Has Jared Leto Transformed into a Cult Leader, or Is It Just an Elaborate Prank?

Discussing Jared Leto is never straightforward. Why? Because he is such an eccentric figure, making it challenging to write an objective piece about his life and work—objectivity is not exactly Leto’s style.

He is undoubtedly a talented performer. Although not every project he’s been involved in has been a success, Leto consistently delivers strong performances, even when the writing falls short.

Additionally, he is a skilled and popular musician. However, his career has been marred by numerous controversies, both personal and professional, leaving many unsure of how to perceive him.

In a recent exposé, MovieWeb delves into the question of whether Jared Leto truly leads a cult, as various media reports and statements from Leto himself suggest that this may be the case. Yet, knowing Leto, it could all just be an elaborate joke.

The cult story ties back to Jared Leto’s band, Thirty Seconds to Mars, which he and his brother, Shannon, formed in 1998.

While the band originally included three other members, they have all since departed, leaving the Leto brothers as the sole consistent members. Their genre is alternative rock, so if that’s not your style, you may not be familiar with their music.

Despite the changes in lineup, the band has been quite prolific, as evidenced by their extensive discography:

In addition to their lineup changes, they have released numerous songs, and you can find the complete list here. But that’s just the beginning. What connects the band to the rumored cult? According to the article, the band’s Twitter profile (which wasn’t yet known as X at the time) featured a message back in 2019 that stated:

Yes, this is a cult 🔺 #MarsIsland pic.twitter.com/4I7JROg90w

— THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS (@30SECONDSTOMARS) August 15, 2019

The images show Leto alongside his fans (or followers, as the distinction remains unclear), all dressed in white, with Leto adopting a strikingly Messianic appearance—definitely an odd sight. If viewed at face value, it certainly resembles a cult: a charismatic leader with Messianic symbols, followers in matching attire, and an isolated setting where they attentively listen to their guide.

These so-called “exclusive” VIP fans of Leto and his band are referred to as the “Echelon,” and if the reports are accurate, they exhibit a fervent devotion. In 2020, a camp was held in Croatia for fans to “do yoga” and meet Leto, with ticket prices soaring to $6,500; it’s easy to speculate that similar “camps” have been organized since.

Allegedly, Leto even held a bizarre contest for attendees, primarily composed of young women, offering the winner a chance to spend the night with him. However, this isn’t even the most unsettling aspect of the story if we consider Leto’s own statements:

The fans are an incredibly committed and passionate group of people. Going to a show is kind of like visiting Japan, you expect gifts on your arrival. You get all kinds of wonderful things. Someone cut their ear off once and sent it to me, that was very strange. A whole ear. The Van Gogh move.

The note just said, ‘Are you listening?’. I never knew who it was, who’s missing their ear out there. (… ) I poked a hole in it and wore it as a necklace. Just don’t put your entire body in a case and send it to us.

Source: NME

Fortunately, we haven’t witnessed this yet, but if it is true, it’s undeniably disturbing. This may not be the only instance, but we’ll leave it at that. So why do some people doubt that Leto is a rock ‘n’ roll cult Messiah? The answer lies with Leto himself.

As the article notes, Leto has claimed that he always lies in interviews, and his vivid imagination often leads to bizarre tales.

Because of this, it’s entirely possible that the stories mentioned, including this one, are fabricated and that there’s no actual cult involved. While Leto does engage with fans and the camps were indeed real, they may not be cult-like in nature. We’re not asserting that they aren’t, but with Leto, it’s hard to say for certain.

Looking back to a 2013 New York Times interview, Leto remarked:

At one point in the video for the song “Closer to the Edge,” the words “Yes, this is a cult” come on-screen.

It’s a joke, a response to journalists saying, ‘‘You have such a cult following.’’ We have always had incredibly committed people following us. If people like 30 Seconds to Mars, they really, really, really like it.

Seeing all those fans screaming and crying, I guess I didn’t quite understand where the joke ended and where the actual messianic business began, you know?

Well, I’ll push back a little bit. The joke isn’t really for you. It’s for the believers who get the joke.

You never use the word “fans.” People who like you are “the echelon.”

I hate the word ‘‘fan’’; it just seems so dismissive. Because we have this cult, this family, these believers who understand, it seems fitting that there was a name to reference them.

Do I have to take any expensive classes or do any E-meter auditing to join?

Yes. Of course you do. You have to dance under the full moon and drink the freshly sacrificed blood of a human baby.

Source: New York Times

As noted, Leto himself suggested that it was all just a joke, and given some of his statements, it’s certainly plausible. While the likelihood is low, it’s not entirely out of the question. If that’s the case, it would be a rather dark and morbid publicity stunt—typical of Jared Leto!

Do you have any thoughts to share? Let us know in the comments below!

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