Former King of Queens star Leah Remini made headlines earlier this month for leaving Scientology after being one of the controversial religion’s highest profile members. For the first time since that news broke, Remini is speaking out.
People caught up with Remini at a DesignCare event in Malibu Saturday. She said that while she’s leavign the Church, she still has strong support from family and friends.
“We stand united, my family and I, and I think that says a lot about who we are, and what we're about,” the former The Talk co-host told People.
“I believe that people should be able to question things,” she continued. “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.”
Questioning things is exactly what reportedly got her in trouble with the Scientology hierarchy, including leader David Miscavige. According to a New York Post report, Remini disagreed with the Sea Org order and there were claims from bloggers that she had long been at the center of drama within the religion.
The Church of Scientology offered no further statement, saying, “The Church respects the privacy of parishioners and has no further comment.”
After the Post report was published, Remini thanked fans for their support.
image: ABC