Leah Remini is leaving the Church of Scientology for good after calling it "corrupt," US Weekly reports. According to New York Post's Page Six the "King of Queens" actress made a "dramatic break" from the religion that is often credited to being connected to many of Hollywood's stars including Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley.
According to Page six, Remini started questioning and criticizing the Church's practices. She even criticized the Church leader, David Miscavige and as a result was "subjected to many years of interrogations and thought modifications."
Remini's suspicion and skepticism reportedly began in 2006 at Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' wedding in Italy. Many celebrities attended the wedding including Miscavige. Remini found it odd that Miscavige's wife, shelly, was not at the high profile wedding because Cruise is a well-respected member of the Church. There had also been suspicion surrounding Shelly, who has reportedly not been seen in public since 2007.
Tony Ortega, former editor of Village Voice who has written about the religion since 1995, was the first to report on Remini leaving the religion on his blog. According to Ortega, while at the wedding the former "Talk" co-host was asking about Shelly's absence.
"Notably absent, however, was Miscavige's wife, Shelly. Remini dared to ask about it - and loudly," Ortega wrote. "When she asked about it she was told to shut up, as if the question itself was out of line. That did not sit well with the actress, who is known for speaking her mind. When she returned from Italy she did what Scientologists are told not do when they see something that they consider against the church's rules - she wrote a "Knowledge Report."
Sources told Ortega that in Remini's report she criticized Miscavige, his personal communicator, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and other people who are looked at as higher ups in the Church.
"She is stepping back from a regime she thinks is corrupt," a source told Page Six. They also added that Remini had "questioned the validity of excommunication of people. She thinks no religion should tear apart a family or abuse someone under the umbrella of 'religion.'"
A rep of the church told US Weekly that they respect the privacy of their members and would not comment on Page Six's story.
