Leah Remini Slams Scientology Super Bowl Ad: This Is Not a Religion!

Watching the Philadelphia Eagles pull out a nail-biter victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots is enough to make anyone consider the possibility that a benevolent higher power is pulling the strings of our universe and hates Bill Belichick just as much as the rest of us.

And the fine folks at the Church of Scientology would like you to consider the possibility that that godlike being is a spaceman who wants to help you rid yourself of all the pesky alien parasites that have been infecting your body since birth.

Yes, amidst all of the anticipated dilly dillies and Dortito-hawking celebs came an unexpected spot extolling the virtues of the world’s most controversial “religion.”

Sadly, David Harbour didn’t pop up and reveal it to be a Tide ad.

Really a missed opportunity…

Scientology commercials have become something of an annual tradition, and this is the sixth straight year that the CoS has shelled out the $ 5 million for a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl.

And, just as in years past, fans reacted with a mixture of confusion and consternation.

For some, there were questions as to how a non-profit enterprise can afford such an exorbitant fee.

Others wondered why such a shady organization is allowed to continue operating in the United States, virtually free of government interference.

Hell, were it not for Leah Remini we might forget that the likes Tom Cruise and Elisabeth Moss have been sucked in and reprogrammed by an organization that’s been accused of human trafficking, targeted harassment campaigns, and systematic sexual abuse.

Fortunately, Leah’s war against Scientology wages on, and the actress was quick to offer her two cents on last night’s jarring Super Bowl ad:

“Yet again Scientology spends millions to buy #SuperBowl ads. Scientology continues to behave as a for-profit company rather than a tax-exempt religion. #NotCurious,” Leah tweeted last night.

And it seems she wasn’t alone in her lack of curiosity regarding just what the Cult of Xenu has to offer:

“WHOA…. @Scientology took all the money they scam from poor, vulnerable people and spent it on a Super Bowl ad try to convince people they’re totally normal. What a way to spend your tithes,” tweeted one viewer.

“A Scientology ad?!!!” wrote another. “I knew the Super Bowl would be boring but I was not expecting SCARY.”

Yes, it seems the folks who run Scientology’s massive marketing and recruitment division forgot the key tenets of Super Bowl advertising:

Keep it simple; make us laugh; and whenever possible, get Peter Dinklage to lip-sync to Busta Rhymes.

View Slideshow: 17 Celebrity Scientologists

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Leah Remini: Scientologists Are Falsely Accusing Paul Haggis of Rape

If you’ve picked up a newspaper or been anywhere social media in the past three months, then you’re no doubt aware that the film industry has been shaken to its foundations by allegations of sexual assault against some of the most influential men in Hollywood.

While most of the accusations have centered around alleged attackers such as Harvey Weinstein abusing the power they attained through their wealth and fame, some have singled out problematic organizations such as the Church of Scientology, which for decades, has been haunted by reports of human trafficking and coerced sex acts.

For years now, Leah Remini has been publicly calling out the controversial cult for its abuse of low-level believers and the harassment campaigns they use to target former members.

Now, she’s coming to the defense of a fellow lapsed-Scientologist, filmmaker and two-time Oscar winner Paul Haggis.

On January 5, Haggis was accused of sexual misconduct by three women who offered accounts of incidents in which the Crash and Million Dollar Baby screenwriter groped or harassed them.

Earlier this week, Remini and her Scientology and the Aftermath co-host Mike Rinder posted an open letter in which they state their belief that Haggis is being framed as part of a Scientologist conspiracy.

“There is plenty of reason to worry about defending anyone accused of sexual assault in today’s climate. But the fear of consequences for speaking our truth has not held us back in the past and isn’t about to start now,” Remini and Rinder write.

“It is not a crime to be attracted to women (or men). It’s not a crime to flirt. Or to have sexual relations with someone,” they continued.

“It might not be acceptable to your significant other (if you have one), but it certainly isn’t criminal nor worthy of newspaper headlines.”

