishop Robert Barron that he had converted to Catholicism. In January 2024, he formally joined the Catholic Church through the sacrament of confirmation. While the Catholic News Agency reported that LaBeouf aims to serve as a deacon.
JD Vance, Then and Now
JD Vance didn't just switch from being a Trump critic to becoming his vice president, but also from Protestantism to Catholicism. Vance grew up in a conservative, evangelical environment. Later, he experienced a "furious atheist phase."
His interest in faith was rekindled when he encountered Catholic theology, particularly its intellectual depth. Vance was baptized and received the sacrament of confirmation in 2019. Interestingly, he is the second Catholic vice president in U.S. history, after the later President Joe Biden.
Russell Brand Finds His Faith
For a long time, Russell Brand admired Buddhist teachings, but in April 2024, the actor and comedian was publicly baptized in the Thames by adventurer Bear Grylls. It remains unclear if Brand aligns with the Catholic Church or Protestantism, but his proximity to Catholic practice is striking: he has already publicly prayed the rosary and financially supported a Catholic meditation app.
Brand's religious conversion coincided with several women accusing his ex-wife, Katy Perry, of sexual abuse. In interviews, Brand shared that he has spent intense time engaging with Jesus – someone who also suffered. He described his baptism as a symbolic act of purification, wanting to purge himself of sins.
Rob Schneider's Religious Journey
Another comedian, Rob Schneider, publicly announced his conversion to Catholicism on his 60th birthday. Best known for "Saturday Night Live," Schneider is the son of a Jewish father and Catholic mother. Despite growing up religiously, he lost touch with his faith later. In an interview with the CBN network, he recounted his return to the Catholic Church.
Britney Spears' Religious Quest
Not just male stars, but female celebrities have been drawn to the Catholic Church in recent years. In 2021, Britney Spears proclaimed via Instagram, "I'm now Catholic... let's pray,". Spears, who was raised in the Baptist faith, displayed a dress she wore to mass in the video.
However, her spiritual journey was short. In 2022, Britney Spears revealed she had lost her faith, identfying herself as an "atheist." Amid her public dispute with ex-husband Kevin Federline over their children, she expressed, "I don't believe in God anymore because of how my kids and family have treated me."
- Shia LaBeouf, in the midst of his controversial past, has now converted to Catholicism, aiming to serve as a deacon, as reported by the Catholic News Agency.
- Russell Brand, once an admirer of Buddhist teachings, underwent a public baptism in the Thames in April 2024, hinting at a potential shift towards Catholicism or Protestantism.
- Rob Schneider, known for his work on "Saturday Night Live," publicly announced his conversion to Catholicism on his 60th birthday, marking a return to his faith after growing up in a religiously mixed home.
- Britney Spears, who was previously raised in the Baptist faith, declared herself Catholic on Instagram in 2021, but later revealed her loss of faith in 2022 amid a public dispute with her ex-husband, attributing it to the way her children and family had treated her.
