Ex-Scientologist Leah Remini says Tom Cruise screamed at her for not bringing more Hollywood stars into church
Leah Remini has claimed that Tom Cruise screamed at her and other Hollywood stars for “not doing enough” for Scientology. In a conversation with Louis Theroux for his ‘Grounded’ podcast, the actress also talked about her experience while being a member of the group and how it affected her when she left. Remini also dismissed the popular notion that Scientology is a “Hollywood religion”. Speaking to Theroux -- who himself has earlier disclosed the odd practices of Scientology, Remini said that Cruise yelled at her, Jenna Elfman, and Giovanni Ribisi “for not doing enough”. The ‘Mission: Impossible’ star reportedly complained that the three were not introducing more stars to the church. The 50-year-old recalled another incident that led her to leave the group. ‘The King of Queens’ star brought Jenifer Lopez as a guest to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ wedding, but the two were asked to sit separately. Later, when Remini enquired the reason behind the instruction, she was told she had been "punished".
After the ‘Kevin Can Wait’ star recalled many incidents that made her believe that people were distancing themselves from her after she left the group. Even when she won an Emmy, Elisabeth Moss, a Scientologist, apparently left the room. Another episode happened at Chelsea Handler’s home. “I’ve been in Chelsea Handler’s home, where Laura Prepon [Orange Is the New Black star and Scientologist] was there and saw me and literally ran away from me. This is the kind of thing that goes on,” Remini added.
Many expressed their thoughts on the podcast and the revelations made by Remini. “Ooh good. I’ve been looking forward to a new one. I thought the Ruby Wax one was absolutely compelling and it really made me think about her and how much she changed expectations about what women could do. A real star. Thank you. (I love ‘em all - but that one stands out for me),” one user said. The second one tweeted, “Can’t wait! I loved the @LeahRemini Scientology series and love your many series, what a combination!” “My favourite subject! ’m fascinated by cults,” the third user added.
Ooh good. I’ve been looking forward to a new one. I thought the Ruby Wax one was absolutely compelling and it really made me think about her and how much she changed expectations about what women could do. A real star. Thank you. (I love ‘em all - but that one stands out for me).
— Life Going Down #FBPE (@mylifegoingdown) January 18, 2021
Can’t wait! I loved the @LeahRemini Scientology series and love your many series, what a combination!
— Laura McConnell (@LauraFMcConnell) January 18, 2021
The Scientology church has spoken against the podcast. It released a statement that read, “The entire podcast you are presenting is a fraud… the claims that are being made are false – the claims cannot be substantiated, since nothing that is alluded to ever happened… There is a real story of Scientology and it is a magnificent story.”
However, this was not the first time Remini has presented Cruise in a bad light. In July 2020, she alleged that the 58-year-old was gradually transforming into David Miscavige, the controversial leader of the Church of Scientology. “I think it’s time for people to start waking up to the real facts here. Tom has for years manipulated his image to be the good guy. Although I believe there was a time when Tom was a decent and kindhearted person, he has morphed himself into David Miscavige and is completely dedicated to Scientology’s mission to ‘clear’ planet Earth — which means making 80 percent of the world’s population into Scientologists,” she said at the time.