Dark cults, demonic ceremonies, and mind-control; there are secret forces in this world pulling the strings of every major organization and event. The Illuminati!

Originally created in 1776 in Bavaria, Germany, the Illuminati secret society brought open-minded intellectuals together in an attempt to create an equal and enlightened world, just like the Freemasons. According to bbc.com, the movement was outlawed by conservative and religious groups and slowly faded out of existence.

Until the '60s... when mass hysteria revived the interest in the Illuminati. Films and media caused extreme paranoia; as a result, many celebs and politicians were accused of being part of the Illuminati secret society. In the US, in particular, myths have always been on a pedestal - it’s even believed that the signs on the US dollar show the hidden power of the Illuminati elite society. Some conspiracy theorists claim that the Illuminati are trying to brainwash people and use artists to spread imagery to create a new world order.

With all the weird symbols used in today’s pop culture, such as illuminated eye, pyramids, ancient gods, and snakes, perhaps not everything is a conspiracy. Here are 20 pictures that show that maybe the Illuminati is real!

20 Katy Perry And Her Dark Secrets

Katy Perry might be hiding some dark secrets… secrets that her song Dark Horse reveals. As a priestess conducting weird ceremonies, Katy surprised the world with her mysterious performance of Dark Horse. In fact, the talented singer told Rolling Stone that she would like to be invited to join the Illuminati.

19 Jay-Z And His Hand Gesture Trademark

Jay-Z is one of the rappers who have been rumored to be part of the Illuminati. Conspiracy theorists believe that Jay-Z is trying to brainwash his fans and establish a new world order. His On to the Next One video, for example, contains a skull - a symbol of the dark creature Baphomet. And the most obvious sign is Jay-z's Roc-a-Fella diamond gesture… which might be an Illuminati triangle.

18 Maisie Williams And Her Illuminati Metamorphosis

It’s believed that the Illuminati are still among us, trying to gain control over the world. Symbols, such as butterflies, checkered floors, and thrones, reveal that an artist has been already brainwashed by secret forces. The butterfly is also a symbol of the secret CIA project MK ULTRA for mind control. Just look at sweet Maisie Williams!

17 Beyonce And Her New World Order

Just like Jay-Z, Beyonce has been rumored to be one of the leaders of the Illuminati. It’s believed that Beyonce is promoting symbolism in her music, including symbols that represent Lucifer, Baphomet, and the all-seeing eye of the Illuminati. In her video Apesh*t, Beyonce and her husband are parading around The Louvre in Paris. Did you know that the entrance of the museum contains 666 pieces of glass?

16 Azealia Banks And Her Eye Of Providence T-shirt

Azealia Banks is another musician who might be brainwashed by the Illuminati in order to gain control over the world. For many conspiracy theorists, her Eye of Providence T-shirt is a clear sign that the Illuminati are watching us. Additionally, her Yung Rapunxel video is full of creepy Illuminati symbols.

15 Lady Gaga And Her All-Seeing Eye

With her out-there vision and videos, Lady Gaga is definitely one of the musicians who have lots of success, fame, and money. According to newinstact.com, conspiracy theorists claim that Lady Gaga has sold her soul to the Illuminati to become famous. It’s believed that the Illuminati perform numerous dark and dangerous ceremonies to get what they want.

14 Bono And The Tricks Of The Illuminati

The Illuminati are everywhere, they are among us pulling the strings of every major organization. According to the Journal, a huge leak revealed that Irish singer Bono is among the world’s rich and famous Illuminati. It’s not a secret that the Illuminati believe that money is not evil… simply because fortune means power.

13 Kim Kardashian And Her Pyramid Of Wealth

Kim Kardashian keeps expanding her pyramid of wealth. Is her empire of fame built on hard work or dark secrets? It’s believed that Kim Kardashian and her husband are prominent members of the Illuminati society. Maybe the Kardashian's 2013 Christmas card, which is full of Illuminati and ancient symbolism, proves Kim's role in the Illuminati movement.

12 Paris Hilton And Her Emotional Fallout

It’s not a secret that pretty Paris Hilton comes from a rich and prominent family. Many conspiracy theorists, however, believe that the Illuminati perform mind control tricks on children of rich families in order to establish a new world order. Maybe this explains Paris Hilton's emotional fall-outs and all her behavioral issues.

