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{{Short description|Church of Scientology recruiting}}
'''''{{ScientologySeries}}'''''
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Scientology sidebar}}


Recruitment and endorsements by '''Scientologist celebrities''' have always been very important to the ]. Scientology actively recruits celebrities to promote Scientology to the public at large. Written Scientology policies describe recruiting celebrities in great detail.{{fact}} Scientology has had a written program governing celebrity recruitment since at least 1955, when ] created "Project Celebrity", offering rewards to Scientologists who recruited targeted celebrities.<ref name="Courting"> {{cite news | first=Joel | last=Sappell | coauthors= Welkos, Robert W. | url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-scientology062590b,1,279442.story?coll=la-news-comment | title=The Courting of Celebrities| work=] | page=A18:5 | date=1990-06-25 | accessdate=2006-06-06 }} Additional convenience link at . </ref> A Scientology policy letter of 1976 states that "rehabilitation of celebrities who are just beyond or just approaching their prime" enables the "rapid dissemination" of Scientology.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Baker |first=Russ |year=1997 |month=April |title=Clash of Titans |journal=]|url=http://www.russbaker.com/George%20Magazine%20-%20Clash%20of%20The%20Titans/Clash%20of%20The%20Titans%20-%20George%20Magazine.htm| accessdate=2006-10-03}}</ref> The ] has recruited ] for their endorsement of ] as a ] strategy. The organization has had a written program governing celebrity recruitment since at least 1955, when ] created "'''Project Celebrity'''", offering rewards to Scientologists who recruited targeted celebrities.{{r|Courting|Shaw_telegraph}}{{r|reitman|p=254}} Early interested parties included former silent-screen star ] and jazz pianist ].{{r|Shaw_telegraph}}{{r|lewis-ch20|pp=394-5}} The Scientology organization has a particular interest in international focus on wealthy businesspeople and influencers to help promote its ideals. A Scientology policy letter of 1976 states that "rehabilitation of celebrities who are just beyond or just approaching their prime" enables the "rapid dissemination" of Scientology.{{r|lewis-ch20|pp=394–395}}{{r|baker|hcopl1976}}


== Hubbard's views on celebrities ==
Scientology policy governs the Celebrity Centre (the main one in Los Angeles and others in Paris, Nashville, and elsewhere), stating that "one of the major purposes of the Celebrity Centre and its staff is to expand the number of celebrities in Scientology." (Scientology Flag Order 2310){{fact}} Another order describes Celebrity Centre's Public Clearing Division and its goal, "broad public into Scientology from celebrity dissemination"; this division has departments for planning celebrity events and routing the general public onto Scientology services as a result of celebrity involvement.{{fact}} <ref name="Courting" /> <ref></ref>


The Church of Scientology has a long history of seeking out artists, musicians, writers and actors, and advertises that Scientology can help them in their lives and careers.{{r|tntribune}}{{r|reitman|p=253}} According to religious historian ], "L. Ron Hubbard was fascinated by Hollywood, and actively pursued "stars" by promoting the Church of Scientology among the rich and famous. That celebrities joined the Church became a powerful draw card for Scientology, in that it rendered membership desirable."{{r|lewis-ch20|p=396}} According to ], Hubbard frequently name-dropped, "claiming association and interaction especially with Hollywood figures", soon envisioning their role as helping him gain publicity and acceptance, ultimately making up a list of celebrities to target for recruitment.{{r|rinder|p=138}} It was in 1955 when Hubbard started ''Project Celebrity'' in order to recruit people he considered "opinion leaders" in the fields of art, sports, management, and government.{{r|reitman|p=253}} As Hubbard put it, "Celebrities are very Special people and have a very distinct line of dissemination. They have comm lines that others do not have and many {{Sic|medias}} to get their dissemination through".{{r|farrow|fo3323}}
As founder ] put it:
<blockquote>"Celebrities are very Special people and have a very distinct line of dissemination. They have comm lines that others do not have and many medias to get their dissemination through" (Flag Order 3323, 9 May 1973)<ref>{{cite news |first = Boyd |last = Farrow |author = |title = The A-listers' belief system |url = http://www.newstatesman.com/Arts/200508010024 |work = The New Statesman |date = ] |accessdate = 2006-08-24}}</ref></blockquote>


== Celebrity Centres ==
According to statements by former Scientologist ], celebrities are secretly being given lucrative compensation for endorsing Scientology. Their Scientology ] courses are provided free. These courses regularly cost up to $1,000 dollars per hour. According to Mr. Prince, ] alone has had in excess of $100,000 of free services in compensation.


