Celebs you didn't know were scientologists
Here are some of the famous faces who have been vocal about being associated with the Church of Scientology
When you think of celebrity Scientologists, one man in particular pops into most people's minds - Tom Cruise.
But there are actually quite a few famous faces who have dabbled in the controversial religion, with many still being believers to this day.
Others have reportedly given it a go but ultimately decided it probably wasn't for them.
For those unfamiliar, Scientology was founded in the 1950s and is is based on the beliefs of American author L Ron Hubbard.
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According to US Weekly, the religion also operates Celebrity Centres, which are special churches that are open to members of the public but mostly cater to 'artists, politicians, leaders of industry, sports figures and anyone with the power and vision to create a better world'.
In the 1950s, founder Hubbard also reportedly created what became known as 'Project Celebrity' - a program offering rewards to Scientologists who bring in some of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Here are some of the celebrities still believed to be Scientologists:
Elisabeth Moss
Actress Elisabeth Moss is a household name thanks to her roles in shows like Mad Men and The Handmaid’s Tale.
But a lot of people won't know she's also a Scientologist as she's largely kept this aspect of her life out of the spotlight.
According to Yahoo! Entertainment, the actress has openly been part of the Church of Scientology since she was just a teenager, and a few years ago she opened up about it during an interview with The New Yorker.
She was born into the religion as her parents had followed it before she was born.
Moss told The New Yorker: "I don’t want to come off as being cagey. If you and I met, just hanging out as friends, I’m, like, an open book about it.
"I don’t want people to be distracted by something when they’re watching me. I want them to be seeing the character. I feel like, when actors reveal too much of their lives, I’m sometimes watching something and I’m going, Oh, I know that she just broke up with that person, or, I know that she loves to do hot yoga, or whatever it is."
She continued: "People can obviously hold in their mind whatever they want to, and I can’t control that. If it’s not that, it’s going to be something else.
"It’s not really a closed-off religion. It’s a place that is very open to, like, welcoming in somebody who wants to learn more about it. I think that’s the thing that is probably the most misunderstood.”
Nancy Cartwright
The Simpsons voice actor Nancy Cartwright has also been vocal about her involvement in the Church of Scientology.
The 68-year-old, who is best known for voicing none other than Bart Simpson, was reportedly awarded the status of Patron Excalibur With Honours back in 2023 for her cumulative donations of over $20m to the church, reports The Independent.
She allegedly called the honour 'the most beautiful acknowledgement I have ever received in my entire life'.
The publication reports that she converted to Scientology in 1991.
John Travolta
Grease icon John Travolta reportedly joined the Church of Scientology in 1975 and, as per The Independent, was quoted on the church's website as saying: “I would say Scientology put me into the big time.”
As reported by Page Six, he said in April: "I’ve been brought through storms that were insurmountable, and [Scientology has] been so beautiful for me, that I can’t even imagine attacking it.
"I’ve helped so many people through hard times. Loss of children, loved ones, physical illnesses. Through many tough, tough life situations, I’ve used the technology to support them and help them. It always worked.”
He has defended the church on numerous occasions, most notably against the HBO documentary Going Clear, which alleged coercion, abuses and potentially illegal practices within the organisation
Rebecca Minkoff
Fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff said in a 2021 profile in The New York Times that she's 'totally open' about her religion, 'but it’s not my job to proselytize'.
She told the publication: "I think there’s a lot of confusion when people hear the word ‘religion’ - immediately you hear that I pray to L. Ron Hubbard. I study it, I take classes and that’s the extent of it, and it’s helped me stay centred. "I don’t have all the answers. When I needed someone, it was a place for me to go get some answers."
She added that there is 'horrific misinformation' out there about Scientology.
Giovanni Ribisi
Actor Giovanni Ribisi was raised a Scientologist alongside his sister, Marissa.
As reported by US Weekly, the Friends actor participated in the gala opening of Scientology's Psychiatry: An Industry of Death museum twenty years ago in December 2005.
He also said in a 2016 interview that he has 'been a Scientologist all my life'.
As per Buzzfeed, he told the Jim and Sam Show: "It's a personal thing; it's something that works for me, and I think it's that simple."
Michael Peña
Finally, actor Michael Peña has been associated with the Church of Scientology and reportedly joined in 2000.
He told The Guardian in 2019 that the lifestyle change was sparked by concern over his drinking.
The Crash star said at the time: “I wasn’t an alcoholic, but I was doing it too much. And then there was the next thing, and the next thing. For me, it isn’t religion like a belief; it’s practical things you do.”
He also said that a Scientology programme, Study Tech, made him a more confident reading, telling the publication: “Which made me a better actor because I felt like it helped my understanding of scripts.”
Celebs who have left scientology
As mentioned, though, here are also a number of celebrities who have dabbled in Scientology but aren't involved today.
For example, both Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes reportedly briefly practiced the religion when they were married to Tom Cruise, before both of them leaving following divorce.
Meanwhile, Juliette Lewis was born into the church as her parents were members. She defended it for years, but in a 2021 interview with The New York Times, Lewis revealed that she now identifies as a 'spiritualist'.
And American actress Leah Remini became an outspoken critic of Scientology after being part of the religion for years, and published a bestselling memoir, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, in 2015.
In 2016, she went on to front a documentary series called Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, where she delved deep into some of the shocking stories of those who have left.
Topics: Celebrity, Entertainment, Life, True Life
Madison Burgess