Advertisement 1

Leah Remini ending Scientology docuseries amid complications with church, vows to keep fighting

Article content

After three seasons, Leah Remini is putting an end to her shocking docuseries, Scientology and the Aftermath.

The Hollywood actress and anti-Scientology activist, who quit the religion in 2013, will air her final, two-hour episode on Aug. 26. These will be filmed in front of a live studio audience of former members and will showcase testimonials from Scientology victims. Remini, 49, will reportedly prove, through these testimonials, that the controversial religion’s bizarre policies have obstructed members from reporting cases of sexual assault and physical violence to authorities.

Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content

The rape accusations against actor and Scientologist Danny Masterson — which he’s vehemently denied — will also be subject in the episode.

Article content

RadarOnline.com readers know that Remini and fellow Scientology defector Mike Rinder have spoken out on complex issues regarding the religion for 36 episodes, putting their reputations, their careers, and even their lives at risk.

“They can believe whatever the f— they want,” says Remini of the Scientology leaders. “But they can’t just do whatever the f— they want.”

Recommended from Editorial
  1. General view of the Church of Scientology community centre in the neighborhood of South Los Angeles on June 5, 2013 in Los Angeles, Calif.  (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
    Church of Scientology sued for kidnapping, human trafficking and stalking
  2. Danny Masterson arrives at the Los Angeles Premiere of Marvel Studios 'Ant-Man' at Dolby Theatre on June 29, 2015, in Hollywood, Calif.
    4 sex assault accusers sue Danny Masterson, Scientology leaders
  3. In this July 19, 2009 file photo, actor Tom Cruise, son Connor, lower right, and daughter Isabella react to a missed goal by the Los Angeles Galaxy during the MLS game against AC Milan at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
    'THANK YOU DAD': Tom Cruise’s daughter Isabella featured in Scientology promo

In a Q&A with The Hollywood Reporter, Remini said that the reason she’s ending her show is because the church has made it nearly impossible for TV producers and advertisers to keep it going.

“Advertisers are not sitting there going, “Are these real religious people? Is this religious bigotry?” They don’t want any of this bulls— nonsense. They don’t want to be known as bigots. So their first instinct is to say, “Look, we know this is a crazy organization, but we don’t want any part of that.” They want advertisers to say that. It’s all a charade. I mean, what person wants that in front of their office building?” she explained.

Advertisement 3
Story continues below
Article content
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

The actress, however, assured that she will not stop fighting to expose Scientology for what it truly is — even if, after three decades as a member, the fight has actually hindered her healing process.

“I don’t know that it’s helped my recovery. Most people, when they get out of an abusive relationship, hopefully start doing the work to heal. I just haven’t been able to do that. It’s opened up a can of worms for me. I didn’t know, as a parishioner, that these things were going on,” she said. “Obviously I understood the policies of Scientology, because we all read the same things, but you don’t truly understand what’s going on. You see me, I’m shocked in these episodes.”

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Knowing that there are still rapes, abuse, and suicides going on under the Scientology leaders’ noses, however, is what keeps Remini going.

She added that “when Scientology’s tax exempt status is revoked and people are in prison, that’s when I’ll start healing. Until then, I’m still in the fight.”

“We’ve done our job. The public is seeing what a truly evil organization it is,” she said.

Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

This Week in Flyers