Stars Who Are Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses are a division of Christians who follow their own version of the Bible called New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Beliefs vary among individuals, but The Sun reports that some of the church's more controversial rules include restrictions on sexual activity (before and after marriage), and dating is usually looked down upon unless a chaperone is present. There are also prohibitions on committing acts of patriotism (like reciting the Pledge of Allegiance), voting, and political campaigning, as those actions could be considered worship of a false idol. 

Most Jehovah's Witnesses also don't celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Easter, or many other holidays, as they believe Jesus never celebrated his own birthday and that many of the traditions associated with certain Christian festivities are rooted in Paganism. They also oppose war, and many do not believe in blood transfusions.

In stricter sects, Jehovah's Witnesses are discouraged from befriending anyone not in the religion. Some members may also have doomsday and Armageddon beliefs.

The most commonly known teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses is that of their membership drives, which is why many members go door to door in efforts to gain more converts and followers of the religion.

Believe it or not, in the hedonistic world of Hollywood, there are quite a few practicing Jehovah's Witnesses. These stars are all believers.

Supermodel Coco Rocha's beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness determine the types of fashion campaigns in which she participates — and she says she still preaches door to door looking for converts.

"The whole purpose is to inform people. Some people think we're a pushy religion, but if you're not interested, just say so," she once told DuJour magazine.

As far as her religion influences her style choices on the runway and in print campaigns, Rocha explained, "It's just my boobs aren't out. And I don't have a cigarette in my hand, and I'm not making out with a guy. And it's all fine if you want to do that. I don't judge. My besties do Victoria's Secret. I just don't do it."

But her beliefs did cost her work early on. "In the beginning, the clients would say, 'This is too much,' but over time, the ones I liked kept working with me," she said. Her rules include "no religious artifacts, no government artifacts," and shoots with male models are limited to being fully or mostly clothed and less suggestive than typical campaigns.

Indeed Rocha's been open about her religion for a while, previously telling Fashion magazine, that she wouldn't sacrifice her beliefs for her job (via the Daily Mail). "I'm a Christian first," she said, "and a model second."

Former child star Marques Houston revealed on his Instagram account in July 2016 that he goes door to door seeking converts to the Jehovah's Witness religion. Critics and trolls responded to his post by writing, "Go home Roger," a reference to his annoying character Roger Evans on the '90s family comedy Sister, Sister. Houston, however, was unfazed, later posting a meme himself of his character with "Go home Roger" as a caption.

A month later, he was baptized into the church, which he fondly honored two years later. Sharing a snapshot from his big day, he wrote, "2 years ago I made the best decision I could have ever made. I dedicated myself to my Heavenly Father #Jehovah and became one of Jehovah's Witnesses." And Houston is clearly super proud of his faith, given that his Instagram bio reads, at the time of this writing, "Always keeping Jehovah # 1."

While many members of the Wayans family were raised as Jehovah's Witnesses, Damon Wayans may be the only one still openly and actively practicing. His brother Keenan Ivory Wayans explained of their upbringing, "My dad was the Jehovah's Witness. My mom was not, and there was always conflict about that. And that was part of the humor of my house. The clashes that ensued were priceless. ... My mom was one of the funniest people when she was angry. I think that impacted us more than anything. Growing up, when we got mad we tended to think funny."

Damon told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel of their strict parents, "Our parents, to their credit, never said 'Stop having fun.' They kept us close, and we had to be upstairs at 6 o'clock. They didn't want us to run in the streets." He added that he and his brothers would entertain one another and, if anyone got into trouble with their parents, they'd mock that brother if he cried during a spanking.

Damon was also photographed at the Memorial of Christ's Death in 2017 with his wife, son and Happy Endings actor Damon Wayans Jr., and the rest of his children.