Leah Remini's still talking about Scientology! The actress sat down with former church member Paul Haggis on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in New York City to discuss her new book, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology.
The pair spoke about their time in the religion, their decision to leave, and the backlash they've suffered since, with Haggis revealing Remini was the only person he knew who did not disconnect with him when he left Scientology.
"You did not have to do that. We were not close friends," the director, 62, told Remini, 45, expressing his gratitude at her kindness.
Haggis also revealed that there have been many celebrities who have left the church who have kept the fact that they were members entirely secret. While refusing to give names, the director explained the stars were advised against talking about their religions by the Hollywood machines.
"'Walk away. Don't say anything. It will hurt your career,'" he said of the advice given by most Hollywood agents.
Later in the talk, Remini revealed she feels great sadness about some of the people she left behind in the church who she is no longer connected to.
Choking back tears, she said she is "going to have godchildren and family I won't ever see," adding it hurt her so much that they didn't stand by her.
She also claimed that yoga was banned during her time in the religion. "[I was told] it would mix the practices of the religion," she revealed to the audience.
After the Q&A session, Remini signed books for fans and spent time talking to each one. "She was being really being accommodating and taking time with people," one audience member at Barnes & Noble told Us.
Since the release of Remini’s book, and her just-as-revealing 20/20 interview, the Church of Scientology has vehemently denied Remini’s claims and slammed the actress as “a shallow, spoiled individual with a sense of entitlement” who “needs to move on with her life.” (Click here to read the church’s full statement.)
