If you’ve seen the documentaries Going Clear or Louis Theroux’s My Scientology Movie, you’d be well aware that Scientology is a religious movement that has been shrouded in mystery for decades. Scientology is often referred to as ‘the Church of the Stars’ or a “star-studded sect” due to its impressive celebrity following. However, not all high profile scientologists have had a good experience with the religious movements. Here are some of the most noteworthy celebrity scientology scandals:
Tom Cruise & Brooke Shields
In 2005, actor and devout scientologist Tom Cruise called Brooke Shields “irresponsible” for revealing she used antidepressants for postpartum depression in her book Down Came The Rain. In response, Shields said, “Tom should stick to saving the world from aliens and let women who are experiencing postpartum depression decide what treatment options are best for them.” Brooke Shields comments were clearly a swipe at Tom Cruise’s love of scientology and the religions’s science fiction origins.
Lisa Marie Presley
In 2012, Lisa Marie Presley – the daughter of Elvis – left the Church of Scientology and allegedly disguised her criticism of the organisation in a song called ‘So Long’. She told Insider of her celebrity Scientology scandal, “I had a very obscure and actually completely blocked view of reality for a very long time. So, when I got rid of all these nuts in my life and these, whatever they’re crazy criminal people, away, that I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to find out what’s really going on out there.'”
Katie Holmes
According to RadarOnline, Before Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise divorced in 2012, the actress pushed for an “ironclad” clause in her pre-nuptial agreement that would limit daughter Suri’s involvement in Scientology or be exposed to anything Scientology-related, including going to any Scientology churches or parties.
Leah Remini
The King of Queens actress Leah Remini grew up in the Church of Scientology. She left the organisation in 2013, but became outspoken candidate against the church in the ensuing years. According to high-ranking Sea Org member Mike Rinder, Remini’s problems with Scientology started when she began asking about the whereabouts of leader David Miscavage’s wife, Shelly. In 2016, Remini developed a TV series about her celebrity Scientology scandal and in a statement said, “For too long, this multi-billion-dollar organisation bullied victims and journalists to prevent the truth from being told. It is my hope that we shed light on information that makes the world aware of what is really going on and encourages others to speak up so the abuses can be ended forever.”
Speaking of hidden secrets, hear about recent Ghislaine Maxwell conspiracies below:
Shelly Miscavige
Speaking of Shelly Miscavige – the wife of the Church’s leader David Miscavige is perhaps one of the greatest ‘celebrity’ scandals and mysteries of Scientology. In 2006, David Miscavige left Scientology’s international base. Reports say Shelly “visibly change” upon his return and had asked Church spokesman Mike Rinder if her husband was still wearing his wedding ring. After, she stopped making public in appearances and has not appeared in public – at all – since August 2007. Missing person reports have been filed but the Church of Scientology refuses to comment on Shelly Miscavige’s location.
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