Leah Remini Reveals How the Church of Scientology Has Targeted Her 'Petrified' Daughter
Since leaving the Church of Scientology in 2013, Leah Remini has become one of the institution's biggest critics, opening up about her experience in interviews, her docuseries Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, and even going into legal action against the Church in 2023. But her outspokenness has come at a price.
In a new interview with Us Weekly, the King of Queens alum gave a glimpse into her life after her departure.
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'You can leave, you just can't speak out,' she said of the rules. 'You can't exercise your First Amendment right or go on an ex-member's blog and talk with [others] who experienced abuse in Scientology. You'll get an operation launched by OSA [Office of Special Affairs] to discredit you and destroy your life until you shut up.'
As an example, Remini detailed that the Church's alleged harassment has extended to her 20-year-old daughter, Sofia, whom she shares with ex Angelo Pagán.
'They harass my underage daughter online,' Remini said. 'They've [used] a Scientology term that means to kill me [and] basically to erase me from the face of the earth.'
Despite it all, Remini has remained strong in her advocacy, even if it having to always comfort her daughter from all the danger.
'She's constantly petrified that her phone is being tapped,' Remini said. 'I had to get her help for that, and she's OK; we got through a rough patch. It takes a toll.'
Luckily, Sofia's experience with Scientology has mostly been present after their departure.
'Thankfully, I got out before she was indoctrinated, so she didn't remember a whole lot,' Remini said. 'I'm thankful I didn't have to get her into therapy to offset what they would eventually do to her, which is teach her to accept all kinds of abuse, mental, physical, you know, sexual, all of it.'
Plus, Sofia is proud of her mom for speaking out. 'Very [proud],' Remini said. 'I have notes around the house saying, 'You're the strongest person I know, Mommy. Don't give up.'' As long as they're in it together, it seems like they never will.Best of SheKnows
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