Latest news with #Scientology
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas spark romance rumours as 26-year age gap raises questions among fans
Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas have reignited speculation about their relationship after being spotted holding hands during a weekend trip. The two actors were seen attending a concert at London's Wembley Stadium before flying to Woodstock, Vermont, where they reportedly spent time together shopping, sightseeing and stopping for ice cream, according to TMZ. Cruise, 63, and de Armas, 37, have not commented publicly on the nature of their relationship, but social media users were quick to respond. While some praised Cruise's ongoing star appeal, others raised concerns about the 26-year age difference and Cruise's long-standing affiliation with the Church of Scientology. Several fans expressed curiosity about whether de Armas shares Cruise's religious views. Comments on social media speculated about the implications of the actor's ties to Scientology, particularly in relation to romantic partnerships. 'Hope she's a Scientologist because if not, she'll lose her future children when he's done with her,' one user wrote. Scientology doctrine allows members to marry outside the religion as long as the partner is not considered a 'Suppressive Person,' a term used for individuals who openly criticise the faith. De Armas has not made any public statements regarding her stance on the religion. The renewed attention comes as Cruise continues to make headlines for his ongoing roles in major film franchises. De Armas, who is currently starring in the action thriller Ballerina, a John Wick spinoff, has also gained acclaim for her work in recent years. Neither Cruise nor de Armas has confirmed their relationship status, but the pair's public appearances and online reactions suggest the speculation is likely to continue.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Top Aussie Scientologist is found dead after devoting her life to the mysterious religion - as details of her incredible link to its leader and her tragic cause of death are revealed
An Australian woman who was run out of Melbourne as a child due to her family's Scientology beliefs has died in Florida. Marion Pouw, 72, died near the Scientology city of Clearwater where she spent much of her life dedicated to the controversial religion and its leader, David Miscavige. Former friends - who say they were cut off from her after they left the church - revealed she had died from pancreatic cancer. Pouw was said to be Miscavige's right-hand woman, with some former Scientologists branding her his 'henchman', while another said she was one of his 'closest lieutenants'. A never-before-seen picture exclusively given to Daily Mail Australia reveals Pouw at her first wedding, with Miscavige's wife, Shelly, one of her bridesmaids. Ms Miscavige inexplicably vanished 18 years ago and has never been found. A death notice listed by Tampa funeral home Brewer & Sons shared that Ms Pouw was born on February 7, 1953, and died on June 20, 2025. The listing has since been mysteriously deleted, but still appears online in a Google search. An obituary on US website Echovita revealed that Ms Pouw died in Clermont, Florida, just a stone's throw from Scientology's Clearwater headquarters. The obituary farewelled her 'Earthly form'. Scientology's core belief is that humans are immortal spiritual beings, called thetans, who are in a continual cycle of reincarnation on Earth and other planets. Ms Pouw's work for the church flew mostly under the radar, but she appeared in a Scientology video slamming David's father, the late Ron Miscavige, for leaving the church and writing a memoir about it. Ms Pouw said she had helped Ron at his lowest point when his brother Red died, and that they were close family friends for more than 40 years. In his book Ruthless: Scientology, My Son David Miscavige, and Me, Ron described Pouw as his son's henchman, which infuriated her. 'I find the fact that he references me as a 'top henchman' both offensive and insulting,' she said in the video which was posted online and revealed a lingering trace of her Australian accent. 'I mean we're talking a 40 year relationship… a close family friend that's gone out of her way for… and cared for him. 'And to now depict that relationship in that manner - a friend doesn't say that about a friend, ever. No matter the circumstances, you just don't say that. 'And I find it very insulting and such a gross misrepresentation of the relationship that… that I had with him. 