Leah Remini is once again speaking out against the Church of Scientology — and she isn’t holding back. In a bold new interview with US Magazine, the former Scientologist and Emmy-winning activist has taken aim at two of Hollywood’s biggest stars: Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
“They’re Still In It — They Just Stay Quiet”
Remini, who famously left the Church in 2013, believes that many celebrity Scientologists are staying silent not because they’ve distanced themselves from the religion, but because they don’t want to risk their careers. “They’re being exposed for what they truly believe in,” she said. “And they realized, ‘We better shut up, or we’re not going to have careers.’ But that doesn’t mean they aren’t still in full agreement with what the Church does.”
Cruise: Scientology’s “Perfect Poster Boy”
The King of Queens star didn’t mince words when it came to Tom Cruise. Remini says she no longer believes the actor is simply a bystander. Instead, she claims he’s deeply involved in how the Church operates. “He’s the example of Scientology. They chose the right guy,” she said, adding that Cruise’s public image is carefully managed by the Church, which she claims uses its resources to protect him.
“He has a multi-million-dollar organization doing his dirty work,” Leah claimed. She says damaging press is quickly buried, and efforts to expose him are met with aggressive tactics. “They used all kinds of resources to stop a book from being written about him — just so Tom wouldn’t see it,” she alleged.
Travolta and the Cost of Loyalty
While John Travolta has remained more private about his involvement, Leah believes his continued affiliation with Scientology has hurt his public image. “I believe it’s hurt Tom and John — and rightfully so,” she said. “If they ever wanted a real life, to be who they really are, they’d have to leave the organization.”
“They Need Scientology to Survive”
When asked if she thinks either of the actors will ever leave the Church, Leah was candid. “I used to hope a lot of these people would leave,” she said. “But I kind of feel like they need Scientology. I don’t know if they’d make it in the real world.”
Awkward Encounter with Laura Prepon
Leah also shared a brief but telling moment with former Scientologist and That ’70s Show star Laura Prepon. “Poor Laura saw me at a party with Chelsea Handler and ran out,” she said. “It’s a high crime for Scientologists to speak to me. You can’t even be in the same room with me.”
Still Fighting: Leah Remini and Tom Cruise
Since leaving the Church, Remini has become one of its most vocal critics through her docuseries Scientology and the Aftermath, which she co-hosted with ex-Scientology official Mike Rinder. She says he left with thousands of internal Church documents — including many she claims document how Cruise’s image was protected at all costs.
“Tom is shielded by Scientology,” she said. “Can you imagine him in the real world without it? I can’t.”
