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Worried Scientology leaders 'SPIED' on Nicole Kidman in attempt to destroy her marriage to Tom Cruise

The book claims the church desperately tried to drive a wedge between the couple because they were worried Kidman may tempt Cruise to leave the organization.
UPDATED SEP 28, 2022
The church head was allegedly scared that he was losing control of Tom Cruise and was suspicious of Nicole Kidman as she had not shown enthusiasm for Scientology (Patrick Riviere/Getty Images)
The church head was allegedly scared that he was losing control of Tom Cruise and was suspicious of Nicole Kidman as she had not shown enthusiasm for Scientology (Patrick Riviere/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A high-ranking church official claimed in his new book that the contentious Church of Scientology spied on Nicole Kidman and tapped her phone in order to end her marriage to her then-husband Tom Cruise. According to Mike Rinder's book 'A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology', the church desperately tried to drive a wedge between the couple because they were worried Kidman may tempt Cruise to leave the organization. 

While the actor and Kidman were filming 'Eyes Wide Shut' in London in 1997, according to former high-ranking church officer Rinder, they decided to leave because Cruise, a longtime church spokesman, started to disregard Scientology head David Miscavige's calls. Miscavige was allegedly scared that he was losing control of Cruise and was suspicious of the actor's second wife because she had not shown enthusiasm for Scientology. He is said to have ordered the tapping of Kidman's phone.

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Marty Rathbun, formerly the second-highest ranking official, was also allegedly chosen by the church's leader to help Cruise split up and undergo an audit so that he would become "clear" about the significance of Scientology. "Rathburn worked with [Hollywood lawyer] Bert Fields to hire infamous PI Anthony Pellicano to spy on Nicole and tap her phone," according to PageSix.

Pellicano was imprisoned for over ten years for various crimes, including wiretapping, racketeering, conspiracy, and illegally possessing explosives and grenades. A church spokesperson stated, "The Church never ordered or participated in any illegal wiretapping. Mike Rinder is a habitual liar who seeks to profit from his dishonesty. He supports himself by orchestrating the harassment of his former Church and its leader through false police reports, incendiary propaganda, and fraudulent media stories."

According to Rinder, Cruise "was gradually drawn back into the world of Scientology" as a result of the allegedly successful church tactics. However, this rekindled adherence to Scientology "created a distance between him and Kidman" and ultimately resulted in their divorce in 2001. Rinder writes, "When Tom and Nicole divorced, Miscavige was happy that the 'negative influence' of Nicole was no longer dragging Tom away. Cruise thereafter became more fervent in his vocal public support of Scientology and Miscavige."

Rinder served as the organization's international spokesperson and director of its Office of Special Affairs before departing in 2007 at the age of 52.

Cruise joined the church in 1990 and is well-known for his close friendship with David Miscavige, the current leader of Scientology. Lower-ranking members are reportedly encouraged to watch the actor's films numerous times, according to a former Scientologist, who claimed that Cruise is regarded as a "deity" within the Church of Scientology in 2019. The 'Mission: Impossible' actor, 56, is revered as a god by Scientologists, according to Leah Remini, a Scientologist until 2013.

FILE PHOTO: Actor Tom Cruise and his wife Nicole Kidman pose for photographers at the Sydney premiere of
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman pose for photographers at the Sydney premiere of 'Mission Impossible 2' on May 30, 2000, at Fox Studios in Australia (Matt Turner/Liaison)

The two children Cruise adopted with Kidman, Connor, and Isabella, are also said to be active Scientologists. Kidman was married to Cruise between 1990 and 2001. She said that she keeps her relationship with her children away from the public and said, "I have to protect all those relationships. I know 150 percent that I would give up my life for my children because it's what my purpose is."

Kidman earlier spoke to Vogue magazine and said that she had "chosen not to speak publicly about Scientology. I have two children who are Scientologists — Connor, and Isabella — and I utterly respect their beliefs." 

RELATED TOPICS NICOLE KIDMAN TOM CRUISE
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