As many current and former Royal Wayans have most likely observed, Michael Gottlieb’s death has not had much impact on the business of Royal Way. With the approval of Maggie Hodge, the current authoritarian spiritual leader, RW has embraced the creation of an online presence to attract new, younger members into their fold.
This is evident in all the photos of ONLY Millennial or younger members on their site. In reality, at least half of their community is 55-75 years of age. Some younger members are the children or family members of the older ones. The site is sophisticated and offers their path to enlightenment in a safe, inviting setting. They lease out their ranch to such groups as Agape when not utilizing it for RW events. Most of the upkeep is provided for free by members doing “service”. They also have a Facebook and Instagram presence. They are as alive as ever but still do not acknowledge their Osho connection, their rejection of LBGT or how their non-profit Church status contributes to their growing wealth. They continue to solicit large donations from their cult members in exchange for status in the group.
Maggie has a retail website, maggisart.com, where she sells her paintings-mostly to RW members for exorbitant prices-while she sits on millions of dollars of wealth accumulated by RW. Gifts of real estate, renovation and landscaping in and around the ranch. Gifts for her birthday and the Patron’s Party. The amount of gold in RW’s coffers is staggering. This is a very rich cult for its size, still under 500 members. The older members have the luxury of not having Michael to challenge them. “Oldies” humorously refer to their present existence as “Royal Way Lite”. Maggie once said that RW is a business, after all. More than ever, it is branding itself to new generations of youthful seekers, where the discomfort of tech and service job hours demand that there must be something more to life.
RW is alive and well, run by Boomers and looking for XYZ recruits. Take heed and do your research. This is a cult founded by a very flawed guru. They are not your friends. That stops when you leave. Find out what they refuse to discuss!
This is evident in all the photos of ONLY Millennial or younger members on their site. In reality, at least half of their community is 55-75 years of age. Some younger members are the children or family members of the older ones. The site is sophisticated and offers their path to enlightenment in a safe, inviting setting. They lease out their ranch to such groups as Agape when not utilizing it for RW events. Most of the upkeep is provided for free by members doing “service”. They also have a Facebook and Instagram presence. They are as alive as ever but still do not acknowledge their Osho connection, their rejection of LBGT or how their non-profit Church status contributes to their growing wealth. They continue to solicit large donations from their cult members in exchange for status in the group.
Maggie has a retail website, maggisart.com, where she sells her paintings-mostly to RW members for exorbitant prices-while she sits on millions of dollars of wealth accumulated by RW. Gifts of real estate, renovation and landscaping in and around the ranch. Gifts for her birthday and the Patron’s Party. The amount of gold in RW’s coffers is staggering. This is a very rich cult for its size, still under 500 members. The older members have the luxury of not having Michael to challenge them. “Oldies” humorously refer to their present existence as “Royal Way Lite”. Maggie once said that RW is a business, after all. More than ever, it is branding itself to new generations of youthful seekers, where the discomfort of tech and service job hours demand that there must be something more to life.
RW is alive and well, run by Boomers and looking for XYZ recruits. Take heed and do your research. This is a cult founded by a very flawed guru. They are not your friends. That stops when you leave. Find out what they refuse to discuss!