]
Under the Church's Field Staff Member (FSM) program, celebrity Scientologists, like any public Scientologist, can earn commissions of up to 10 percent on services purchased by their "selectees", i.e. persons they introduce to Scientology.<ref>HCOPL 9 MAY 1965RA ISSUE I REVISED 8 NOV 1984 FSM SERIES I FIELD AUDITORS BECOME STAFF</ref>
Certain Churches of Scientology have been designated as ]s, particularly those in cities with a large ] that attracts artistic hopefuls, such as Hollywood, Nashville, New York City, and Paris. Celebrity Centre policies state that "one of the major purposes of the Celebrity Centre is to expand the number of celebrities in Scientology",{{r|fo2310}} with the goal of "broad public into Scientology from celebrity dissemination". Each Celebrity Centre has a division for planning celebrity events and directing general public onto Scientology services as a result of celebrity involvement.{{r|Courting|richardson}}


== Recruiting celebrities ==
The Church of Scientology also operates special ]s.


Scientology actively tries to recruit celebrities and aspiring actors in Hollywood. They have tried such tactics as standing outside the gates of ] passing out flyers offering workshops in finding an agent and how to get ahead in the film industry, advertising in magazines such as '']'', '']'' and '']'', and displaying posters of film stars saying "I am a Scientologist... come in and find out why". The approach is to promote Scientology as ].{{r|wright|pp=139-40}} {{r|reitman|p=265}}
== Tom Cruise ==


Aspiring actors would often be referred to ] for acting lessons. Katselas, a Scientologist who kept L. Ron Hubbard's photograph on his desk, ran his ] with strict Scientology principles, and the acting school was "an unofficial feeder" to Celebrity Centre in the 1990s and 2000s.{{r|reitman|pp=266-7}}{{r|breitbart|p=136}}
Since ], actor Tom Cruise has been one of the best-recognized celebrity Scientologists; in many ways a public face for the religion. In 2004 ''International Scientology News'' printed that "Every minute of every hour someone reaches for LRH technology ... simply because they know Tom Cruise is a Scientologist." <ref>{{cite news |author = Hoffman, Claire |coauthors = Christensen, Kim |url = http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-scientology18dec18,0,7000009,full.story?coll=la-home-headlines |title = Tom Cruise and Scientology |work = Los Angeles Times |date = ] |accessdate = 2006-08-15}}</ref>


Professor of religious studies ] spoke about Scientology's appeal to celebrities in an interview:
Cruise has widely advocated the Church's position against psychiatry and particularly against the use of ]s. In ], Cruise excoriated ] for both using and speaking in favor of the drug ]. Cruise also said, ''"Here is a woman, and I care about Brooke Shields because I think she is an incredibly talented woman, you look at , where has her career gone?"'' Shields responded that Cruise's statements about anti-depressants were "irresponsible" and "dangerous." Cruise later visited Shield's home and offered her what she termed "a heartfelt apology", which she accepted<ref>Access Hollywood accessed 2006-10-03 http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah1496.shtml</ref>


{{blockquote |text=But then I think the reason that celebrities would be interested is because it's a religion that fits pretty well with a celebrity kind of personality. It's very individualistic. It celebrates your individual identity as ultimately divine. It claims to give you ultimate power over your own mind, self, destiny, so I think it fits well with an actor personality. And then the wealth question: These aren't people who need more wealth, but what they do need, or often want at least, is some kind of spiritual validation for their wealth and lifestyle, and Scientology is a religion that says it's OK to be wealthy, it's OK to be famous, in fact, that's a sign of your spiritual development. So it kind of is a spiritual validation for that kind of lifestyle.{{r|chasan}} }}
On ], ], Cruise spoke to '']'' host ] on the supposed dangers of psychiatry and antidepressants during a promotional interview for his film '']'' . His intent may have backfired as late night comedians and morning radio programs frequently commented about Cruise's passionate frustration at Lauer's perceived lack of knowledge and respect for the topic's severity and mocked him as a radical celebrity.


