The new HBO docuseries *Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult* sheds light on the experiences of former members of a controversial spiritual group led by Frederick von Mierers, a once-charismatic figure who maintained that he possessed an extraordinary connection to extraterrestrial beings. Among those sharing their stories is Hoyt Richards, a prominent male model during the 1980s and 90s, who reflects on his time with the group Eternal Values, which was based in von Mierers’ New York City apartment.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Bring-Me-The-Beauties-Model-Cult-Frederich-von-Mierers-060926-1fede41774ca406a99353a2fe429a5cb.jpg)
Von Mierers was known for his unconventional beliefs, including the notion that he was an “alien walk-in”—a concept he encountered in the 1967 book *A Search for the Truth* by Ruth Montgomery, which he read following a near-death experience. According to Kim Wong, a former member of Eternal Values, this experience marked the moment von Mierers claimed a “new Frederick” had entered the body of his previous self. “He would technically have memories of the old Frederick but was a whole new being,” Wong explains in the series.
After immersing himself in Montgomery’s work, von Mierers met her, and he was featured in her 1985 book *Aliens Among Us*, which strengthened his self-proclaimed status as a “walk-in.” This further propelled him into the realm of New Age spirituality. Richards recalls von Mierers presenting an aura of authority that drew people to his teachings, stating, “He was unlike any of the other gurus. He was the Brooks Brothers version,” describing a unique blend of charm and conviction.
The group, consisting of models and other followers, was tightly bonded through what Richards described as a “spiritual commitment.” He recounts the backdrop of New York City in the era of rampant materialism and how von Mierers and his inner circle found balance amid this chaos. The collective’s interests went beyond spirituality; they were emotionally connected to von Mierers’ prophetic visions, which included ominous predictions about an impending cataclysm that would devastate the planet.
Richards describes von Mierers’ prophecies, in which he warned that a significant apocalypse would occur around the turn of the century. He claimed that only certain areas of the United States, like the Smoky Mountains, would survive the devastation. “There was going to be this horrible cataclysm coming,” Richards recalls von Mierers prophesying during discussions about potential refuge in North Carolina.
Following the leader’s death from AIDS-related complications in 1990, the remaining members faced existential uncertainty. As they prepared for the expected apocalypse, survival strategies took centre stage. They began stockpiling food, weapons, and precious metals, firmly believing these would serve as vital resources after the predicted end-of-times scenario. Richards, who continued his modelling career globe-trotting in cities like London and Paris, found it challenging to reconcile his leader’s dire warnings with the normalcy at the world outside.
During these travels, Richards met a woman named Donna, which eventually led to a clash with the group’s teachings that forbade romantic relationships. In the late 1990s, upon returning with questions regarding the group’s future and expressing his feelings for Donna, Richards faced backlash from fellow members. “I got attacked, you can imagine, like I was a heretic or a blasphemer,” he recalls of the tumultuous confrontation.
Ultimately, disillusionment led to Richards’s departure from Eternal Values as the group disbanded in the early 2000s. The aftermath saw him move to California, where he reconnected with former member Dar Dixon. Together, they realised the extent to which they had been part of a cult, prompting significant personal revelations about their past.
Years later, Richards has turned his experience into a positive force, assisting others in navigating their own exits from cult-like organisations. He also rekindled his relationship with Donna, the couple now preparing for marriage. Despite an on-again, off-again history, Richards reflects on their deep connection: “We’ve always loved each other, and that’s where we picked up,” he says, considering their journey together a testament to the power of love enduring through adversity.
Ultimately, *Bring Me the Beauties: A Model Cult* serves as a poignant exploration of the complexities involved in leaving a charismatic but controversial leader, revealing how past experiences can shape one’s future. The final episode of the series is set to air on June 15 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.