Seven months after famously cutting ties with the Church of Scientology, actress Leah Remini opens up about why she left.
The revelation comes as part of an interview with BuzzFeed about the “hardest year of her life.” The former “King of Queens” star told the outlet the church made her lose sight of her family.
"In my house, it's family first – but I was spending most of my time at the church. So, I was saying 'family first,' but I wasn't showing that. I didn't like the message that sent my daughter." (Via BuzzFeed)
Remini says Scientology officials were “controlling and intimidating”, but points out she’s the type who wasn’t afraid to push back.
Leading up to her exodus, Remini says she lost friends while trying to instigate change. Most people were too concerned their own lives would be disrupted if they helped the actress.
Her former friend and church member Kirstie Alley publicly called Remini “repulsive and a bigot” for her actions.
Another breaking point came when her daughter Sofia was reaching the age for auditing, an intense questioning practice to gain entry into Scientology. Remini didn’t want Sofia to go through the process, and recalled her own mother put the Church of Scientology before her family and she resented her for it.
Remini has since been working on rebuilding her life -- she competed on “Dancing With the Stars,” is working on a memoir and is pitching TV shows. She also signed on to TVLand’s “The Exes.”
Remini says the resentment is gone now and she’s never been closer with her own mother. Other things that have helped her get over the Church: her best friend, Jennifer Lopez -- and a good glass of wine.