Scientology isn't the only new religion to seek out celebrities to help promote their movement. Sociologists have posited that emulating celebrities is an important part of an individual's ], explaining the significance of a group having celebrity members.{{r|lewis-ch20|pp=396-7}} Journalistic and media sources claim that Scientology is "The Church of the Stars" or a "star-studded sect," although there are likely more Hollywood celebrities in other religious traditions. One reason for this is the Celebrity Centres, which are unique to Scientology. Most members in these facilities are not celebrities, however many of the members are part of the entertainment industry.{{r|lewis-handbook|p=23}}
More recently, Tom Cruise has confirmed that ], his ] and the mother of his first biological child, has become a Scientologist.


== Expectation to proselytize ==
== Isaac Hayes and ''South Park'' ==


Celebrities are pressured to ], and ] has been one of the most outspoken. In 2003, Cruise's publicist wanted him to tone down his proselytizing because the movie studios wanted him to "sell movies, not Scientology". After firing his publicist and hiring his sister in the role, Cruise drew public criticism for behavior such as jumping on ]'s couch in 2005 and targeting ] for taking certain medications.{{r|rinder|p=193}} It backfired, and since 2008 Cruise has not spoken about Scientology and has forbidden interviewers from asking him about Scientology.{{r|forbid}}
In November 2005, the television show '']'' satirized the Church of Scientology and its celebrity followers, including Cruise and ], in an episode called "]". In the episode, Stan, one of the show's four mischievous fourth graders, is hailed as the reincarnation of ], while a cartoon Cruise locks himself in a closet and won't come out.


Scientology routinely gets their celebrity members to hold seminars and workshops for their peers, pointing out how Scientology had helped them achieve success in the industry, which was used to recruit new members for Scientology.{{r|wright|p=198}}
The episode also mocks the beliefs taught to upper level Scientologists. It portrays the story of Xenu and the creation of the Thetans by the hydrogen bombs from ], and other aspects of the religion, while the words "This Is What Scientologists Actually Believe" appear at the bottom of the screen.


{{Quote frame |width=75% |align=center |text=Celebrity members are constantly being pressed to add their names to petitions, being showcased at workshops and galas, or having their photos posted over the logo "I'm a Scientologist." Their fame greatly magnifies the influence of the church. They are deployed to advance the social agendas of the organization, including attacks on psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry, and the promotion of Hubbard's contested theories of education and drug rehabilitation. They become tied to Scientology's banner, which makes it more difficult to break away if they should become disillusioned. |author=Lawrence Wright in '']'' {{r|wright|p=xi}} }}
On ], 2006 (L. Ron Hubbard's birthday, a major holiday for Scientologists<ref>http://www.scientology.org/wis/wiseng/39/39-idx.htm</ref>), a press release announced that ], a Scientologist, would be quitting his role on ''South Park'' due to "intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others." Dubbed 'Closetgate' by the ], the controversy continued as ], the channel that broadcasts ''South Park]'' in the ], pulled the "Trapped in the Closet" episode at the last minute from a scheduled repeat on ], ]. It was alleged that ] threatened ] with withdrawal from promotion of his latest film '']'' if the episode was broadcast. ] owns both Paramount and Comedy Central. Though Paramount and Cruise's representatives deny any threats, ] reports that "no one believes a word of it."<ref name="Usborne">{{cite news |first = David |last = Usborne |title = South Park declares war on Tom Cruise |url = http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article352197.ece |work = ] |date = ] |accessdate = 2006-10-03}} ''(payment now required for online access)''</ref>


