Remini in a scene from “The King of Queens.” (CBS)
“King of Queens” star Leah Remini threatened to call police, sources said, after “her many unanswered questions” about the whereabouts of Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige’s wife, Shelly, which led to the actress being interrogated for years.
Page Six reported yesterday that Remini is making a dramatic break from the church after she began to also question practices including forcing its followers to “disconnect” from family members branded as “suppressive persons” [SPs] and the treatment of its Sea Org members.
“When you ask a question, like, ‘Where is Shelly?,’ you are immediately hauled in, interrogated and asked, ‘Why are you asking, who are you connected to, are you going on the Internet?’ ” said a source.
The source added that in such sessions, “[You are then] shown pictures of the buildings that the church built, told that the ‘SPs’ are trying to get you because the church is winning, and that when you go on all these ‘SP’ sites, you are literally cutting across man’s ability to go free. You are, in fact, killing mankind.”
The source continued, “Because Leah threatened to call the police to find Shelly, she was put through ‘Security Checking,’ her family was put through it, and her friends.”
Scientology blogger Tony Ortega wrote earlier this week: “Shelly has not been seen [in public] since 2006, except for one sighting when she was allowed to attend the funeral of her father… Remini dared to ask about it — and loudly.”
A source told Page Six that as a result of her questions, the former co-host of CBS’ “The Talk,” “was put through ‘thought modification’ for five years,” but, “When they tried this with her again earlier this year, she said, ‘Enough.’ ”
Remini released a statement last night, saying: “I wish to share my sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the overwhelming positive response I have received from the media, my colleagues, and fans from around the world. I am truly grateful and thankful for all your support.”
A Scientology rep had denied all allegations in our previous story, and did not immediately return a request for comment.
Jenna Miscavige, the niece of the Scientology leader David Miscavige, told MailOnline that Remini’s exit is “definitely not good PR” for the organization, since “PR for the most part is all they care about.”
Jenna, who is a outspoken critic of Scientology and famously left in 2005, applauds Remini for leaving. “I’m really happy for Leah. I think it took a lot of courage on her part to do this so publically.”
Jenna said she has met Remini once before. She explained, “It’s fantastic that she got out – but to me, the best part is that she has a young daughter and it’s great she won’t have to be brought up in the church. Scientology definitely does use families in order to get people to do what they want them to do, they know people care and love for their families.”
“So if they have to use the threat of possibly losing them in order to get them to tow the line they’ll do it.”
When asked how her uncle’s handling Remini’s departure, Jenna replied, “I’m guessing not very well!”