Former Scientologist Leah Remini has been speaking out against the Church of Scientology since she left it nine years ago. In an interview with People magazine, she said that leaving was hard because you can’t go back.
Remini, who left Scientology 30 years ago, has been a vocal critic of the church ever since. Last month, she even spoke out against Tom Cruise.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Remini said that “a lot of people don’t know” what goes on behind the scenes at Scientology events such as the annual New Year’s celebration in Clearwater, Florida—and she claimed it was “not fun.”
“They are not happy,” she said about those in attendance. “It’s just like any other party where you have to put on your best face and be fake.” She added: “There’s no laughing or smiling going on there—it’s all forced.”
Leah Remini Left Scientology 9 Years Ago
Remini also discussed how she’s been feeling about her past mistakes in the years since leaving Scientology, saying that she feels like she finally has the strength to confront them. “I feel like I’m accepting myself a lot more than I did before.
Back then, I would have been in my house and tried not to talk about it,” Remini said. “I don’t know why that was; it was just me being afraid of the consequences.”
Leah Remini has been speaking out against Scientology since 2016, when she became one of many members who left amid controversies surrounding leader David Miscavige and his wife, Shelly Miscavige (who is believed by some to be missing).
Since then, Leah Remini has been encouraging other ex-members of the organization on social media and with her acclaimed A&E docuseries Leah Remini: Scientology and The Aftermath.
Remini’s series featured her as she tried to brand herself as a successful actress after leaving Scientology. She said the church uses its members’ information against them. If someone leaves the church, they could find themselves being harassed by Scientologists trying to get that person back into the fold.
