HOYT RICHARDS: MODEL BEHAVIOR – Nantucket Magazine
“Meanwhile, Richards’ modeling career continued to skyrocket, earning him millions of dollars – nearly every cent of which he handed over to the cult. He wasn’t just the golden boy; von Mierers also manipulated him into becoming the golden goose for the group…the cult made his life a living hell. They shaved his head weekly so that he couldn’t model anymore. He was forced into months of menial labor while also being subjected to various forms of mental torture such as sleep deprivation, isolation and being screamed at for hours on end. “The group crushed my self-esteem and made me feel totally worthless,” Richards reflects. Reaching his breaking point, he contemplated suicide. Instead, he decided he needed to escape.”
The cultists took most of his money and when he tried to break free they began shaving his head, torturing him and interfering with his career. Sound familiar?