Leah Remini- Church of Scientology is 'Looking for Me to Fail' on 'DWTS'
Leah Remini has been busy competing on "Dancing With the Stars" but took time out to speak about her decision to leave the Church of Scientology, saying they want her to fail in the competition. The Church issued its own response denying Remini's latest claims.
The Church of Scientology issued a statement to "Good Morning America."
"We know this may come as a surprise to someone as self-absorbed as Ms. Remini, but we could care less if she wins or loses on 'Dancing With the Stars,'" the statement read.
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Remini, however, says they want her to fail.
"The church is looking for me to fail so they can say to their parishioners, 'Look what happens when you leave,'" Remini told partner Tony Dovolani in a segment filmed for the show. "They're waiting for me to fail." She then called her decision to leave "a big change for me and my family … you're used to taking a lot of negativity on yourself."
Remini made headlines when she, along with her family, left the prominent church. She has since given interviews in which she claims that the church's leader, David Miscavige, is not leading the organization properly and that members are either being taken advantage of or possibly abused.
"I believe that people should be able to question things," she told People magazine. "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."
She has promised to "not shut up" about her experiences inside the somewhat secretive organization but will continue to help others who may want to leave and remain a very public figure. Right now she is on "Dancing With the Stars" but Remini also has plans to write her memoir, which will include her association with the church.
Dovolani assured Remini, and the public that "although there might be some people out there waiting for her to fail, I'm here to make sure she doesn't."