Remini and Rinder go on to point out the ways in which current Scientologists are persuaded to assist the church in tearing down the reputations of former members:

“Only a Scientologist can understand the pressure one feels to offer up even the slightest thing that the Scientology organization might consider a transgression of THEIR mores,” they write.

“Paul Haggis deserves, based on his record as a gentleman and humanitarian, to be judged when all the evidence has been taken under penalty of perjury in a court of law.

“Because claims of anonymous accusers who have NOT gone to law enforcement are not credible,” they conclude.

This is not the first time that Scientology and its controversial practices have been mentioned in connection with the recent wave of sexual assault scandals.

Several times over the past year, former That ’70s Show actor Danny Masterson was accused of rape, and his alleged victims say he used his position of power within the church to coerce them into performing sex acts.

Many believe that Masterson was able to avoid the professional consequences of his alleged actions

We’ll have further updates on this story as more information becomes available.

View Slideshow: 17 Celebrity Scientologists

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Leah Remini Responds to Angry Kevin Can Wait Fans: Get A Life, Nerds!

Last week, the CBS sitcom Kevin Can Wait stunned fans by killing off a central character in a brief scene that also featured an awkward joke about kung-fu lessons.

The reasoning behind the decision was clear, as producers had previously announced their intention to cut Erinn Hayes’ character from the show in order to replace her with Leah Remini in the role of Kevin James’ wife.

But even though they saw it coming, many fans were surprised by the manner in which the show bumped Hayes off.

The show dealt with the death of Donna Gable with a few throwaway lines and the aforementioned kung-fu joke.

Barb on Stranger Things got more of a heartfelt send-off.

Not surprisingly, fans of KCW were highly critical of the bizarre plot twist.

“Still disgusted with #kevincanwait. Season 1 was so good. I hope season 2 bombs & gets cancelled. @KevinJames @LeahRemini @KevinCanWaitCBS,” tweeted one viewer.

Never one to shy away from a conflict, Remini shot back on Twitter:

“How do you really feel? I feel like you are sugar coating it,” she tweeted, adding:

“1) I didn”t make that decision 2) it’s a sitcom & it isn’t that deep 3) she is on another show 4) real things are going on in the world.”

We get the point that Leah is trying to make here:

Not only is Kevin Can Wait a work of fiction, it’s a work of fiction that’s not intended to be taken seriously.

That said, it’s always a little irritating when people who make their living from the arts lash out at fans for forming an emotional attachment to their work.

We’re with Leah on her first three points, but she loses us on “real things are going on in the world.”

Yeah, we’re sure the people who are tweeting about your show are well aware of that, Leah.

1. All that stuff going on in the world is a big part of why people gravitate toward harmless diversions like old-school three-camera sitcoms, and…

2. Most people are capable of caring what happens on their favorite shows while remaining cognizant of the important issues of the day. These people also possess rare talents such as the ability to walk and chew gum at the same time.

Look, Leah Remini extricated herself from the Church of Scientology and is now boldly telling the world about her struggles.

She’s a badass and she’s earned our eternal respect and admiration.

But she’s also earned a ton of cash as an actress because of her ability to make audiences relate to and identify with the characters she portrays.

So maybe not going out of her way to alienate that audience would be the right call.

View Slideshow: 24 Shocking TV Deaths

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Leah Remini: Tom Cruise is "Diabolical," Truly Evil

Leah Remini rose to fame as a no-nonsense, straight talking character on the terrible CBS sitcom King of Queens.

And, based on her latest comments about Tom Cruise, it doesn’t sound as though this woman was a stretch for Remini to portray.

The actress, who will reunite with Kevin James this fall as a series regular on Kevin Can Wait, sat down this week for a Reddit AMA.

Asked at one point whether Cruise is a good person, Remini did not hold any opinion back.

“No! Just going to get straight to it, no!” she replied, expounding as follows:

“There is a public persona of the guy who looks at you directly in the eye and shakes your hand and hugs you and is an attentive person to you and there’s the person behind the mask who is a completely different person.”

