Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Leah Remini Thanks Those Who Spoke Out Against Scientology In 'Going Clear'
Leah Remini (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Actress and ex-Scientologist Leah Remini thanked everyone involved in HBO's damning Scientology documentary, Going Clear.On Sunday night, the film aired on HBO, and it painted a dark picture of the abuses inside the powerful Church of Scientology through interviews with high-ranking defectors and footage from inside the church's religious meetings.
Remini tweeted that same night: "Thank you to the brave who did something about it. And to those who didn't have a voice, you do now. #GoingClear"
The 44-year-old Kings of Queens star had been a prominent Scientologist for more than 30 years before leaving the church in July 2013. For months Remini stayed mum about her reasons for defecting, although a source told the New York Post that Remini left because she was upset with how nobody was able to question Scientology leader David Miscavige's management and the church forced members to "disconnect" with others they found to be "suppressive persons," like people who chose to leave the church. In Feb. 2014, Remini told BuzzFeed that there were many reasons behind her defection, but the biggest reason was her daughter. At the time, her daughter was nearing the age to start the auditing process, Scientology's form of counseling, and it got her thinking. Remini said Scientology follows a mantra of "Church First," and she didn't like the message that it was sending to her daughter.
She wanted to make changes within the church and spoke to her Scientology friends about it. However, that fell on deaf ears. “We had a chance to make a change from within, but they didn’t want to,” Remini said. “That showed me they didn’t actually care, which went against everything I thought we stood for. They only cared that their lives would be disrupted if they stood with me. They didn’t care about doing the right thing. That showed me everything the Church taught me was a lie.”
After that interview, the Church of Scientology sent a statement to PEOPLE, calling Remini "self-absorbed" and that her comments were "absurd" and "insulting."
Related:
The Challenges Of Making A Scientology Documentary, According To 'Going Clear' Director
Review: Scientology Documentary 'Going Clear' Exposes The Horrors Of The Religion
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
