Kelly Preston: Scientology Helped Me Overcome Son Jett's Death
Two years ago, Kelly Preston was struggling to make sense of the sudden death of her 16-year-old son Jett, who lost his life due to a seizure in January 2009.
The actress, now 48, credits her religion for getting her through the toughest period of her life. "To be honest, [it was] the Scientology Center," Preston tells Health magazine's September issue. "I don't know if I would have made it through without it."
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(Preston and her husband, John Travolta, have been Scientologists for more than two decades.)
The experience taught Preston a valuable lesson. "Don't sweat the small things. Love your kids like it could be the last moment."
After a painful two years, the family (including daughter Ella Bleu, 11) finally received some happy news when baby Benjamin Hunter Kaleo was born in November 2010.
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"We [had been trying] for quite a few years," Preston tells Health. "When I found out I was pregnant, I was floored. I'd snuck out of bed and then came back and woke Johnny up in bed. We both started crying. It was wonderful."
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Motherhood, Preston says, is the single most important role she's ever tackled. "I've always wanted to be a mother, ever since I was 11. I was doing commercials for thousands of dollars, but I'd still babysit for $3 an hour just because I loved it."
Tell Us What You Think
29Have you ever been into a Scientology church? Read a Scientology book? How can you judge something you probably don't know. Last time I checked freedom to your own religious beliefs was a Human Right.
Scientology is a cult. And not a religion. They helped her? Yea sure. She is as lost as lost can be and so is John. Only God can help her, and John and they are clueless as to who he is.
Benjamin was a gift. So many women lose a child and never find their way back to reality. Good for her for finding a way to get through it.
Way to judge Christians and Catholics by saying that all they want is money. I'm sure all of you stupid tards know what you're talking about right?
@Gina Smith, I looked up Kyle Brennan and if what I read was accurate, Scientology did not kill him. He was an adult and he killed himself. If fault lies with anyone else, it's Kyle's father, who chose to follow the advice of anyone other than a physician. I think Scientology is a bunch of hooey, but to place blame for the actions of grown adults is unfair.
@Isabel. Scientology didn't work very well for Jett Travolta though, did it? I'll support anyone's right to believe we're all infested by the souls of dead space aliens (as Scientology doctrine states) but you need to wake up and realise what abuses the Church of Scientology carries out.
shut the *** up Bella!
So she naturally got pregnant at 48? They're lucky the child wasn't born with down syndrome or any other major issue. It's really not safe to have a child when you're that age. I am not trying to be a hater, but the risk of having a child with down syndrome and other abnormalities increases as you age.
It is awful that they're still shilling for the cult, even though their son was autistic. I really thought this would wake them up from their brainwashed fog, but I guess not. To those who say that Scientology does't hurt anyone - please google and learn more about this "religion".. as Shannon wrote - celebrities are usually clueless because they're coddled so much that they don't realize what the lower levels sea orgs go through. This "religion" is EXTREMELY dangerous.. People defending it - need to read up before spouting off. If you've read a tiny fraction of the information on this cult - you wouldn't be making those absurd statements. I feel sorry for John, Kelly, Kirstie Alley, etc.. they're so sucked in they can't see straight.. Tom Cruise is an arrogant jack azz
It's working for them. Who are any of YOU to knock this beautiful family? I grew up Catholic. Talk about a cult!! All they want is your money.
I don't believe in churches of any sort and hate the christian and catholic religion too many wolves in sheep's clothing. I believe what i experience in life.
This baby boy looks just like kelly, so ego john
Oops, I meant Scientology IS no religion. Ugh I hate typos.
Scientology has harmed a lot of people. Just do a google search. The celebrities are coddled because they make the group look good, but many regular people are parted with their money, abused and brainwashed. Look up survivors of the awful Sea Org abuses. Scientology in NO religion. You shouldn't have to hand over your life savings to receive a real religion's inspiration.
No, Kelly, your cult is what caused your son's death. How did it feel to just stand by and watch your son suffer through a seizure while you did nothing about it? My son has epilepsy and I could never just sit back and let him go through it. You're disgusting and shouldn;t be allowed to even have more babies.
I wonder if Kelly has any sympathy for the mother of Kyle Brennan? She lost her son as well because of Scientology - just Google the name for details. Kelly's also a big supporter of Scientology front group, Citizen's Commission on Human Rights. The International head of the group is about to go on trial in Australia for coaching an 11-year-old girl to lie to police about sexual abuse she suffered from her Scientologist step-father.
I'll take this "crazy cult" over whatever the heck crazy cult Michele Bachmann and all the weirdos who can't except gay people. As far as I know, Scientology hasn't hurt anyone.
i'm w. karla. i don't know much about scientology and don't see it appealing to me, but i'm thoroughly thrilled that the travolta family was able to draw comfort and strength from their religion during such a horrible time. can't even imagine their heartbreak. very happy to see them making it thru intact and good to see their joy.
Sorry, but Scientology is not a religion, it's a cult! I feel bad that they lost their son, as that was very tragic. They now have Ben, who's a beautiful little boy, and Kelly looks amazing! I couldn't imagine losing one of my children. I admire their strength and courage moving forward! @Samantha Evan-Kelly is not old. She's younger than me. If they are obviously still capable of having children, more power to them!
what a handsome little fella!