Whenever Scientology hits headlines, Tom Cruise and his ex-wife Katie Holmes are never far behind. And last week came an avalanche of the most shocking claims to date – claims that had far-reaching effects on prominent members of the Hollywood elite, such as Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman, Jada Pinkett Smith, director JJ Abrams and John Travolta. But it was Tom Cruise– regarded as number two in the religion – whose reputation took the most tarnishing, with his six-year marriage to Katie laid bare.
Former high-ranking Scientologist and one-time close friend to Tom and Katie, actress Leah Remini finally published her much-hyped, tell-all memoir, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood And Scientology. In the book – and in a series of interviews last week – Leah made a host of shocking claims about Tom’s wild temper tantrums, vindictive behaviour and bizarre antics.
Among them was the allegation that Tom, 53, and Katie’s lavish 2006 Italian wedding, at which she was a guest, was a PR stunt to promote Scientology. Leah said that following the ceremony she found herself under attack from Katie, for which she was brutally punished. She also claimed that Katie finally left Tom in 2012 to protect her daughter from Scientology.
Indeed, such was the detail in Leah’s accusations that Katie was last week forced to issue an unprecedented statement. ‘I regret having upset Leah in the past and wish her only the best in the future,’ she said. But the act of contrition may have backfired, as many believe Katie’s apology gives credibility to Leah’s revelations.
One of Leah’s claims is that, following her wedding, Katie filed a ‘Knowledge Report’ on Leah (Scientology speak for a serious black mark). This accused her of ‘setting a poor example to others’ with her ‘very upsetting behaviour’ (Leah had inquired repeatedly as to the whereabouts of Shelly, wife of Scientology leader David Miscavige, who has not been seen in public for more than a decade).
Because of this, Leah – who had been a Scientologist since the age of eight – was extensively ‘audited’ and ordered to make donations to the church, write grovelling apologies to many members, including director JJ Abrams, and send thousands of dollars’-worth of gifts to Katie. Leah said that newly-wed Katie’s only response was to text her saying, ‘Just handle it with your MAA [Master-At- Arms, a Church ethics supervisor].’
Sources close to Katie, 36, have told Grazia that she feels deeply uncomfortable about her treatment of Leah during this period, and has been keen to atone for it since leaving the church.
‘Apparently, Katie and Leah have had several very private conversations in the last few months,’ said a close source. Leah has responded to Katie’s public apology, saying in an interview on Good Morning America last week, ‘It almost makes me want to cry. It makes me emotional...’
Of Katie’s decision to sensationally divorce Tom in 2012, Leah told People magazine, ‘I went from being very angry with Katie while she was in the church because she wrote these reports... Then she leaves, and I thought, “That’s a ballsy move.” I didn’t see it coming. As a mother I respect what she did. But I think I know why she did what she did – to save her relationship with her daughter.’
Last week, the Church of Scientology International made the following statement: ‘Leah knows the truth she conveniently rewrites in her revisionist history. The real story is she desperately tried to remain a Scientologist in 2013, knowing she was on the verge of being expelled for refusing to abide by the high level of decency Scientologists are expected to maintain. Her ethical lapses and callous treatment of others led to... her being expelled.’
Grazia approached representatives for both Katie and Tom with regard to Leah’s allegations, but at the time of going to press there was no response. As we reported previously, Katie is believed to have blindsided Tom with divorce papers just days short of his 50th birthday. By A-list separation standards the whole thing – masterminded by Katie’s attorney father, Martin – took place at lightning speed. Katie was awarded sole custody of Suri and, while the terms of the financial settlement have remained private, it was reported to be just child support. It is thought that Tom has not seen his daughter for more than two years. ***
And what of Tom in the book? Where to begin? Here are some of Leah’s most shocking allegations...
Tom's Wild Temper
Explaining how Scientologists were said to be ‘terrified of offending Tom’, Leah recounts a scene she witnessed at his home. Tom was keen to make cookies for his guests, so an assistant laid the dough out on the counter, butTom didn’t see it. ‘Get in the f*****g present time,’ Leah said he raged. ‘LRH [L Ron Hubbard] is here [he raises his hand above his head to indicate hierarchy], and Dave and I are here [lowers his hand] and you are here [hand right down].’ He also once allegedly publicly berated an assistant for serving him tea in a chipped mug.
Tom's Children Disowned Nicole Kidman
Leah once asked Connor and Bella if they ever saw their mother. ‘Not if I have a choice,’ Bella, now 22, allegedly responded. ‘Our mom is a f*****g SP.’ (A Suppressed Person is an enemy of the church.)
Tom Doesn't Like John Travolta Or Kirstie Alley
‘I heard he didn’t like them,’ Leah said. The fellow Scientologists were not at Cruise’s wedding.
Brooke Shields and J-Lo Were Invited To Tom's Wedding As A PR Exercise
Leah claims she was invited to Tom’s wedding on the proviso she brought along her close friend Jennifer Lopez and her then husband, Marc Anthony, who didn’t even know Tom and Katie. She believes the church was trying to recruit them. Of Brooke Shields, Leah claims, the Scientologist actress was invited by Tom to make peace following his criticism of her taking psychiatric drugs that the church disapproves of.
Tom Wanted To Play Hide And Seek With Jada Pinkett-Smith
‘At first I thought he was joking,’ Remini wrote. ‘But no, he literally wanted to play hide-and-seek with a bunch of grown-ups in what was probably close to a 7,000-square-foot house [Tom’s home] on almost three acres of secluded land.’