11 Justin Bieber And His Symbolic Tattoos

Justin Bieber's symbolic tattoos reveal the influence of the Illuminati secret society. His eye tattoo is just above the image of a knight and the word Believe. Can we trust Justin's words that this tattoo is only a nostalgic reminder of his album Believe? Or are conspiracy theorists right when they say that Justin simply believes in the Illuminati?

10 Madonna and Her Troops

It’s believed that the Illuminati control governments and organizations. It's also believed that they use artists and musicians to establish a new world order. Conspiracy theorists claim that Madonna used her Super Bowl performance to spread Illuminati imagery and beliefs. Are Madonna and her Illuminati troops ruling the world? Or is this just a conspiracy?

9 Kanye West And His Attempts To Make The World Great Again

Kim and Kanye share fame, wealth... and occult beliefs together. Kanye’s song Power caused numerous rumors; his eyes were illuminated and the columns in the video were like a Masonic temple. According to vox.com, it’s believed that the Illuminati joined the Freemasons in their attempt to create a new world power.

8 Kesha And Her Connection With The Unknown

People have always been obsessed with secret societies and ancient symbols. And while most of it is just paranoia, we have to admit that artists today create videos full of weird symbols and imagery. American singer Kesha is also in love with crosses, pentagrams, open eyes, and occult environments. She joked, "It’s so much worse than they think. I’m really the leader of the Illuminati. That’s true."

7 Cara Delevingne And Her Mysterious Owl

The Illuminati have numerous symbols which secretly indicate their role in the world. From snakes to butterflies, animals play a crucial role in their secret society. The Illuminati used the Owl of Minerva to symbolize wisdom and careful consideration. So, isn’t it obvious why English model Cara Delevingne loves owls?

6 Rihanna And The Triangle of the Illuminati

With her provocative videos and Illuminati hand gestures, Rihanna also caused lots of controversies. When Rihanna, Kanye, Jay-Z, and Madonna held a press conference to introduce the innovative streaming service Tidal, fans said that this was a public meeting of the Illuminati members. So, is music today a way to brainwash people and make them serve the Illuminati?

5 Miley Cyrus And Her Small Tattoos With Big Meanings

It's believed that talented Miley Cyrus is also involved in the Illuminati movement. Simply because her numerous small tattoos have big meanings. Miley has embraced Illuminati symbolism: she has an all-seeing eye tattoo and a tattoo of Leonardo da Vinci. Conspiracy theorists claim that da Vinci was also associated with the Illuminati.

4 Russel Brand And His Secret Philosophy

British comedian Russel Brand loves skull-printed ties, scarves, and shirts. The skull represents death, which is a reoccurring theme in numerous secret societies. As Russel told joe.ie, "If we can connect with that essence as individuals, and connect to one another, truthfully there is a divine power that will be unleashed with which we can change ourselves as individuals, as a society, and maybe even the world."

3 Michael Jackson And His Devil's Horns

Michael Jackson was one of the most controversial stars surrounded by rumors and conspiracies. It's believed that Michael Jackson's hand gestures represented the devil's horns. As mentioned above, the Illuminati worship different occult powers and demons in order to establish a new world order. Alarmingly, many politicians and priests can be spotted doing the horns gesture.

2 Angelina Jolie And Her All-Seeing Eye Ceremony

It’s not only musicians who are used as tools in the hands of the Illuminati. Actors, politicians, and scholars are also involved. Angelina Jolie’s film Tomb Raider, for instance, showed numerous Illuminati symbols. What's more, conspiracy theorists claim that Jolie’s decision to undergo a double mastectomy was influenced by the Illuminati and their global plan to establish control in medicine and research.

1 Jaden Smith And His Illuminati Family

The Smiths are also associated with the Illuminati. From the psychedelic videos Willow is obsessed with to the scientific projects (involving pyramids) Jaden is involved in, it’s believed that Will Smith’s kids are victims of MK Ultra and their attempt to control the world. Are the Smiths part of the Illuminati... or are we all victims of conspiracy theorists?

Sources: JOE, Newsinstact, Ranker, Rolling Stone, SheKnows, The Journal, Vox