Howard Stern and Leah Remini Clear Up Scientology Myths

Leah Remini’s split with Scientology has been anything but quiet. The former sitcom star — and current reality TV star — has been forthcoming about her beefs with the controversial religious organization, which counts famous Hollywood adherents like Tom Cruise and John Travolta among its most visible practitioners. Remini is now busy promoting a book full of reveals about Scientology and Hollywood — and sometimes both at once, for in Remini’s world the two were intricately linked.

Remini’s book — Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology — has given her a big platform including interviews with ABC’s 20/20, mostly for the Scientology part. But Howard Stern and his giant SiriusXM radio platform have more time to explore the nuances. As goes the religion, Remini told Stern she paid Scientology hundreds of thousands of dollars, but that she doesn’t regret it. And that Scientology requires you be there “two and a half hours a day.” She said many people “have been hurt” by Scientology, with families separated. Remini also cleared up another point about Scientology — she told Stern that people are allowed to leave the religion no problem, it’s speaking out against it that gets you in trouble. But Remini was smart enough to use Stern’s show wisely — she reminded people that the book isn’t all about Scientology. It’s about Hollywood and success and stardom. Stern agreed. He knows what sells.