Hollywood Celebrities Who Were Raised Mormons
Plenty of big names started in pews, Primary classes, and youth activities. Some still identify with the church; others moved on. The shared thread is a childhood shaped by rules, community, and Sunday routines. Here’s a straight look at who grew up Latter-day Saint and what they’ve said about it, from fond memories to clear breaks with the faith.
Ryan Gosling
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Ryan Gosling grew up in a deeply religious home where the church influenced everything, down to meals and movies. He told The Guardian his mother later called herself a “religious zealot,” but the experience helped him become more confident speaking and performing in public.
Katherine Heigl
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The Heigl family joined the church after her brother’s tragic fate in 1986. Her parents were searching for answers, and the faith helped them cope. She’s no longer active but has said that the structure and discipline gave her a grounded childhood. It also shaped how she approached her relationship with Josh Kelley.
David Archuleta
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David Archuleta took a break from music in 2012 to serve as a missionary. Yet after coming out, he struggled to reconcile his identity with church teachings until he eventually stepped back. Still, he’s careful to separate the institution from the people, many of whom supported him.
Christina Aguilera
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Before pop stardom, Christina Aguilera’s roots were in a Mormon household. Her parents, both members of the church, married at an LDS temple in Washington, D.C. Aguilera later distanced herself from the religion and now identifies as Roman Catholic. Her early upbringing rarely comes up in interviews.
Julianne Hough
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Julianne Hough grew up following all the rules: no drinking, no caffeine, no R-rated movies. In interviews, she’s said she’s glad she was raised Mormon, even if she doesn’t practice now. That foundation, she explained to the New York Post, helped shape her values and work ethic.
Dan Reynolds
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The Imagine Dragons frontman has spoken candidly about his departure from the faith. He now calls out the church’s treatment of some youth. He’s still close to his family, despite their religious differences, and has said publicly that following his truth was necessary for his mental health.
Amy Adams
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Amy Adams remembers her Mormon upbringing more for its emotional impact than its theology. She’s admitted to carrying a sense of guilt years later, especially around having “too much fun.” She described herself as a rule-follower who struggled with religious expectations but also said the experience shaped her values.
Brandon Flowers
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He remains one of the most prominent Mormons in music today. Brandon Flowers still practices and talks openly about his faith. He once mentioned that drinking Coca-Cola was culturally frowned upon when his family converted. Though he doesn’t follow every suggestion perfectly—he says he’s “terrible” at the monthly fasting.
Derek Hough
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Derek Hough called his childhood “very Mormon” in his memoir. Like his sister Julianne, he followed church guidelines while growing up—no swearing, no intimacy before marriage, no smoking. Though he left the church as an adult, he hasn’t dismissed it completely and has spoken respectfully about his past.
Chelsea Handler
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Chelsea Handler’s childhood featured two religious influences: a Jewish father and a Mormon mother. She once joked she chose Judaism because Mormonism “is so ridiculous.” The comedian doesn’t hold back when talking about her upbringing, but her comments reflect the kind of blunt honesty she’s known for.
Paul Walker
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The late actor came from a traditional Mormon family and attended a born-again Christian high school. In a GQ interview, Walker said his daughter encouraged him to keep acting because she loved traveling with him—something that clashed with the parenting ideals he grew up with.
Brendon Urie
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Panic! at the Disco’s Brendon Urie left Mormonism behind in adulthood but kept some of the values. He appreciated the sense of community growing up, but felt judged for not fitting a certain mold. He said he still uses lessons from the church, even as he criticizes the pressure.
Win Butler
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Arcade Fire’s frontman was raised Mormon by his mother. While he doesn’t discuss religion as much as others on this list, the connection has been noted in profiles and fan discussions over the years. His religious background is one of several surprising details in his otherwise indie-rock narrative.
Benson Boone
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Singer-songwriter Benson Boone told Rolling Stone in 2025 that he never fully connected with the religious feelings others at church described. That made him question his faith early on, but he kept quiet out of fear. It wasn’t until he opened up to a friend—who admitted feeling the same—that he started to step back.
Donny and Marie Osmond
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The Osmond siblings are practically synonymous with Mormon culture. Unlike many others on this list, they’ve stayed faithful their entire lives. Their family’s squeaky-clean image was aligned with their beliefs. Performing for decades while sticking to church teachings, the Osmonds became the unofficial face of Mormon showbiz for a generation.