Andrew Keegan is a former child actor known for his roles on series including “Party of Five” and “7th Heaven” and in the 1999 film “10 Things I Hate About You.” In adulthood, he developed an interest in New Age spirituality and in 2014, he co-founded Full Circle with a group of friends. The organization operated from the Rose Temple, a historic venue in Venice, California, with Keegan investing tens of thousands of dollars to establish the space.
Full Circle described itself as an open-source, non-denominational spiritual community center dedicated to fostering human connection through art, meditation, yoga, and community events. Soon after the center opened, media attention focused on whether Full Circle exhibited cultlike characteristics. Interest increased following a 2014 article that described an encounter with a member known as “Third Eye,” who referred to an inner circle of “enlightened” members and said Keegan held ultimate decision-making authority within the organization.
Subsequent reports in a variety of media outlets characterized Full Circle as either a “new religion” or a cult, while some commentators observed that its loosely defined beliefs incorporated New Age ideas alongside elements of Hinduism.
Public perceptions of Full Circle as an unconventional spiritual movement were further shaped by its gatherings and use of ritualized language. Media accounts described Sunday meetings in which participants sat in circles and recited call-and-response affirmations centered on personal transformation, spiritual development, and community renewal.
Some observers and critics pointed to Keegan’s prominent leadership role, the presence of a dedicated core membership, and the group’s distinctive terminology as features commonly associated with non-traditional spiritual organizations.
In May 2015, Full Circle came under legal scrutiny when officers from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control raided the Rose Temple during a fundraising event. The action stemmed from the unpermitted distribution and sale of kombucha, a fermented tea beverage containing trace amounts of alcohol.
Representatives for the center said they had been unaware that distributing kombucha required a state alcohol license. Keegan, who was not present during the raid, later filed a defamation lawsuit against several media organizations over their reporting on the incident, but the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed.
As property costs in Venice Beach increased, driven in part by expansion in the local technology sector, and operational expenses continued to grow, Full Circle experienced mounting financial challenges. The organization attempted to raise funds through crowdfunding campaigns, including the sale of rose-quartz bracelets, while also seeking investors to expand into sound healing and educational programs.
Despite those efforts, the Rose Temple closed in 2017 after approximately three years of operation. During that time, Full Circle hosted nearly 1,000 events, including workshops, community dinners, and other gatherings.
In later media appearances, Keegan consistently rejected claims that Full Circle had been a cult, attributing those characterizations to sensationalized media coverage and clickbait journalism. He said the organization had no formal doctrine, rigid hierarchy, or central agenda, instead operating as a community gathering space intended to help address social isolation associated with increasing digital connectivity.
Keegan also said that he lacked the media experience to effectively respond to the coverage at the time and described Full Circle as a well-intentioned effort to bring people together. In subsequent interviews, he occasionally joked that being labeled a cult leader had become a surreal badge of honor.
Key Sources:
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Effron, D. H. (2015, May 1). Inside ’90s Heartthrob-Turned-Spiritual guide Andrew Keegan’s “Full Circle.” ABC News.
Longeretta, E. (2024, February 13). Andrew Keegan Addresses Rumors That He Runs a Cult, Admits He’s Spent ‘Tens of Thousands of Dollars’ on Spiritual Group. Variety.
Paiella, G. (2017, March 14). Andrew Keegan’s Organization Full Circle Will Continue On. The Cut.
Pearl, M. (2015, May 14). The Guy From ’10 Things I Hate About You’ Who Started a Religion Had His Temple Raided for Kombucha. Vice.
Shechet, E. (2015, March 9). Andrew Keegan, Cult Leader: “Today, I’m Here to Activate High Vibes.” Jezebel.