Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult is a gripping new three-part docuseries on HBO Max that launched today (Tuesday, 2nd June) in the UK.
The revelatory programme chronicles the life of A-list supermodel Hoyt Richards, who delivers a first-hand account of his involvement with a uniquely sinister wellness cult known as Eternal Values and its mysterious leader, Frederick von Mierers.
Richards, 64, sits down for an exclusive interview for the series, detailing how von Mierers — a New York socialite and former model who later reinvented himself as a psychic medium claiming to be possessed by alien energy — swindled a group of wealthy and attractive followers out of millions of dollars.
Yet, paradoxically, von Mierers' influence also helped propel Richards' career to dizzying heights, and he swiftly became one of the most recognisable faces in modelling following a chance encounter with the cult leader at just 16 years of age.
With fresh episodes of this unmissable true crime series dropping on Tuesdays, here's a closer look at what Richards is up to today.
Richards rose to international prominence throughout the 1980s and 90s as one of the most sought-after names in modelling. Regarded by many as the first male supermodel, he worked alongside industry giants including Cindy Crawford and Fabio Lanzoni.
In 2018, he first disclosed his connection to Eternal Values, a group that became increasingly cult-like throughout the 1980s and held the belief that a UFO would rescue its members from the apocalypse at the turn of the millennium.
Richards departed the group in 1999, and it wasn't long before the remaining followers went their separate ways.
Having turned his back on the cult, Richards pressed on with his modelling career while also venturing into acting. He made a brief cameo alongside Fabio in The Exorcist III and portrayed a model in the 1998 romantic comedy Six Days, Seven Nights, which starred Harrison Ford.
He also cropped up in a 2002 episode of the short-lived sitcom Three Sisters and a 2007 episode of CSI: Miami.
In more recent times, Richards has further bolstered his CV with screenwriting and producing credits. He co-wrote, produced, and starred in the 2014 comedy Dumbbells, which saw him reunite with Fabio playing himself, and notably featured Family Matters' Jaleel White in the role of a cult leader.
His most recent work has featured in short films and independent productions, including the WWI fantasy drama Can You Hear Me?
According to the website Who's Dating Who, Richards was married to actress Amy Lindsay from 2005-2009. He is currently thought to be unmarried and single.
However, he guards his private life closely, meaning it remains entirely possible that he has a partner who simply prefers to remain out of the public eye.
Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult continues Tuesdays on HBO Max.
