Leah Remini celebrates finishing 2nd year at NYU after Scientology stifled her education for 35 years
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a week that saw the conclusion of the sexual assault case involving Danny Masterson, veteran actor and follower of the Church of Scientology, another prominent figure has stepped forward to express her relief. Leah Remini, renowned for her outspoken criticism of Scientology, took to social media to share her thoughts after Masterson was found guilty of two counts of rape.
Remini, who herself was once a follower of the controversial church, tweeted, "The women who survived Danny Masterson's predation are heroes. For years, they and their families have faced vicious attacks and harassment from Scientology and Danny's well-funded legal team. Nevertheless, they soldiered on, determined to seek justice. While it is up to them to decide whether they are satisfied with this verdict, I am relieved that Danny Masterson is facing some justice after over two decades of brutal sexual violence with no criminal consequences."
Overcoming Adversity and Breaking Free
Beyond her activism, Remini has made significant strides in her personal life since leaving the Church of Scientology in 2013. The 'King of Queens' alum recently revealed on Instagram that she has been furthering her education and successfully completed her second year at NYU, a journey that she describes as one of the most difficult experiences of her life. "Two years ago, I had an eighth-grade education thanks to spending 35 years in a cult," Remini shared in her Instagram post. "And now, at age 52, I've successfully finished my second year at NYU." She went on to encourage her followers, stating, "If you have the desire and the capacity, please remember that it's never too late to start again."
Remini's announcement garnered support from her celebrity friends, with comedian Chelsea Handler commenting, "Love you, babycakes," and Rosie O'Donnell sharing, "Proud of u always."
Impact of Scientology on Leah Remini's Life
The former host of 'Scientology and the Aftermath' has previously spoken out about the church's stifling of her education, revealing that after eighth grade, she received no formal education and instead began working at a young age to support herself and her family. Remini attributed her lack of education to the teachings of L Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, who held a disdain for conventional education.
Remini emphasized her past aspirations and the circumstances that motivated her to pursue an acting career. "I saw a successful acting career as a salvation. It would help me get my family out of poverty and give me a higher standing in Scientology, which I truly believed was helping to save mankind," she shared. “At the time, we were living in squalor with no furniture. Every spare cent we had went to Scientology for mandatory courses, sessions, and treatments. I was determined to get my family into better circumstances.”
1. This photo was taken when I was 16.
— Leah Remini (@LeahRemini) January 16, 2022
I was so proud of this headshot. I thought my side pony made me look versatile and like a consummate actress.
I was ready to take on the world.
But by this point, I had been living the life of an adult for years even though I was a kid. pic.twitter.com/7XbJ5ReucA
Remini then reflected on her decision to enroll at New York University in her 50s. “Had you told me then that I would be a student at NYU at age 51, I wouldn’t have believed it," she wrote. "I had big dreams back then but when I look back they were rooted in my desire to survive … I couldn’t have imagined a world in which I would be a university student at my age.”