Leah Remini Speaks Out On Scientology Departure

Leah Remini has finally broken her silence over her departure from Scientology.

“We stand united, my family and I, and I think that says a lot about who we are, and what we’re about,” the 43-year-old King of Queens star told People at the 15th annual DesignCare event in Malibu Saturday.

“I believe that people should be able to question things. I believe that people should value family, and value friendships, and hold those things sacrosanct,” Remini added. “That for me, that’s what I’m about. It wouldn’t matter what it was, simply because no one is going to tell me how I need to think, no one is going to tell me who I can, and cannot, talk to.”

Remini left the church after disagreements with David Miscavige, the most powerful man in Scientology. Remini questioned certain church policies — particularly those pertaining to excommunication — and was subjected to “thought modification.” She also asked why Miscavige’s wife, Shelly, wasn’t at Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise’s 2006 wedding. Tommy Davis, the head of the Scientology Celebrity Center, told her, “You don’t have the f***ing rank to ask about Shelly.”

Karen de la Carriere, the ex-wife of the president of Scientology, commended Remini for her courage in deciding to leave the church after more than three decades.

“Leah is extremely brave to leave the church, especially at this point in her life. It’s my hope that Leah reveal her experiences with the church, and what fallout if any she has received from leaving,” de la Carriere said. “Leah was at Tom Cruise’s wedding to Katie Holmes and knows a lot of information that the public would certainly find extremely interesting.”

De la Carriere also let Remini know that she doesn’t have to rebuild her life outside of Scientology by herself.

“There is a world of support out there for Leah,” she said. “She has stepped into the light and out of the darkness. She isn’t alone, and I’m so proud of her.”

Following news of her split from Scientology, Remini remained largely silent, aside from a short statement to The Hollywood Reporter thanking the media and fans for their support.

“I wish to share my sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the overwhelming positive response I have received from the media, my colleagues and fans from around the world,” Remini said. “I am truly grateful and thankful for all your support.”

And just in case her former fellow church members thought Remini was done speaking out against Scientology, she assures them she isn’t.

“It doesn’t matter, it could be anything. I thought about the family being broken up for some other cause, and I’m not about to shut up,” she said.

What do you think of Leah Remini’s split from Scientology?

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