Hoyt Richards, the world's first male supermodel who graced campaigns for Versace, Valentino, Ralph Lauren and Burberry, was secretly funding a doomsday alien sex cult for years. The three-part HBO docuseries 'Bring Me the Beauties,' premiering June 1, reveals how Richards was ensnared by the Eternal Values cult led by Frederick Von Mierers, a charismatic New York socialite who claimed to be an alien from the star Arcturus.
Von Mierers, who secured a spot in the Social Register, recruited Richards on a Nantucket beach in 1978 when the model was 16. He lured attractive young people with promises of exclusive nightclubs like Studio 54, then subjected them to strict rules: restrictive diets, regular tanning, renouncing sexual activity, and purchasing pricey gemstones supposedly imbued with healing powers. Followers believed Von Mierers' backstory that an alien from Arcturus had entered his body, warning of a 'pole shift' that would destroy Earth in 1999, with only Arcturians saved by UFOs.
The cult amassed wealth through courses, supplements, exercise equipment, and astrology readings, incorporated as Ultimate Fitness Opportunities (UFO). Von Mierers' influence was bolstered by New Age guru Ruth Montgomery's bestselling book 'Aliens Among Us,' which confirmed his 'walk-in' status. The cult even inspired Van Halen's 1985 song 'Love Walks In.'
Documentary filmmaker Chris Smith spent five years developing relationships with former members to uncover the story, noting the group's pre-internet existence left little online trace. Richards, who donated nearly all his earnings to the cult, eventually escaped, but the toll was heavy. The series features interviews with Richards and other ex-members, along with archival footage of Von Mierers.
