"My first exorcism was when I was 13," said 17-year-old Brynne on The Anderson Cooper Show yesterday. Brynne has allegedly cast out demons from dozens of people. Along with 17-year-old Tess and 20-year-old Savannah, she claims to have the ability to identify and expel evil.
Brynne is the daughter of Texas preacher Reverend Bob Larsen, a well-known spiritual guide who claims to have cast out over 15,000 demons over the course of his career. Brynne claims to have performed her first exorcism at a church in Africa, under her father's watch, at the age of 13. The three girls are Larsen's newest apprentices -- he gives them hours of training each week and insists that the girls have exorcised dozens of people already.
"One of the tell-tale signs of demonic possession that Hollywood gets right is the eyes," Tess told Anderson Cooper. "The pupils dilate sporadically... You look in someone's eyes, and after the [exorcism] training, you can see the evil."
Tess allegedly performed her first exorcism on a 15-year-old friend at a sleepover who had complained of "splitting headaches for no reason" (an apparent symptom of possession). The girl in question was said to have been a strong Christian who had recently wandered away from God.
On the show, Cooper seems rightfully doubtful -- and it certainly doesn't help the girls' case that they are looking to become the stars of a new reality show about their special powers. And given the public's taste for stories of the supernatural, the girls may not have a hard time finding a network to host them. Nicki Minaj's provocative staged "exorcism" was arguably the most talked-about moment of the 2012 Grammys, sparking both applause and anger (Minaj was slammed by the Catholic League after her performance). With the season finales of The Secret Circle, Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural approaching, could 'Teen Exorcism Squad' be the next supernatural-themed TV hit?
What do you think -- are these teen exorcists for real, or is the whole thing a ploy for fame? Share your thoughts in the comments below or tweet @HuffPostTeen.