You’ve seen them on the red carpet. You’ve watched them win Grand Slams. You’ve probably even screamed their lyrics at the top of your lungs in a crowded stadium. But there’s a side to some of the world’s biggest icons that feels almost jarringly quiet compared to their public lives. I’m talking about the famous faces who belong to—or were raised in—the world of Jehovah's Witnesses.
It’s a group often misunderstood. People usually think of two things: the magazines at your door on a Saturday morning and the lack of birthday cake. But when you mix that strict, disciplined lifestyle with the glitz of Hollywood or the intensity of professional sports, things get complicated. Fast.
Why We Care About Celebrities That Are Jehovah’s Witnesses
The fascination makes sense. We live in a culture of "more." More parties, more politics, more holiday celebrations. Jehovah’s Witnesses, by contrast, live a life of "no." No voting. No blood transfusions. No "Happy Birthday." Seeing someone like Serena Williams navigate that—thanking Jehovah after a massive win while the world watches—is a trip. It challenges our idea of what a "celebrity" is allowed to be.
Serena and Venus Williams: The Tennis Titans
Honestly, the Williams sisters are the first names everyone brings up. They were raised in the faith by their mother, Oracene Price. While their father, Richard, wasn't a Witness, he respected the hustle and the discipline the religion instilled.
Serena has been pretty vocal about it, especially since becoming a mom to Olympia. She famously told Vogue that she didn't celebrate Olympia’s first birthday because "we’re Jehovah’s Witnesses, so we don't do that."
However, it’s not all or nothing. Serena has admitted she hasn't always "practiced" perfectly. She didn't get baptized until early 2023 at an assembly in Florida. That’s a huge deal in that community. Baptism isn't just a ritual; it's a lifelong commitment to the organization’s rules. For a woman who spent decades in the "worldly" spotlight of professional tennis, that move showed she was serious about her spiritual goals over her public persona.
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The Prince Realization
Then there’s Prince. The Purple One. The man who wrote "Sexy MF" eventually became one of the most dedicated Jehovah's Witnesses in the industry. He didn't call it a "conversion." He called it a "realization."
After a two-year-long theological debate with bassist Larry Graham (of Sly and the Family Stone fame), Prince took the plunge in 2001. He actually went door-to-door in suburban Minnesota. Can you imagine opening your door and seeing Prince holding a Watchtower? It happened.
His faith changed his art, too. He stopped performing some of his more explicit songs. He became known for his refusal to use "dirty" language. When he died in 2016, reports surfaced that his refusal of a hip replacement might have been linked to the religion's ban on blood transfusions, though that remains a point of heavy debate among fans and biographers.
The Ones Who Left the Fold
Growing up in a strict religious environment often leads to one of two things: total devotion or a very public exit. A lot of the celebrities that are Jehovah’s Witnesses (or were) fall into the latter camp.
Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) talks about his upbringing quite a bit. He grew up in a household where being a Witness made him feel like an outsider. No Christmas. No Halloween. In interviews, he’s mentioned how that "otherness" actually helped his creativity. It gave him a different lens to view the world. Today, he identifies as an atheist.
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Naomi Campbell is another one. The supermodel was raised in the faith but hasn't practiced for years. Recently, she was spotted meeting the Pope, which is a massive "no-go" for active Witnesses, as they view other religions as "Great Babylon."
Then you have the Wayans family. Marlon Wayans has been open about his father’s strict religious beliefs. While most of the siblings have moved on to different spiritual paths, that foundation of discipline—and the "us against the world" mentality—is something they often credit for their tight-knit family bond.
The Supermodel Exception: Coco Rocha
Usually, the fashion world and strict religion mix like oil and water. But Coco Rocha is the outlier. She’s a practicing Jehovah's Witness and she’s remarkably firm about her boundaries.
- No nudity.
- No lingerie shoots.
- No cigarettes or religious symbols in photos.
She’s basically proven you can reach the top of a "sinful" industry without compromising your core values. She still goes to meetings. She still shares her faith. It’s a rare balance.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think if you’re a Witness, you’re "trapped." But for these stars, it’s often a choice of identity. For someone like Marques Houston, the R&B singer, finding the faith later in life was a way to escape the chaos of the music industry. He regularly posts about his ministry work now, seemingly happier than he ever was at the height of his "Immature" fame.
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The shunning aspect is the "elephant in the room." If a baptized member leaves (disfellowshipping), their family and friends who are still in the faith are supposed to limit or cut off contact. This is why the stakes are so high for someone like Serena Williams or Coco Rocha. It’s not just a hobby; it’s their entire social fabric.
Practical Insights for the Curious
If you’re looking into this because you’re interested in the lifestyle or just fascinated by the culture, here is the reality of how these celebrities manage the "two worlds" problem:
- Neutrality is Key: You’ll notice these stars almost never comment on politics. They don't vote. They stay "neutral" because their "government" is the Kingdom of God.
- The Holiday "Hump": Social media is a minefield for them. While other celebs are posting Christmas trees, practicing Witnesses stay silent or post about ordinary days.
- The "Blood" Issue: This is the most serious part. Many have medical directives (the "No Blood" card) that specify they will not accept transfusions, even in emergencies, opting for "bloodless" surgery instead.
Understanding these stars requires looking past the "weird" factor. It’s about a specific type of discipline that, for some, provides a necessary anchor in the storm of fame. Whether they stay or leave, the influence of the Kingdom Hall usually leaves a mark on their work and their worldview that never truly fades.
If you want to understand the nuance of these choices, look at the interviews where they discuss their "spiritual goals." It’s often the only time you’ll see the human behind the brand. Move beyond the tabloid headlines and look at the actual doctrine they follow—it explains more about their public behavior than any PR spin ever could.