== Special treatment ==
South Park creators ] and ] claimed to be "servants of ]" and declared that the "million-year war for Earth" had only just begun. Stone also told the ] that he and Parker "never heard a peep out of Isaac in any way until we did Scientology. He wants a different standard for religions other than his own, and to me, that is where intolerance and bigotry begin."<ref> Associated Press
NEW YORK, Mar. 13, 2006 (retrieved 04/12/06)</ref> The ] reported that, "For Stone and Parker, 'Closetgate' will be the gift that keeps on giving." Using lines cut together from previous recordings, Hayes' character, Chef, was then portrayed in his ] as having been brain-washed into becoming a child-molesting cultist by a group called the "Super Adventure Club". <ref>http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-channel18mar18,0,2690713.story</ref><ref name="Usborne" />


Their most promising, or highest profile, celebrities would get special treatment from ] members, and might be assigned their own pandering sidekick to attend to them. Any mess-up and the Sea Org member would be punished, sometimes quite harshly.{{r|wright|pp=150,282-3}}
==Lisa Marie Presley==

Some former Scientologists suggest that Scientology helped arrange the marriage of ] to ], in order to recruit Jackson into Scientology. Presley had previously been married to Scientologist ], but they divorced on ], ], just twelve days before Presley married Jackson. The Church of Scientology International issued a statement wishing the new couple "the very best for a joyful future."<ref>{{cite news | first=Richard N. | last=Leiby | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/06/AR2005070600992_pf.html | title=Harmonic Conversion? | work=Washington Post |publisher= | page=C1 | date=] | accessdate=2006-06-12 }}</ref>
== Notable celebrity members ==
{{Further information|List of Scientologists}}

=== Members ===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* ], actress (deceased)<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/kirstie-alley-addresses-scientology-drama-with-leah-remini-2015121|title=Kirstie Alley: "I'm Not Some F---ing Fake" Scientologist|newspaper=Us Weekly|access-date=2016-11-11}}</ref>
* ], actress<ref>{{cite news|last=McGrath|first=Nick|title=Anne Archer: My family values|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jul/11/anne-archer-my-family-values-scientology|access-date=August 10, 2015|work=]|date=July 11, 2014}}</ref>
* ], actress<ref>{{cite journal | title = Bell Hop | journal = NYLA Magazine | date = Spring 2005 | first = Mayar | last = Zokaei| access-date = August 10, 2015 |url=http://www.nylamagazine.com/art4.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106014721/http://www.nylamagazine.com/art4.html |archive-date=January 6, 2009}}</ref>
* ], actress<ref>{{cite news |title=Ay caramba! Bart Simpson is spruiking Scientology |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article5609115.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509082155/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article5609115.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 9, 2009 |last=Sweeney |first=Claire |date=January 29, 2009 |access-date=August 10, 2015 |work=] |location=London}}{{registration required}}</ref>
* ], musician (deceased)<ref name=losangelestimes>{{cite news|last=Heckman|first=Don|title=Playing in His Key|date=August 18, 2001|work=]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-18-ca-35464-story.html|access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref>
* ], actress<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/17/erika-christensen-defends-scientology_n_2496701.html|title=Erika Christensen Defends Scientology: We Don't Worship Rabbits|work=]|date=January 17, 2013|access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref>
* ], actor<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1791617.stm|title = Cruise lobbies over Scientology|date = January 30, 2002}}</ref><ref name="business" />
* ], actor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/moonlight/scientology-saved-moonlight-st-17371.aspx |title=Scientology Saved 'Moonlight' Star's Acting Career |publisher=] |date=March 7, 2008 |access-date=June 28, 2015 }}</ref>
* ], actress<ref name="business" />
* ], music industry<ref name= "business" />
* ], singer/songwriter (deceased)<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/isaac-hayes-history-with-scientology/| title=Isaac Hayes' History With Scientology| publisher= ] | first=Roger |last=Friedman| date= August 11, 2008|access-date= April 22, 2015}}</ref>
* ], film industry<ref>{{cite news| first = Nicole | last = LaPorte | title = Stanley Kubrick's Lost Daughter | url = http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/08/26/stanley-kubricks-scientologist-daughter-vivian.html | work =]| date = August 26, 2010 }}</ref>
* ], actress<ref>{{cite journal|first=Julie |last=Miller |date=July 29, 2015 |title=Walking Dead Star's Father Accuses Scientology of "Brainwashing" Her in Damning New Interview |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/07/scientology-walking-dead |journal=] |access-date=March 24, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814160615/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/07/scientology-walking-dead |archive-date=August 14, 2015 }}</ref>
* ], actor
* ], actor<ref name= "business"/>
* ], actress<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.salon.com/2015/04/07/scientology_and_elisabeth_moss_what_the_mad_men_star_isnt_talking_about_in_interviews/| title=Scientology and Elisabeth Moss: What the "Mad Men" star isn't talking about in interviews| first=Anna|last=Silman| work= ] | date=April 7, 2015|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref>
* ], actor<ref>{{Cite web|last=Leigh|first=Danny|date=October 6, 2016|title=Michael Peña: 'Scientology made me a better actor'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/oct/06/michael-pena-war-on-everyone-scientology-interview|url-status=live|website=]|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008114345/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/oct/06/michael-pena-war-on-everyone-scientology-interview}}</ref>
* ], actor<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nowtoronto.com/movies/features/giovanni-ribisi/|title=Giovanni Ribisi|newspaper=]|date=April 12, 2007|access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref>
* ], actor<ref name="business">{{cite web|title=19 famous Church of Scientology members|last=Weisman|first=Aly|date=27 October 2015|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/celebrities-scientology-2015-3|website=]|access-date=May 28, 2016}}</ref>
* ], news anchor<ref name= "business" />
{{div col end}}