In what way, exactly?

Remini tried to explain.

“Someone could say we all have that – what we are to the public and who we are behind the scenes,” she said.

“But the people who are around Tom and work for Tom, not even people who are Scientologists, they will say he is diaboloical [sic].”

Remini, of course, has become as famous at this point for her connection to the Church of Scientology as she is for her career.

An ex member of that religious organization (for which Cruise is essentially a spokesman), Remini has broken free from the alleged cult and spoken out against it.

Frequently and passionately.

She said late last year, for example, that Scientology is full of rape and forced abortions.

The star made these stunning accusations as part of the A&E series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.

In this AMA, Remini noted that some folks she has worked with in the past might say she “can be an asshole,” yet claimed it’s a different story for Cruise who is one of the most high-profile members of the Church of Scientology.

Probably the most high profile.

“He’s very similar to David Miscavige, they could be twins,” she wrote, referencing the organization’s leader.

A new season of Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath is on the way, one in which the host will once again delve into the dangers of her former religion.

She’s talked previously about the child abuse and sexual harassment that takes place within in.

“Tom and most Scientologists, all Scientologists, are taught to believe that people like me are literally the devil, that we mean them harm,” she told Larry King in December 2016 prior to claiming that the church is “defrauding people out of their lives.”

In regard to her assessment of Cruise, the Church of Scientology said via statement to Us Weekly:

“Leah Remini has been obsessed with the leader of the Scientology religion and with Mr. Cruise for years, ever since she made a scene at Mr. Cruise’s wedding when she couldn’t get the seat she wanted.

“Remini is only commenting on these two prominent individuals to generate media coverage for herself and her hate campaign.

“Remini is bent on inciting hate and bigotry against a worldwide religion and its parishioners and she will stop at nothing to grab attention.”

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Danny Masterson Vigorously Denies Rape Allegations, Points Finger at Leah Remini

Danny Masterson strenuously denies old rape allegations against him … and he’s claiming Leah Remini played a part in the cases coming to light. A rep for the “That ’70s Show” star tells TMZ … they’re aware of 16-year-old allegations…

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Leah Remini: Scientology Church is Full of Rape, Forced Abortions!

Leah Remini is about to unleash Scientology bombshells that will shake the very foundations of the controversial church. 

And naturally, you know, we can’t wait. 

In her new series, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, debuts on November 29th on A&E, and the trailer for the series is as about compelling as it gets. 

The feature showcases Remini and other former Scientologists discussing their experiences, and some of these stories are downright harrowing. 

In the clip, one of the interviewees talks about Scientology rape and forced abortions. 

Another person talks about being “beaten” by the “Pope” of Scientology. 

Further, a man addresses being beaten by Scientology’s CEO, David Miscavige. 

“David Miscavige took a hammer to my face,” the scarred man claimed. 

Remini’s end goal for the show is to “fight for your family,” she said.

“Fight for your sons, your daughters,” alluding to her own long and arduous break from Scientology, which almost consumed her family life. 

Leah says, “My whole life, I was a very dedicated Scientologist.” 

“I didn’t want to find out what I’d done was a lie.” 

“Something inside of me was saying ‘Get them out of this thing,’ ” she revealed about her family’s ties to the CoS. 

Another woman explained, “I was 14 when I started in Scientology.” 

“I had a boss who was 35 years old and we had sex.” 

“The organization,” she revealed, “did not tell my mother, did not tell the police, they’re gonna sweep it under the carpet, and it’ll all be over with.” 

Remini also talks about abuse and abortions within the Church. 

In a report by Radar Online, it was mentioned that Remini was even followed by those believed to be part of the organization while she filmed the aforementioned documentary. 

Remini reportedly revealed, “I was having dinner with [friends], and I noticed two cars parked across the street in an empty lot.

“I asked [one of the friends], do you think we’re being followed?”

