Latest news with #LeahRemini:ScientologyandtheAftermath
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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. More from SheKnows Tom Cruise Reportedly Tried to Recruit This 'Weak-Minded' Celebrity Into Scientology, per Resurfaced Reports '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 of SheKnows 27 Celebrity Moms Who've Opened Up About Their Plastic Surgery 16 of the Steamiest Movie Sex Scenes With Older Women & Younger Men All the Men Marilyn Monroe Reportedly Had Relationships With Throughout Her Short Life
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'They've (used) a Scientology term that means to kill me...' Leah Remini alleges substantial threats by Church of Scientology
Leah Remini has claimed the Church of Scientology has made threats to her life. The 'King of Queens' actress, 54, joined the group aged 13 when her mother became a member, and described the organisation's control over every aspect of her life in a candid new interview about the impact it has had on her and her family's lives. She spoke to Us Weekly about her ongoing trauma about extracting herself from the church after filing a civil harassment lawsuit against the Church of Scientology in 2023, alleging it orchestrated a campaign of stalking and intimidation against her and her 20-year-old daughter Sofia – with a trial scheduled for October. Leah's efforts to expose the Church of Scientology's practices began with her 2015 memoir, 'Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology', and continued with the Emmy-winning docuseries 'Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath'. She added: "They harass my underage daughter online. They've (used) a Scientology term that means to kill me (and) basically to erase me from the face of the earth. "When you talk to a lawyer, they say, 'It's going to cost you more to defend yourself than to pay them off.' 'And Scientology knows that.' A representative for the Church told Us Weekly: 'All allegations of harassment, break-ins and other salacious alleged conduct are false.' Leah added about her time in the Church: 'We (had) to report to our ethics departments – the Scientology police — and that's an everyday activity. 'Once your parents become Scientologists, they're no longer your parents.' Her break from the Church came after she was ordered to cut ties with her mother and stepfather for allegedly violating Scientology policy. She said: 'That's when I found the Brooklyn girl in me.' Leah credits the late Mike Rinder – a former high-ranking Scientologist who left in 2007 – with helping her escape. She said: 'Mike was the first person I called when I was thinking of leaving. That alone was a high crime in Scientology. 'He was so comforting.' Leah said the Church continues to harass Sofia online, and that the pressure has taken a toll. The actress added: 'She's constantly petrified that her phone is being tapped. 'I had to get her help for that, and she's OK; we got through a rough patch.'
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Leah Remini claims Church of Scientology wanted to murder her
Leah Remini claims the Church of Scientology wanted to murder her. The 'King of Queens' actress, 54, joined the group aged 13 when her mother became a member, and described the organisation's control over every aspect of her life in a candid new interview about the impact it has had on her and her family's lives. She spoke to UsWeekly about her ongoing trauma about extracting herself from the church after filing a civil harassment lawsuit against the Church of Scientology in 2023, alleging it orchestrated a campaign of stalking and intimidation against her and her 20-year-old daughter Sofia – with a trial scheduled for October. Leah's efforts to expose the Church's practices began with her 2015 memoir, 'Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology', and continued with the Emmy-winning docuseries 'Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath'. She added: 'They harass my underage daughter online. They've (used) a Scientology term that means to kill me (and) basically to erase me from the face of the earth. –When you talk to a lawyer, they say, 'It's going to cost you more to defend yourself than to pay them off'. 'And Scientology knows that.' A representative for the Church told UsWeekly: 'All allegations of harassment, break-ins and other salacious alleged conduct are false.' Leah added about her time in the Church: 'We (had) to report to our ethics departments – the Scientology police — and that's an everyday activity. 'Once your parents become Scientologists, they're no longer your parents.' Her break from the Church came after she was ordered to cut ties with her mother and stepfather for allegedly violating Scientology policy. She said: 'That's when I found the Brooklyn girl in me.' Leah credits the late Mike Rinder – a former high-ranking Scientologist who left in 2007 – with helping her escape. She said: 'Mike was the first person I called when I was thinking of leaving. That alone was a high crime in Scientology. 'He was so comforting.' Leah said the Church continues to harass Sofia online, and that the pressure has taken a toll. The actress added: 'She's constantly petrified that her phone is being tapped. 'I had to get her help for that, and she's OK; we got through a rough patch.'
