Entertainment

Leah Remini Takes Action Against Scientology

by Kate Ward

UPDATE: The Church of Scientology has released the following statement in response to Remini's missing person's filing on David Miscavige's wife, Shelly: "This ill-advised, ludicrous self-promotion and the media inquiries it generated caused an inexcusable distraction for the LAPD in an era when the time and resources of its officers are stretched thin each day. Creating this unnecessary burden for law enforcement was even more irresponsible given the entire episode was nothing more than a publicity stunt for Ms. Remini, cooked up with unemployed, anti-religious zealots who blog on the fringe of the Internet. Sadly, rather than move on with her life and career, Ms. Remini has aligned herself with a handful of untrustworthy, lunatic tabloid sources who obsessively harass the Church to advance their selfish agendas."

EARLIER: Only a woman born in Brooklyn could be this bold. Though most former Scientologists like Katie Holmes have chosen to stay silent about their years in the church, Leah Remini appears to be declaring war against the religion that has been accused of being a cult.

One month after Remini quit Scientology following an argument with the head of the church, David Miscavige, the King of Queens actress has reportedly filed a missing person's report with the Los Angeles Police Department, inquiring into the whereabouts of the leader's wife, Shelly.

And Shelly might have been the catalyst to Remini leaving the church — reportedly, the actress' problems with Miscavige began when she asked about the leader's wife at Tom Cruise and Holmes' 2006 wedding.

Shelly's disappearance is widely known, but seemingly not discussed within Scientology's circle. She hasn't been seen in public since one year after Cruise and Holmes' nuptials, in 2007. And, based on her words to People two weeks ago, Remini plans on being steadfast in her war against the church. "I believe that people should be able to question things," Remini said. "I believe that people should value family, and value friendships, and hold those things sacrosanct. That for me, that's what I'm about. It wouldn't matter what it was, simply because no one is going to tell me how I need to think, no one is going to tell me who I can, and cannot, talk to."

Former Scientologists like Paul Haggis have spoken out publicly against the church, but none have taken action quite like Remini.