'He was a friend - he's not a friend now - but he was a very close friend. I was family. And frankly, I was stunned.' Ron Miscavige died in 2021, aged 85. Pouw and her siblings were raised by Dutch parents in Melbourne, but the family fled to the church's UK HQ in Saint Hill after a 1965 government investigation into the religion, which stifled its activities in Victoria at the time. She was raised alongside fellow Australian Scientology children, Terri, Janis and Peter Gillham. According to Janis and fellow former Scientologist Mike Fisher, who co-host Scientology - Peeling The Onion, a YouTube series on life outside of the church, Marion spent her 'entire life' in the organisation's shadowy pseudo-navy, Sea Org. Janis said Pouw's family left Scientology when she was a teenager, but as soon as she turned 17, she returned and signed up for Sea Org, an 'elite' subsection of the religion that spent much of its time at sea. Pouw rapidly ascended the ranks, and became an assistant for Mary Sue Hubbard - the wife of Scientology founder, L Ron Hubbard. It's understood she was incredibly close to the Scientology boss, especially in his latter years before his death in 1986. Her unwavering loyalty then switched to his successor, Miscavige. They were so close that Miscavige's wife Shelly was a bridesmaid in Pouw's wedding to fellow Scientologist, Bill Meisner. Shelly has been a subject of global fascination since vanishing in 2007. Actress and former Scientologist Leah Remini has been tireless in her quest to find Shelly, but Pouw never publicly commented on her friend's disappearance. Janis, who left the church in 1990, was devastated that her friend and Aussie compatriot had died without ever getting to reconnect with her. She exclusively shared pictures of Marion with Daily Mail Australia. 'She had a dedication and drive to had a goodness about her that got buried,' Janis said. Her YouTube co-host Mike Fisher countered Janis' kind words by saying, 'But she chose that [the church] over her family and her friends that she'd known for years'. Janis added: 'The sad part is she didn't go back to Holland to see her mum and dad. 'When her father passed away, he didn't tell Marion [that he was dying]. His thoughts were that, 'She didn't care enough about me when I was alive, why would she care that I'm dead?' 'They missed so many years with her, so there is that big hole.' Janis, who now lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, recalled Pouw lecturing her father Peter Gillham Sr that he needed to 'Handle Janis and Peter Jr' after they left because they'd been 'speaking out against the church'. Marion, third from left, is seen with Janis and her sister Terri, and another woman Janis revealed her regret that Pouw did not come to see her, even if it was to apparently silence them. 'If Marion had come to see us, we would have turned her,' she said. She alleged Pouw had formed a crucial part of Scientology's defence of mass protests in the mid-2000s, which were sparked by an exposé from internet activists Anonymous. 'She would go around and rope people back in [to the church] for Miscavige,' she said. It is believed Pouw's mother Wilma is still alive, in her 90s, and living in the Netherlands. Janis' late mother Yvonne was the brains behind Scientology's world-famous Celebrity Center in Los Angeles. The church responded angrily to speculation about Ms Pouw's life and death when approached by Daily Mail Australia. 'How dare you use someone's death—someone who cannot respond—to spread lies,' said public affairs spokesman Karin Pouw, believed to be Marion's sister-in-law. 'Marion would be outraged to know her honorable name is being used to promote a bigoted agenda against the Church she served and the people she so deeply cared for. 'Marion stood for truth, compassion, and justice. That her name would be used to spread lies would violate everything she lived for and hurt those she truly loved. 'Marion is deeply missed and will long be remembered by her true friends who worked side by side with her day in and day out for five decades. 'We urge you to reconsider what you are doing. If you proceed, you will not only be spreading falsehoods—you will be participating in the willful defamation of someone who can no longer defend herself, but who is not without people willing to do so.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
People are only just realising Tom Cruise's birth name and heartbreak behind change
Tom Cruise's childhood trauma provoked his decision to break free when he left his family home aged 18, going on to become one of the world's best-known film stars Film star Tom Cruise decided to shorten his name to distance himself from his traumatic childhood. Describing his father both as a bully and a coward, the actor decided to abbreviated his name from Thomas Cruise Mapother IV after a difficult start to life. Growing up in a strict Catholic household, his dad Thomas Cruise Mapother III would abuse him before moving out aged 18 as he headed for New York. He called his father a 'merchant of chaos' who would 'frequently intimidate and beat' Tom and his four sisters. It was the treatment that convinced him a fresh start was needed, and he shortened his name to symbolise breaking free from his unhappy childhood. Speaking to Parade magazine back in 2006, Tom said: "My father was the kind of person where, if something goes wrong, they kick you. It was a great lesson in my life - how he'd lull you in, make you feel safe and then, bang! For me, it was like, 'There's something wrong with this guy. Don't trust him. Be careful around him'. There's that anxiety." He was by his bedside as