“They weren’t doing a very good job of being inconspicuous,” she was said to claim. “I think they wanted to be seen.”

“I was with Mike Rinder [former senior executive of the Church of Scientology International and Sea Org] and it became obvious that they were spying on us,” she admitted. 

“I’m used to people following me,” she conceded, “but I’m used to them being paparazzi.”

“They’re people who have cameras in their hands, and you know what they want. I’ve never been a fan of the paparazzi.”

“But this was different,” she continued.

“I want to expose the private investigators that Scientology is sending to follow people like me.”

“This causes me some concern,” she added. “I have a child.”  

We don’t know about y’all, but we sure can’t wait to sink our teeth into some juicy SP dirt later this month. 

Meanwhile, be easy, Remini – and careful, too. 

View Slideshow: 17 Celebrity Scientologists

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Leah Remini Opens Up About Scientology on Watch What Happens Live!

Scientology has dominated some of Hollywood’s most elite players.  Though the “church” has been the subject of much speculation and criticism, it still draws in the attention (and money) of celebrities.

But not all celebrities are fans of Scientology.

Actress Leah Remini, who authored Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, sat down with Andy Cohen on Wednesday’s episode of Watch What Happens Live to talk about life as a former Scientologist.

In her memoir, Remini details accounts of child abuse and sexual harassment within the “religion.” And after reading about her experiences as a Scientologist, Cohen followed up with questions from both himself and viewers.

“I have follow-up questions to the book,” Cohen told Remini on the set of WWHL. ”I read it and I’m fascinated, and I know the viewers have a lot of questions.”

The Bravo executive asked Remini “how much money” she deposited into The Church of Scientology throughout the years that she was affiliated with the organization.

The King of Queens star responded, claiming that she gave $ 3 million—at least!

Cohen then asked the 45-year-old actress to expound upon other celebrities/church members who try to maintain relationships with former members.

Referring to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ daughter Suri, Cohen said, ”For example, I’m fascinated by the Tom Cruise thing in terms of his daughter. If she allegedly left the church . . . If she’s no longer a Scientologist, then does that mean he can’t be in touch with her?”

Remini explained that the church refuses the right to maintain contact with former Scientologists.

“Well, she’s a baby. She’s a child,” Remini said about 9-year-old Suri. “She doesn’t have a choice.”

“No, but the policy of the church is you can’t be connected to someone who’s committed a suppressive act, which I have. Katie has, per church policy. You can’t be connected to that. You have to shun that particular person,” she continued.

In her book, Remini disclosed information about Cruise’s influence within Scientology.  Cohen commented that her account of how Cruise treats other was “utterly shocking.”

“He appeared to have an enormous amount of power within the church,” Remini explained.

Cohen also questioned Remini about Scientology’s other mega-celeb: John Travolta. “You didn’t mention [John] Travolta much,” he mentioned.

“He’s a very sweet man, and he loves the technology of Scientology,” Remini replied. “He’s been lovely.”

A caller during the after show asked Remini if she regrets subscribing to Scientology.

“Regrets? No, I’m here now,” she answered. “I wouldn’t be here in this moment between these two wonderful people. I’m happy that I’m here with experience.”

Leah Remini left Scientology in July 2013 because she was concerned its ideology would negatively influence her daughter.

10 Stunning Tom Cruise Claims Leveled by Leah Remini

Leah Remini has come out with a memoir titled "Troublemaker."

It recounts her many years as a Scientologist, giving readers a look into her life as part of this controversial religion.

She spent a long time as one of the group’s elite members, meaning she had many interactions with its most elite member, Tom Cruise.

What can Remini reveal about Cruise? A whole lot! Scroll down for the 9 most stunning revelations…

1. How did they meet?

The actress says she made a $ 1 million donation to the International Association of Scientologists in the mid-200s. She was therefore brought directly into the main fold… and ended up teaching Cruise how to Salsa dance after being introduced to him by Cruise’s church liaison.

