Hey there! Let's dive into the fascinating world of Leah Remini, the talented actress best known for her role in King of Queens. But there's more to her story than just her acting career. In recent years, Leah has become a vocal critic of the Church of Scientology, a move that has sparked a lot of curiosity among her fans. You might be wondering, why exactly did she leave the church? And what else makes Leah such an intriguing figure? Let's explore her journey and uncover some interesting facts about this remarkable woman.
Leah's Bold Decision: Why She Left Scientology
Leah's connection to Scientology began when she was just nine years old, following in the footsteps of her mother, Vicki Marshall, who had joined the religion. However, in July 2013, Leah made the bold decision to leave the church. She cited several reasons for this move, including her belief that the church's policies, which forbid members from questioning the management of its leader, David Miscavige, were corrupt. Leah was also deeply troubled by reports of abuse within the Sea Org, the church's policy of "disconnection" from non-believers, and the labeling of former members as "suppressive persons." These issues weighed heavily on her conscience and ultimately led her to part ways with the church.
When Leah started questioning certain aspects of Scientology's belief system, she faced years of intense interrogations and was eventually blacklisted by the church and its members. Despite the challenges, she stood her ground, driven by her desire to prioritize her young daughter. In an interview with BuzzFeed, Leah revealed, "In my house, it’s family first. But I was spending most of my time at the church. So, I was saying 'family first,' but I wasn’t showing that. I didn’t like the message that sent to my daughter." It was this realization that solidified her decision to leave Scientology behind.
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Leah proudly holding her tell-all memoir. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
Leah's Long Journey with Scientology
Leah's involvement with Scientology spanned an impressive 34 years. She joined the church at the tender age of nine and remained a member until 2013, when she was 43. That's a significant chunk of her life dedicated to the religion, and her decision to leave was not made lightly. It took immense courage and conviction for Leah to walk away from something she had been a part of for so long.
Leah's New Venture: The Scientology Show
Following the release of her tell-all memoir, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, in 2015, Leah embarked on a new journey by creating a documentary television series for A&E titled Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. This Emmy-winning show offers a candid look into Leah's experiences as a Scientologist and features interviews with other former members who share their stories. The second season of the series premiered on A&E in late summer 2017, continuing to shed light on the controversial aspects of the religion.
Leah's Role in Kevin Can Wait
Yes, Leah is indeed starring in Kevin Can Wait! After making a memorable guest appearance in Season 1 of the popular CBS show, Leah was welcomed into the cast for Season 2. Fans of King of Queens were thrilled to see Leah reunite with Kevin Can Wait star Kevin James on screen. Her addition to the series, however, meant that one of the original cast members, Erinn Hayes, was let go to make room for her.
Leah's Financial Success
Leah's impressive net worth of approximately $20 million is a testament to her successful career in television. Her starring roles in shows like Living Dolls, The King of Queens, The Exes, and Kevin Can Wait have contributed significantly to her wealth. She's also had a diverse career, co-hosting The Talk, competing on Dancing With the Stars, producing the documentary series Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, and starring in the reality show Leah Remini: It’s All Relative.
Leah's Take on Plastic Surgery
While Leah has admitted to using Botox in the past, plastic surgeons have speculated that she may have undergone additional procedures, such as a nose job, cheek fillers, chin fillers, and under-eye fillers. When a fan recently accused her of having fuller lips due to plastic surgery, Leah quickly dismissed the claim on Twitter. "Actually my lips are real… Maybe it’s the Botox you don’t like? But thank you for your nasty a– tweet," she responded.
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Did Leah's Husband Cheat on Her?
Rumors about Leah's husband, Angelo Pagan, cheating on her surfaced after she referred to him as a "serial cheater" in her memoir, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology. In the book, she wrote, "I am selfish and self-centered… My husband is a serial cheater and my mother was a slut." When asked about this statement, Leah explained that she wanted to expose her family's personal issues before the Church of Scientology could use them against her. "I know the policy of the Church when someone speaks out publicly against them. I know how they deal with people like me. So they would take something out of context or in my confessions and [put] that out on the streets," she said. Additionally, during a prank on The Ellen Show, Leah was jokingly led to believe Angelo had a secret mistress. After the joke, she reassured fans on Twitter that her marriage was strong. "Regarding the Ellen show today; it was just a joke to throw the audience off to surprise them with the gifts! Me and [Angelo] are good!" she wrote.
View this post on InstagramA night out with my loves. #blessed
Leah's Daughter: Sofia Bella Pagan
Leah and Angelo, who married in July 2
