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Leah Remini Talks Scientology on DWTS: “The Church Is Looking for Me to Fail”

Leah Remini on Dancing With the Stars
Leah Remini on Dancing With the Stars claims that the Church of Scientology is "looking for [her] to fail," but told Us Weekly backstage that the show is "a godsend"

Leah Remini feels she has a lot to prove on Dancing With the Stars. During some of the rehearsal footage from Monday night's episode, the King of Queens alum spoke with partner Tony Dovolani about why she was struggling to learn the samba — and why it was so important to her to get it right.

Related: PHOTOS: Celeb Scientologists

"I'm going through a personal and big change for me and my family," the actress explained, referring to her recent split from Scientology. "The church is looking for me to fail so they can say to their parishioners, 'See what happens when you leave the church?' They're waiting for me to fail."

Related: PHOTOS: Behind the scenes at DWTS

The Church of Scientology, for its part, gave a comment to Good Morning America on Tuesday, Sept. 24, saying: "We know this may come as a surprise to someone as self-absorbed as Ms. Remini, but we could care less if she wins or loses on Dancing With the Stars."

Related: PHOTOS: Before they were on DWTS

In any case, DWTS has proven to be a good creative outlet for the actress. "It's been a godsend," she told Us Weekly backstage on Monday, Sept. 23. "The love and support that I've received from Tony, from the cast, from the crew, from friends I didn't know I had? It offsets some of that [negative energy]."

Related: PHOTOS: Amazing DWTS body makeovers

Remini added that she feels stronger every day. "I'm going through the pain of losing friends of 30 years, but like I said, the show's been a godsend," she gushed. "I wake up, I'm happy, I have real friends, I have real love, I have real support, I have my family."

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