Someone with a devoted following

CULTLEADER

This figure often exerts extreme influence over a group, sometimes leading to isolation from mainstream society. Think of a controversial title associated with charismatic but dangerous movements.

The clue "Someone with a devoted following" hints at a person who commands intense loyalty, often in an extreme or manipulative way. "Cult leader" fits perfectly—it’s a compound word where "cult" refers to a group with fanatical devotion and "leader" describes the person at its head. The answer is written as one word, "CULTLEADER," which is common in crosswords to save space while keeping the meaning clear.