EXPOSED! Top 10 Most Shocking Celebrity Scientology Secrets & Scandals
June 6 2016, Updated 9:48 a.m. ET
Year after year, the Church of Scientology continues to be mired in controversy. Take a look at some of the biggest scandal to hit its members — both past and present!
Mission Impossible NY Premiere
Tom Cruise: The celebrity face of Scientology has been a member of the church since 1990, after getting an introduction from then-wife Mimi Rogers. His involvement in the religion would later play a role in his divorce from Katie Holmes in 2012, he admitted in a shocking court disposition.
Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Mad Max: Fury Road” – Red Carpet
Lisa Marie Presley: Elvis' daughter, 48, reportedly left the church in 2014 after being a lifelong member. Since her departure, the singer has been monitored by the church and remains under close watch today, Scientology blogger Tony Ortega exclusively told Radar. Scientology denies they target ex-members.
Us Weekly Hot Hollywood Style Issue Celebration – Arrivals
Leah Remini: Remini famously left the church in 2013 after practicing for over 30 years. In 2015, she released her tell-all book, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology. The book claimed that Tom Cruise often threw hissy fits and was often "childish." Scientology denied her claims.
“Kirstie” Series Premiere Party – Arrivals
Kirstie Alley: The 65-year-old actress is another longtime Scientology member, and she publicly sparred with Remini over her behavior after leaving the church. Alley confessed her true feelings to Howard Stern: "I have blocked her on Twitter," she said. "Because she's a bigot. If someone was really out there saying negative things about your religion, would they be your friend? They wouldn't be mine. It's not selective, I just won't have people in my life that are that."
76th Anniversary of the Church of Scientology
John Travolta: The actor has been one of Scientology's most famous members since joining in the 1970s. Since then, he has credited the controversial religion with helping him get over the death of his son, Jett. During an interview with Good Morning America in April 2015, he defended the religion following HBO's documentary Going Clear. "Sometimes when something really works well it becomes a target," he claimed.
Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre 45th Anniversary Gala
Kelly Preston: Travolta's wife is also a longtime Scientology devotee. In 2011, she told the TODAY show that she underwent a "silent birth" while welcoming son Benjamin into the world in 2010. The then-48-year-old revealed that the birthing style – which prohibits any talking during labor – is a common practice among Scientologists. Scientology explains the practice is "all about providing the best possible environment for the birthing mother and her new baby."
The 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards – Red Carpet
Laura Prepon: The Orange is the New Black actress has been a proud Scientologist since 1999. But is she in denial about claims the church discriminates against gay members? "I've been a Scientologist since 1999 and I've never come across any piece of info that's negative or derogatory towards the LGBT community," Prepon told Fusion.
“Taste Of Springfield” Press Event At Universal Studios Hollywood
Nancy Cartwright: Famous for voicing Bart Simpson and many other cartoon characters, Cartwright came under fire in 2009 for using her "Bart Simpson voice" to promote a Scientology event. Cartwright, 58, has been a devout member of the church since 1989 and has since donated millions to the church.
“Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice” New York Premiere – Inside Arrivals
Will Smith: In 2008, the Daily News reported that Will Smith actively recruited for the church after being coaxed by Tom Cruise. A month before the story broke, Smith told Access Hollywood: "I was introduced to it by Tom, and I'm a student of world religion. I was raised in a Baptist household. I went to a Catholic school, but the ideas of the Bible are 98% the same ideas of Scientology, 98% the same ideas of Hinduism and Buddhism." But in 2015, a former Scientology senior executive insisted Smith is "not a Scientologist."
47th NAACP Image Awards Presented By TV One – Backstage And Audience
Jada Pinkett Smith: Smith's wife raised suspicion after she announced her support for a school that piggyback Scientology values. But in September 2008, Will set the record straight on FOX News, denying claims that he and his family were members of the church. "I am not," he said. "You can take different parts of things you like and put them all together."