In a recent episode of the 'Pod Meets World' podcast, actor Andrew Keegan addressed the rumors surrounding his involvement in what was perceived as a cult. Known for his roles in popular 90s TV shows like '7th Heaven' and 'Party of Five,' Keegan wanted to set the record straight and debunk the headlines that labeled him as a cult leader.
Keegan explained that in his early 20s, he moved to Venice Beach and became immersed in the local culture and community. He connected with a group of like-minded individuals who had previously participated in Occupy Wall Street. Together, they saw an opportunity to make a positive impact and decided to open up an old Hare Krishna Temple.
The group, named Full Circle, began their journey in 2014. Keegan invested a significant amount of his own money into the venture, and over the course of three years, they built a vibrant and tight-knit community. Keegan emphasized that their intention was never to create a cult or promote any specific doctrine. They simply aimed to gather people together, foster friendship, and provide a space for community events.
However, the label of a cult began to circulate when a Vice reporter visited Full Circle and published an article in 2014 titled 'One of the Stars of '10 Things I Hate About You' Started a Religion.' The article depicted Keegan as the leader with ultimate authority, which Keegan admits was partly his fault for not having adequate media training at the time.
Despite the negative press, Keegan insists that the reality was far from what the stories portrayed. Full Circle was more akin to a communal gathering, a community center of sorts, where people participated in events, parties, and discussions. Keegan underlined the fact that there was no specific agenda or doctrine driving their activities.
Co-host Danielle Fishel, who was close friends with Keegan, compared Full Circle to a group of people at Burning Man rather than a dangerous cult like Heaven's Gate. Keegan agreed, suggesting that the name Full Circle may have contributed to the misconceptions.
Addressing the rumors of defamation, Keegan mentioned that he filed a lawsuit against AEG and Newsmax in September 2015. The lawsuit stemmed from an article that falsely claimed Keegan was arrested for selling alcoholic kombucha without a permit, an incident that allegedly occurred at Full Circle. However, the case was later dismissed.
Reflecting on his experience, Keegan now sees the ridiculousness of being labeled a cult leader. He humorously considers it a 'badge of honor' because, as he said, he doesn't know of anyone else who has been called such a thing.
In conclusion, the podcast episode provided Andrew Keegan with the platform to address the rumors surrounding Full Circle and dispel the notion that he was a cult leader. Keegan emphasized that their intentions were always positive and focused on building a supportive community. Despite the negative press and legal battles, Keegan remains resilient, realizing that the truth often gets lost in sensationalized headlines.
