Former Scientologist Leah Remini reveals the time she was punished for criticizing Tom Cruise
(ABC, Getty Images)
Leah Remini says that criticizing Tom Cruise is a huge offense in Scientology — and she knows from personal experience.
In a new preview of Friday's "20/20" special with Remini on "Good Morning America," the former "King of Queens" star expanded on her previous comment that "being critical of Tom Cruise is like being critical of Scientology itself."
Remini recalled receiving a request from Cruise to teach him salsa dancing. When she and her husband, Angelo Pagan, who happens to be a salsa musician, arrived at Cruise's home, he wasn't alone. They were joined by Cruise's then-new girlfriend, Katie Holmes, and two "high-ranking" Scientology officials.
"He was forcibly kissing Katie and I said, 'Eh, get a frickin' room?' and, well, I was written up for that," said Remini, who's promoting her new memoir, "Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology."
(TLC)
Leah Remini stars with her family — all former Scientologists — on the TLC show "It's All Relative."
Apparently, one of the officials turned her in for the comment by writing a "knowledge report," which details when members break the rules. The accused then must deal with the accusation in auditing sessions, meetings in which an auditor questions and listens to an individual address their mistakes.
"You can assume that if you say something that is critical to the Church, you'll be written up," Remini, 45, said. "Husband, wife, mother, daughter. It's what the group does to regulate itself."
Remini admits that she wrote many knowledge reports during her years in Scientology, even about her own husband.
"Hell, yeah, I wrote Angelo up all the time," she admitted.
Remini joined Scientology with her mother at 8. She left Scientology in July 2013 when she began to challenge the organization's control over its members. Her own daughter was also coming of age in the organization, and Remini said she didn't want that life for her.
Remini's "20/20" special airs Friday at 10 p.m. on ABC.
Watch the preview from "Good Morning America" below:
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