Following the passing of Kirstie Alley, a Scientologist up until her death earlier this week, Leah Remini has released a statement.
“The news of Kirstie Alley’s passing is very sad,” the 52-year-old King of Queens actress said in an interview with Rolling Stone. Remini went on to say that she was praying for Alley’s children, William True Stevenson and Lillie Price Stevenson.
“Although Scientologists don’t believe in prayers, my prayers do go out to her two children, who are now without their mom,” she continued. “I hope they can, one day, free themselves of this dangerous and toxic organization.”
Remini left the church in 2013, and since then, she has used her platform to criticise her previous faith.
Alley’s children broke the news of her passing in a statement, saying: “We are heartbroken to inform you that our beautiful, fierce, and loving mother has passed away.”
Alley lost her battle with cancer, which was “only recently discovered,” according to their explanation.
“She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead,” Alley’s children continued. “As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”
The Saved by the Bell alum used social media earlier this year to criticise Tom Cruise, who is arguably the most well-known member of her old church.
Remini tweeted the following alongside a screenshot of Headley’s extensive Facebook post: “Thank you to my friend @claireheadley for your courage. You have continued to speak out despite the non-stop attacks from Scientology. And as Claire says in her post below, Tom Cruise knows exactly what goes on in Scientology. Don’t let the movie star charm fool you.”
Headley’s post read: “Glad all you Top Gun fans are enjoying the new movie. Personally, recent posts about this movie only serve to remind me of Tom Cruise and his crimes against humanity.
“Extreme, you may think? Destroying families is a crime against humanity. My opinion. Ask yourself: When is the last time Tom talked to his only biological daughter, Suri? Remember Katie Holmes and her extreme efforts to break free of his and Scientology’s control?
“Tom Cruise promotes a dangerous cult that destroyed my family too, the same cult that almost cost me my marriage and my life.
“The same cult that forced me to have two abortions, and which I fled from in 2005 with the clothes on my back and $200 in my pocket, to which they tracked me down, across state lines, to attempt to prevent my escape. Thank God they failed.
“So no, I will not watch the movie, nor will I ever support or approve of this scam of a man. Trust me, Tom Cruise knows exactly who he is supporting and the abuses that organization perpetrates. I worked with him while I was there.
“No doubt my post will likely ‘disappear’ with Facebook algorithms, I feel better saying it nonetheless. And thank you to my friends who understand. You know who you are.”
Featured image credit: O’Connor/AFF-USA / Alamy
