Have you ever wondered why so many Hollywood celebrities have joined the Church of Scientology? Well, according to Business Insider, the Church’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard, launched a project to recruit celebrities to promote his church and religion.
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Over the years, several world-renowned celebrities have joined the religion and, after being criticised, have defended their beliefs. Indeed, Scientology is often a point of discussion and has been heavily criticised. Moreover, as with many religions, some celebrities have left the Church.
Keep reading to learn more about how Scientology came to be and why it has such a celebrity following, as well as who has been—and is currently—a member.
What is Scientology?
As mentioned above, the Church of Scientology was founded by L. Ron Hubbard in 1954. According to Scientology.org, it is a religion that 'offers a precise path' to understanding one’s self.
Scientology is a religion that offers a precise path leading to a complete and certain understanding of one’s true spiritual nature and one’s relationship to self, family, groups, mankind, all life forms, the material universe, the spiritual universe and the Supreme Being.
The main basis of Scientology is that it is a ‘self-help’ religion. It focuses on spiritual growth and personal development. The main goal for those who join is 'freedom for all', per the religion’s website:
The ultimate goal of Scientology is true spiritual enlightenment and freedom for all.
Those who are members of the religion are known as thetans. To be a thetan, one must have a mind and occupy a body. They believe a thetan is immortal and has lived several lifetimes. Believers divide life into eight dynamics:
- The Self Dynamic – the impulse to survive as an individual
- The Sex Dynamic – the impulse towards sexual activity as well as the desire to create and maintain the family unit
- The Group Dynamic – the impulse for the survival of groups, communities, or organisations to which one belongs
- The Mankind Dynamic – the impulse towards the survival and improvement of all mankind
- The Animal Dynamic – the impulse towards the survival of the animal kingdom and all living things, including plants, animals, and the environment
- The Universe Dynamic – the impulse towards the survival of the physical universe. Scientologists believe the physical universe is composed of Matter, Energy, Space and Time, which they call MEST
- The Spiritual Dynamic – the impulse towards improving one’s spiritual existence
- The Infinite or God Dynamic – the impulse to connect with and understand infinity. This is also defined as the Supreme Being. This is the eighth dynamic because the symbol of infinity, when stood upright, resembles the number 8
Now that we understand a bit more about what Scientology is, let’s have a look at some of the biggest celebrities who follow this religion, which many outsiders— including former members like Leah Remini—refer to as a cult (more on that later).
A-list celebrities who follow Scientology
Tom Cruise
Let’s start with one of the most well-known thetans in Hollywood: Tom Cruise. According to SheKnows, Tom Cruise was first introduced to Scientology through his first wife, Mimi Rogers, in 1986.
However, following their divorce, Rogers left the religion. She explained she hadn’t converted but was brought up in it through her father’s friendship with the founder.
Soon after joining, Cruise became one of the Church’s most prominent figures. Like many celebrities who follow Scientology, he doesn’t speak on the matter much publicly; however, in 2016, in a rare comment to the Daily Beast, he revealed he ‘wouldn’t be where he is’ now without the religion:
I’ve been a Scientologist for over 30 years. It’s something that is, you know… without it, I wouldn’t be where I am. So, it’s a beautiful religion. I’m incredibly proud.
John Travolta
Another major actor who follows Scientology is John Travolta. The actor was originally raised as a Roman Catholic but allegedly converted to Scientology in 1975.
Travolta is also very private about his religion, but in 2016, following the documentary by former member Leah Remini, he defended his beliefs:
It’s been nothing but helpful to me for 40 years—through all my losses of my mother, my girlfriend, my son. They never left my side, so why would I want to buy into something that’s not what I feel?
However, it is believed he has distanced himself from the Church following his wife’s battle with breast cancer. According to SheKnows, Hubbard was adamantly against chemotherapy. Indeed, Travolta was absent from a 2023 Scientology gala hosted by Tom Cruise.
Other notable celebrities who follow Scientology include Handmaid’s Tale actress Elisabeth Moss, who defended the religion after a fan compared it to the book and series she stars in; Riverdale star Marisol Nichols; and Linkin Park lead vocalist Emily Armstrong.
A-list celebrities who left Scientology
Leah Remini
As mentioned previously, Leah Remini has been vocal about her departure from Scientology. As reported by Business Insider, she explained that her mother brought her into the religion when she was nine.
She eventually left in 2013 and released a documentary, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, exposing the realities of the religion, which she deems a ‘cult’.
Remini has made several allegations against the Church and has an ongoing court case, in which she claims the Church 'stalked, surveilled, harassed, threatened, [and] intimidated' her for over a decade. The Church of Scientology has denied these allegations.
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt allegedly joined the Church of Scientology for three years, from 1989 to 1993, after his then-girlfriend, Juliette Lewis, introduced him.
According to a former Scientologist, Pitt studied the religion at the Portland Scientology Centre to avoid public attention. Per the unnamed source, the actor underwent rigorous training but left the religion after breaking up with Lewis.
Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes
As previously mentioned, Tom Cruise’s first wife, Mimi Rogers, left the religion after their divorce. The same happened with Cruise’s other two wives, Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes.
Kidman and Cruise were married from 1990 to 2001. According to rumours, Scientology was a reason for their divorce. Kidman briefly practised but was not an active member. Since their split, her and Cruise’s children remain members.
For Katie Holmes, it appears to have been a similar case. Cruise and Holmes were married from 2006 to 2012.
Holmes filed for divorce, with reports suggesting she didn’t want her daughter to be raised as a Scientologist. According to Business Insider, Cruise has little to no contact with his daughter.
Read more:
Brad Pitt has a long dating history: Here’s all the women he’s had a relationship with
Nicole Kidman shares devastating news of her mother’s death: ‘My heart is broken'
Tom Cruise, Monica Belluci, Eva Longoria: 30+ celebrities that haven't aged a day
Sources used:
Business Insider: ‘10 celebrities who have reportedly left Scientology’
SheKnows: ‘28 Celebrities Who Left the Church of Scientology (& Why)’
SheKnows: ‘23 Celebrities Who Are Members of the Church of Scientology’
Christianity.com: ‘What Should Christians Know about Scientology? Background and Beliefs’
Scientology.org: ‘What is Scientology?’