he died years later, and added: "When I saw him in pain, I thought, "Wow, what a lonely life,"' the Mission: Impossible star said. "He was in his late 40s. It was sad." The family grew up in near poverty, but riches were around the corner as he decided to move out as soon as he could. It wasn't Tom's only challenge. Speaking in 2009, actor told Spanish magazine XL Semanal he was diagnosed with the learning disability when he was seven. "I asked myself if I was normal or an idiot," he said. "I would try to concentrate but I felt anxiety, frustration, boredom. When I graduated from high school in 1980 I was functionally illiterate. Nobody gave me a solution and I wanted to know why the system had failed." The Top Gun star is said to share a special bond with his son Connor, who is based in a Scientology community in Clearwater, Florida, and spends a lot of time with his father, supporting him on promotional tours all around the world. It's a far cry from his strained relationship with daughter Suri, who was spotted enjoying the New York sunshine earlier today. It's been reported that the Hollywood actor hasn't seen her since his split from actress Katie Holmes and their bitter custody battle in 2012. It's claimed Tom's religion caused the breakdown of their marriage as Katie had fears about raising Suri as a Scientologist - and now father and daughter are said to be estranged. But Tom's other adopted kids, who are often forgotten, remain in the upper ranks of the Church of Scientology. In contrast to what happened with Suri, the elder two turned their backs on mum Nicole Kidman but still have a close relationship with their father. Isabella and Connor Cruise were adopted by Tom and Nicole in 1992 and 1995 respectively - and the Hollywood power couple got joint custody when they divorced in 2001. However, the kids decided to stay in LA with their dad when their mum moved back to Australia. Tom raised Bella and Connor in the Church of Scientology and they have both become high-ranking members of the controversial faith. "Connor and Isabella grew up in the church of Scientology, they've been members since they were kids,' a source told PEOPLE in 2019, adding that the siblings "are completely dedicated Scientologists just like Tom". Due to her alleged excommunication status as an "SP" [Suppressive Person], the kids have kept their distance from their mother. Appearing on GMTV in 2007, Nicole revealed that her kids "don't even call me 'Mom'" and she hated that they referred to her by her first name.
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
17 Popular Things That Did Not Live Up To The Hype
We recently wrote a post where people shared things that got sooo much hype, but turned out to be a disappointment. In the comments, more readers shared things that seemed promising but weren't actually worth it. Here's what they had to say: "Home automation. There are, like, 10–20 types of interfaces that don't work together or hate each other trying. It's pretty much a rip-off. Maybe children born this year will have better luck with it when they grow up." "In-N-Out Burger. Don't get me wrong — it's a good burger, but man, people go wild over that place! And the fries are kinda disappointing!" "White Castle burgers. I was shocked at how awful they were. A smear of some type of beef with onion mix on a dinner roll. Awful. Just awful." "Designer fragrances. Many brands started reformulating and watering down their perfumes, yet hiked up prices. Why would I keep paying more for a product that performs worse? Bonus points if said brand then releases a more concentrated version of the same perfume just to milk yet more money from customers. It's ridiculous." "The Hollywood Walk of Fame! Don't waste your time — it's dirty, has lots of crime, crowded as flip, and so much more! The first time my husband and I went, we got invited/guilted into talking to someone, and it was Scientology. Um, nope!" "Meal delivery services. We tried it. It just felt like paying the most for the least. I can go to Costco and get staple foods that won't require an hour-long commitment and come with truly horrendous pita bread." "The Big Bang Theory is a popular show I couldn't stand. The joke was always, 'smart people are really dumb, and dumb people are really smart.' It's so cringey." "All the new Marvel and Disney movies. They lost the magic." "The Mona Lisa. We finally got to Paris, and we went on a tour. They took us to the Louvre, and it was not what I had expected. Huge room. Tiny painting behind glass, and hundreds of people trying to see it, all packed in this room. I saw it from across the room and went to sit on a bench. Check, I saw it. Next. The tour guide was appalled." "Relocating to Florida. Overcrowded and overpriced. Salaries suck. For a nurse, it's $12 to $15 less than up north due to market saturation." "Prestigious or high-end handbags. Paying hundreds, even thousands, of dollars for a collection of overpriced handbags is wild. The one I carry all the time costs me $50 bucks. My high-end handbags are all safely resting in their protective cloth storage bags that come with