For more than two decades, Hoyt Richards, one of the most popular male supermodels of the 80s and 90s, lived a double life. While on the catwalk he worked with the most prestigious fashion brands and was photographed by the biggest names in the industry, in his private life he was under the control of a cult that sacrificed his career, wealth and family relationships.

His story is told in the HBO documentary "Breathing Through the Darkness," where Richards tells for the first time how he was manipulated by Frederick von Mierers, a man who built a cult based on mystical theories, deception, and psychological control.

A meeting that changed everything

It all started when Richards was just 16 years old. On a beach on the island of Nantucket in Massachusetts, he met Frederick von Mierers, a man in his 30s, charismatic and very persuasive.

Von Mierers talked to him about Eastern philosophy, astrology, and reincarnation, but above all he convinced the teenager that he was an extraordinary man with a special mission on Earth. Over the years, while Richards studied at Princeton University, his influence grew stronger, until he began to trust the “guru” more than his family or friends. Frederick von Mierers, whose real name was Fred Meyers from Brooklyn, presented himself as a European aristocrat and claimed to have been possessed by an extraterrestrial being from the star Arcturus. He also said that he was the reincarnation of the prophet Jeremiah and that the end of the world would come in 1999.

According to him, only physically "perfect" people would survive and lead humanity into a new era. For this reason, he recruited mainly beautiful models, whom he considered "the chosen ones."

The group included several well-known fashion names, while Italian supermodel Fabio Lanzoni quickly left after realizing something was wrong.

The sect, called “Eternal Values,” controlled every aspect of its members’ lives. They were encouraged to cut off contact with their families, live together, and obey their leader unconditionally. Von Mierers decided what they could eat, who they could have sex with, and even used public humiliation to keep those who opposed him under control.

Another source of income was the sale of gemstones, which were attributed with healing powers. Through false appraisals and paid "spiritual consultations", he profited millions of dollars from his followers.

At the peak of his career, Hoyt Richards was one of the highest-paid male models in the world. He worked with designer Donna Karan, was photographed by Bruce Weber and posed with Cindy Crawford. However, almost all of his income ended up in the sect's accounts. Richards himself believed that he was an "alien consciousness" from Arcturus and that he had a crucial role in saving humanity.

It is estimated that over 20 years he donated over $4 million to the sect. Richards' mother and siblings became suspicious when he started talking about aliens and transferring all his profits to the von Mierers' family.

They also staged an attempt to remove him from the sect, but they failed. After that, Richards cut off almost all contact with his family, believing them to represent "negative energy."

The investigation that brought down the cult

In 1990, journalist Marie Brenner published an investigation in Vanity Fair magazine, where she revealed the true identity of Frederick von Mierers and how he deceived followers.

The main source of the investigation was former model Jackie Adams, who decided to speak out publicly.

Just five days before the article was published, von Mierers passed away from AIDS-related complications.

Richards has said that he and other members of the cult cared for him until the end, unaware of the health risks that existed at the time. Although the cult leader had died, Richards remained associated with the group until 1999. When he finally left, he was 37 years old, with no savings, a ruined career, and severe psychological consequences.

During that period, help came from his friend, Fabio Lanzoni, who sheltered him in his home in Los Angeles, supported him financially, and helped him restore contact with his family.

Today, the 64-year-old lives in Los Angeles, working as an actor, producer and counselor for people leaving cults. He has rebuilt his family and told his story in an HBO documentary, hoping his experience will serve as a warning about how psychological manipulation can destroy a person's life.