Leah Remini Interview with Ellen DeGeneres: 'We Lost Friends' by Leaving Scientology (VIDEO)
Leah Remini gave her first interview since leaving the Church of Scientology and explained why she left and what it cost her and her family. The actress is scheduled to appear on the upcoming season of "Dancing With the Stars."
"My mother and I got involved [with Scientology] when we were really young, so it was all we really ever knew," Remini told host Ellen DeGeneres. "My eyes were opened, and I could no longer be affiliated" with the church. "We've lost friends that can no longer talk to us who are still in the organization."
DeGeneres appeared stunned at that revelation, but Remini continued on, appearing to choke up as she added that they were friends "we've had for dozens of years."
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The talk show host then told Remini she had a friend in her and in the audience, which brought a round of applause from the crowd. Remini created headlines when she decided to step away from the organization with the rest of her family. She told DeGeneres that it was a family decision and that they were staying together.
Remini, who starred on "The King of Queens" for several years and is now scheduled to appear on "Dancing With the Stars." Unfortunately, she was unable to be in New York City for the announcement and had to appear via video from California. It will be the first major appearance since the separation.
The Church of Scientology, which has been in the news rather frequently, has had to work extra hard against claims made by those supporting Remini's decision to leave. It has refuted allegations of interrogations and "thought modification," which it derides as "absurd and purse nonsense."
"Under the 25-year leadership of Mr. David Miscavige, following in the footsteps of our Founder, L. Ron Hubbard, the Church is enjoying tremendous expansion as shown in our new Churches opening on six continents and the many new parishioners joining their congregations," a spokesman told The Christian Post.
Watch video of Remini's interview HERE:
