Cinema's most important awards ceremony is also stage to beautiful moments between couples
Like politics, it's not polite to discuss religion over dinner. But for many, religion is a major part of life that's worth discussing. Some public figures openly share their religious choices, while others choose to keep quiet about their spiritual beliefs. The decision is deeply personal, frequently influenced by factors like marriage, trauma, or a quest for meaning.
Curious to find out which celebrities have experienced a change of faith in their lives? Then click on to see the stars who converted.
The late Irish singer, best known for her 1990 hit version of the song 'Nothing Compares 2 U,' announced in 2018 she converted to Islam, changing her name to Shuhada' Sadaqat.
O'Connor was raised a Roman Catholic but spoke out against the abuses of the Catholic Church frequently throughout her life. She said that her decision was "the natural conclusion of any intelligent theologian's journey." O'Connor sadly passed away in 2023.
Sofia Richie revealed on social media that she converted to Judaism prior to her 2023 wedding to Elliot Grainge, who is the son of Universal Music Group chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge. Sofia was raised Christian by her father Lionel Richie and even attended Oaks Christian School in California for a few years, but she said converting has been one of the greatest experiences of her life.
On her Instagram Story on April 3, 2023, the 24-year-old shared a photo of herself signing a document written in Hebrew and wrote, "What a magical day. I want to thank cantor Nathan Lam for helping me along this journey of converting to Judaism. It has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Today was that day!!!” she concluded, adding five Star of David emojis.
For Shia LaBeouf, his religious awakening came after he starred in the 2022 movie 'Padre Pio.' The movie tells the story of the famous Catholic saint of the same name, with LaBeouf playing the titular character. The controversial star has gained a reputation as a method actor, and true to form, he went to live in a Capuchin monastery to prepare for the role. "I know now that God was using my ego to draw me to Him. Drawing me away from worldly desires. It was all happening simultaneously," he explained on the 'Bishop Barron Presents' podcast.
LaBeouf revealed that he was in a dark place at the time, following public accusations of physical and abuse by his ex-girlfriend, FKA Twigs. He shared that he was even considering taking his own life, but found forgiveness and salvation in Catholicism. "It was seeing other people who have sinned beyond anything I could ever conceptualize also being found in Christ that made me feel like, 'Oh, that gives me hope.'" LaBeouf was raised by a Jewish mother and previously practiced Judaism.
Since marrying Joshua Kushner in 2018, the supermodel has converted to Judaism.
Raised by a Quaker and a Roman Catholic, the actress converted to Judaism as an adult.
The son of the first ordained female African-American Unitarian Universalist minister, he became a Muslim in the late '90s.
The famous singer was raised Roman Catholic before getting deeply involved in Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism.
Tyson became a Muslim while he was in prison. He continued to practice the faith even after he completed his sentence.
An outspoken critic of Scientology, Remini was with the Church until 2013. She has embraced Catholicism since her departure.
Once a practicing Jew, Dylan became a Christian later in life.
The rapper has switched religions multiple times. The religions he's dabbled in include Islam, Mormonism, and Rastafarianism.
Raised as a Catholic, Travolta later became a Scientologist.
Turner converted to Buddhism as an adult.
Fisher, who attended Methodist Ladies' College, became Jewish after she married her ex-husband, actor Sacha Baron Cohen.
Barrymore converted to Judaism in 2012 when she married Will Kopelman and committed to raising their children Jewish. They divorced in 2016.
The actor is a Buddhist, but used to be Anglican before converting.
Monroe’s mother was a Christian Scientist, but Monroe converted to Judaism when she married Arthur Miller.
The former Scientologist converted to Buddhism.
Abdul-Jabbar changed his name from Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor when he converted to Islam in the late '60s.
Previously a Christian, Banks embraced Judaism when she married Max Handelman.
The former Catholic became a born-again Christian in the late '90s.
The actress married Steven Spielberg and converted to Judaism. She was originally Episcopalian.
Marley denounced Rastafarianism and became a Christian before his death.
Black was raised Jewish, but didn’t so much formally convert as become "kind of an atheist" for a while. Apparently since becoming a dad, he’s returned to Judaism.
Seagal reportedly converted to Buddhism.
The rapper converted to Islam in the '90s.
Raised Catholic, Gere later became a Buddhist.
The singer reportedly converted to Judaism.
Alice Cooper was born to an evangelist pastor. He left the Church and then returned to it after some time, crediting Christianity for saving him from his alcohol addiction.
Though she was raised Catholic, Roberts eventually converted to Hinduism.
In one of the more surprising twists of 2023, YoungBoy NBA revealed a change of faith. The 'Bad Morning' rapper appeared in a Billboard cover story on February 1 in which he detailed his religious awakening and change of direction. The 23-year-old has experienced a rapid rise to fame with five of his eight albums released in 2022 making it into Billboard's top 10. He has had connections to Salt Lake City, Utah, for several years, and when he was sentenced to house arrest for a 2020 weapons charge, he decided to take up residence in the predominantly Mormon community.
The first time two Mormon missionaries knocked on his door he sent them away, but after reflecting, he realized that he "wanted help very badly." When they came back, he invited them in and opened up to them about all the changes he desperately wanted to make. "It was just cool to see someone with a different mindset that had nothing to do with business or money—just these wonderful souls,” he recalled. The missionaries began to visit him daily and he is prepared for his official baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. YoungBoy says he was “very wrong about a lot of things" and regrets the violent lyrics that were common in his early music.
The filmmaker became a Buddhist as an adult, but was raised Episcopalian.
Raised as Christian Scientist, she later converted to Judaism in 1959, adopting the Hebrew name Elisheba Rachel.
Born into a Catholic family, this former Beatle embraced Indian culture and became a Hindu as an adult.
Bowie explored several religions throughout his lifetime including: Tibetan Buddhism, Satanism, and Christianity, and even called himself an "almost atheist" at one point. His death was marked according to Buddhist rituals, as was his final wish outlined in his will.
This bombshell became a Christian in 1957. Some believe this was the reason she left the modeling world.
The Indian film star converted to Islam before marrying her spouse. Previously she was a Hindu.
Journalist Connie Chung also converted to Judaism prior to marriage.
The musician converted to Islam in 2009.
The actor became a born-again Christian after suffering a drug overdose.
The former Catholic notoriously joined the Church of Scientology.
Holmes converted to Scientology when she married Tom Cruise, but following their divorce she returned to the Catholic Church.
Moby converted to Christianity, even though he has been hesitant to call himself a Christian in the past.
Trump notoriously converted to Judaism before marrying Jared Kushner.
In the early 2000s, Baldwin became a born-again Christian.
After her marriage to Ted Turner, Fonda converted to Christianity.
Celebrities who have changed religions
They converted to new faiths for fascinating reasons
CELEBRITY Faith
Like politics, it's not polite to discuss religion over dinner. But for many, religion is a major part of life that's worth discussing. Some public figures openly share their religious choices, while others choose to keep quiet about their spiritual beliefs. The decision is deeply personal, frequently influenced by factors like marriage, trauma, or a quest for meaning.
Curious to find out which celebrities have experienced a change of faith in their lives? Then click on to see the stars who converted.