2. Cruise loves to play Hide and Seek!

Remini says she was hanging out with Cruise, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett one night when he, very seriously, asked her to play Hide and Seek with them. After she declined the invitation because she was wearing Jimmy Choo shoes, she says Cruise replied: “Well, good. So you’re It,’ then,” and tagged her before running off to hide.

3. Cruise has a major temper

She recounts a strange story in which Cruise wanted to make cookies, but couldn’t find the cookie dough and berated an assistant as a result. She writes: “Tom comes across with an almost presidential charm to the public, but seeing him treat people this way was utterly shocking.”

4. Keeping jumping, Tom!

The Church was fully behind Cruise after his infamous couch-jumping incident on Oprah. “The guy’s really happy, and you should be happy for him,” Remini recalls her church liaison, Shane Woodruff, telling her.

5. You tell ’em, Tom!

She says the Church was also all about Cruise’s Today show takedown of Brooke Shields, actually following it up with a presentation at the Shrine Auditorium, where they bragged that prescriptions for psychotropic drugs were down “something like 500 percent, thanks to Tom and his recent comments. According to the church, Tom had single-handedly taken down the psychiatric profession.”

6. On the J. Lo?

Once Cruise learned Remini was good friends with Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, he insisted she invite them to him and Katie Holmes’ wedding… despite barely knowing the singers at all. Why? Keep reading for the answer…

View Slideshow

Tom Cruise Hates John Travolta, Throws Tantrums Over Cookie Dough, Leah Remini Says

Over the past week, Leah Remini has given a number of candid interviews about her time as a member of the Church of Scientology.

Remini has gone into detail about why she left Scientology. She’s made shocking allegations about the sexual harassment she suffered as a young member of the Church.

But perhaps it’s not surprising that the comments that are garnering the most attention are Leah’s criticisms of Scientology’s golden boy, Tom Cruise.

Remini’s new memoir, which hits stores today, details several incidents of shocking behavior from Cruise.

In an excerpt released yesterday, Remini claimed that she once saw Cruise and Katie Holmes neglect their daughter, as Suri – who was just 7 months old at the time – laid screaming on a bathroom floor.

Leah’s latest revelations are pretty tame by comparison, but they still paint a picture Cruise as a seriously troubled and possibly abusive man.

In new excerpts from Remini’s book obtained by Radar Online, the actress opens up about her time as a member of Cruise’s handpicked inner-circle – and all the bizarre behavior she witnessed during that very strange time in her life.

Remini writes that she was one of several Hollywood stars to be chosen for the Cruise Crew, but notes that big-name Scientologists such as John Travolta and Kirstie Alley were excluded from the group.

“I had heard that Tom didn’t like them,” Remini writes.

She goes on to say that remaining in Tom’s good graces meant engaging in weirdly childlike activities, such as massive games of hide and seek.

According to Remini, Cruise’s childishness extends to his temper, and she recalls seeing him berate an assistant who Cruise believed had forgotten the cookie dough necessary for an afternoon of baking with his “friends.”

“Get in the f–king present time, is what you need to do!” Cruise reportedly screamed. “It was horrible to watch someone I admired come undone, and even worse to witness the fear in the assistant’s eyes.”

View Slideshow: 53 Fun Photos of Tom Cruise

Leah Remini Accuses Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes of Neglecting Suri

Over the past week, Leah Remini has launched a full-blown media attack on the Church of Scientology, of which she was a member for several decades.

Leah"s been speaking about her time as a Scientologist in order to promote her scathing new memoir, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology.

In a recently released excerpt, Remini detailed the sexual abuse and harassment that she experienced as a young woman in the church.

Now, Leah is going after the controversial religion"s golden boy, Tom Cruise.

Today, another excerpt from the book, which hits stores on Tuesday, was released to the public, and it includes some shocking allegations about Cruise and his then-wife, Katie Holmes.

According to Remini, she attended a pre-wedding dinner at Cruise"s home, and she rode to the party in a car with Cruise"s children from his first marriage to Nicole Kidman.