the handbag for free." "Breaking Bad. Everyone went on and on about it. I tried to watch it three times but never passed the first series. It's the most boring and depressing series ever!" "Dubai Chocolate. It's not that good, and the prices people charge are outrageous." "NCIS Origins. The show started OK, but since we know about Gibbs, there are no big surprises here. Then, they put him on a team with LaLa. Their relationship started, and just when things were heating up, BOOM! They kill her off. Yeah, she had to go because we already know about Gibbs's past, but now, there's even less reason to watch. The supporting actors are just not developed enough." "New York City! It's so dirty, loud, and there's trash everywhere. The subway is disgusting, cab drivers always swear, and it's so crowded. I could go on and on! No, thank you!" "Last season of the Umbrella Academy. WTF. It seems like the writers didn't have any ideas left. Horrible and disappointing. Not worth watching. The previous season ended up with the characters being normal or so-called normal humans, and it was fine." And finally... "Swimming pools. Okay, so they are totally awesome and fun, BUT man, they are so much work and so expensive! Daily chemical checks, weekly paying someone to clean it, paying to fix parts for the pool and hot tub, annual cleaning off the tiles, etc. The scariest part is finding out that when you were out of state a few months ago, your neighbor's daughter had friends over daily, drinking and swimming in your yard!!! Scary, man, and expensive if someone got hurt!" Well, they were honest. What other things got a ton of hype but actually turned out disappointing? Tell us in the comments below, or if you prefer to remain anonymous, you can use the form below.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Isaac Hayes Was Forced by Scientology Leaders to Quit ‘South Park,' Says Son
It has been almost 20 years since Isaac Hayes left his voice role of Chef in 'South Park.' And it has also been 17 years since Hayes died at the age of 65. Now, the legendary performer's son Isaac Hayes III has addressed the long-held rumor as to why exactly his father Hayes left the popular Comedy Central series. It should first be noted that Hayes quit following the controversy regarding an episode that skewered Scientology entitled 'Trapped in the Closet' (Season 9, Episode 12), in which Stan joins Scientology after recruiters say he is the reincarnation of church founder L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology has long tentacles in the entertainment industry, even more publicly so in 2005 when the episode aired. Famous members like Tom Cruise and John Travolta were sent up in the episode. Years later, during the podcast 'Basic!,' 'South Park' co-creator Matt Stone explained why the writers chose to spoof Scientology. More from IndieWire Remembering Ozzy Osbourne, Rock's Prince of Darkness Who Also Created Reality TV as We Know It Judd Apatow Praises Viral 'Girls' Scene Amid 'Too Much' Buzz: Andrew Rannells Is a 'Remarkable' Actor 'Everyone knew Scientology was so litigious,' Stone said. 'People in Hollywood were scared of Scientology at the time because they would just sue you. I think that got us going. The Tom Cruise episode was really about getting sued. I mean, poking openly litigious people and seeing where the line is and what you can say. They picked a fight with us and we just went with it.' 'South Park' voice actor Hayes, though, was a scientologist in real life. The fallout from 'Trapped in the Closet,' his son says, is indeed the reason he quit 'South Park'…but it was not his dad's choice. 'For over 14 years, people have speculated about why my father left 'South Park.' I'm here to set the record straight. My dad did not quit 'South Park.' Scientology did,' Isaac Hayes III wrote on X. 'After the episode 'Trapped in the Closet' aired in 2005, my father suffered a stroke just a few months later that left him unable to speak or make decisions on his own. He was not in any condition to resign from anything. The truth is, someone else within his Scientology circle made that decision and quit the show for him.' In a 2016 THR piece, Hayes' son — also known as Ike Dirty — said, 'At the time, everybody around my father was involved in Scientology — his assistants, the core group of people. So someone quit South Park on Isaac Hayes' behalf. We don't know who.' In his Twitter post, Hayes III said that his father 'loved being the voice of Chef' and that he greatly enjoyed meeting fans. 'The narrative that he quit because he was offended by the satire is not true,' he wrote. 'That was a cover story created by others. My father never got to speak for himself because his health robbed him of that chance. So now I am speaking for him. He did not leave 'South Park' willingly. He was forced out by illness and by people who did not have his best interest at heart. This is for anyone who loved Chef. This is for anyone who admired my father's work. This is the truth about what really happened.' Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See Solve the daily Crossword