When Remini asked Isabella Cruise if she planned to see her mother soon, the then-13-year-old snapped, "Not if I have a choice. Our mom is a f–king SP."

SP stands for "suppressive person," Scientologist jargon for a friend or family member who attempts to talk a believer into quitting the faith.

Isabella Cruise got married last month and didn"t invite either of her parents to the ceremony.

More shocking than the odd nature of Cruise"s relationship with his older children, however, is the shocking neglect of youngest daughter Suri Cruise that Remini says she witnessed upon arriving at the dinner.

Remini claims that Suri – then just 7 months old – was left to scream and cry on a bathroom floor while adults milled about pretending that nothing was wrong.

Remini was eventually able to convince some women who were standing nearby to assist with her cleaning the baby up and giving her warm milk.

Tellingly, Holmes issued a statement apologizing for her past mistreatment of Remini and did not deny that the Suri incident occurred as she described it.

Watch Remini discuss her feelings about Scientology and her relationship with Holmes in the video below:

 

Leah Remini Details Child Abuse, Sexual Harassment Rampant in Scientology

Earlier this week, Leah Remini opened up about why she left the Church of Scientology in the sort of scathing interview that’s now common amongst CoS defectors.

Today, new excerpts from Remini’s memoir were released, and they offer even more shocking details about the actress’ involvement with America’s most controversial religious organization.

In the book – entitled Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology – Remini recalls being forced to do hard labor starting at age 13.

She says she and dozens of other children would put in 12 hour days  “pulling up tree roots with our bare hands, working heavy machinery [and] cleaning bathrooms and hotel rooms.”

Remini claims the children were barely fed and only received $ 15 a week for their work. She says she often got so hungry that she would steal food from the hotel rooms she was cleaning.

She adds that church officials thought nothing of making crude sexual remarks to the children, and that one high-ranking elder remarked to her 13-year-old sister, “You have big t-ts for such a young girl.”

Remini also says she was once forced to “physically act out the sexual policy” of the church by “rubbing together” items found in an office.

Even more shocking is Remini’s claim that infants with Scientologist parents are often abused and neglected by members of the church who are supposed to be looking after them:

“[One room] was filled with cribs of crying, neglected babies, flies, and the smell of dirty diapers,” she writes. “The only ventilation came from a huge fan by the window. The neglect was overwhelming.”

Remini has confirmed claims that Tom Cruise has been brainwashed by Scientology and that church members are forbidden to speak ill of the actor.

Though Cruise is the church’s most famous member, Remini says so many Hollywood bigwigs are devout Scientologists that she believed coming out against the faith would mean the end of her career.

Leah Remini Speaks on Scientology: Why Did She Leave?

Leah Remini is no longer a member of The Church of Scientology.

And while the actress has explained her split from the religion in the past, she opens up again this week in an interview with 20/20.

Remini (who rose to fame as the wife of Kevin James on King of Queens) says she joined the church as an impressionable youth and that the experience shaped her formative years.

"Because Scientologists view children as spiritual beings, you"re not treated as a kid," she said in a clip that first aired on Good Morning America Thursday.

"So you"re given a lot of responsibility. Your ego becomes extremely inflated." 

The 45-year old said on her reality program (Leah Remini: It"s All Relative) earlier this year that she left Scientology due to her daughter, who is being raised Catholic.

In this 20/20 clip, from a Q&A that will air in full on October 30, Remini says her mother brought her into the church as a kid; after joining, she was immediately brought "on course."

This means one learns how to apply the Scientology teachings to oneself and also to others and that the goal is, simply to "save the planet."

The star left for good in 2013 and has written a book titled “Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology” about the experience.

"The decision to leave is your giving up everything you have ever known and everything you have worked for your whole life," she says.

"I feel that people need to understand this has been my whole life. I want people to understand how it happens."

Check out the interview snippet below and then follow the proceeding link to see just how many famous Scientologists are out there.