=== Former members ===
The following celebrities have announced at some point that they were no longer members of the Church of Scientology or no longer practiced Scientology.
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*], musician/singer/songwriter<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beck Reveals 'I'm Not a Scientologist' in New Interview |date=November 22, 2019 |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |work=RollingStone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beck-no-scientologist-917058/}}</ref>
* ], actor<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0815,celebrity%20denounces%20scientology,411801,2.html/full |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420044729/http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0815%2Ccelebrity%20denounces%20scientology%2C411801%2C2.html/full |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 20, 2008 |title=Scientology's First Celebrity Defector Reveals Church Secrets: 'I was Miscavige's favorite boy,' says veteran TV actor Jason Beghe |work=] |date=April 8, 2008 |last=Ortega |first=Tony |author-link=Tony Ortega}}</ref>
* ], actress<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tom-cruises-secret-scientology-girlfriend-nazanin-boniadi-2015-3|title=The crazy story of how Scientology allegedly once groomed a girlfriend for Tom Cruise — and then tore them apart |date=April 1, 2015 |first=Aly |last=Weisman |publisher=] |access-date=February 11, 2024}}</ref>
* ] writer (deceased)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.beatdom.com/?p=1373 |first=David S. |last=Wills |title=The Weird Cult: William S. Burroughs and Scientology |work=Beatdom |date=March 4, 2012}}</ref>
* ], filmmaking<ref name="wright-apostate">{{cite magazine |last=Wright |first=Lawrence |author-link=Lawrence Wright |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/02/14/the-apostate-lawrence-wright |title=The Apostate : Paul Haggis vs. the Church of Scientology |magazine=] |date=February 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506223914/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/02/14/the-apostate-lawrence-wright |archive-date=May 6, 2015}}</ref>
* ], actress<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/celebrity-scientologists-ex-scientologists/ |title=Celebrity Scientologists and ex-Scientologists |first=Elisha |last=Fieldstadt |newspaper=CBSNews.com | date=January 6, 2017 |access-date=April 28, 2022}}</ref>
* ], actress<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.who.com.au/nicole-kidman-truth-connor-cruise-bella-cruise-adopted-kids |title=Nicole Kidman finally breaks silence on Connor and Bella Cruise |magazine=] |first=Jenny |last=Cooney |date=8 November 2018 |archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105191633/https://www.who.com.au/nicole-kidman-truth-connor-cruise-bella-cruise-adopted-kids|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nicole Kidman on Sex Scenes, Scientology and Saying No to Studios |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/nicole-kidman-sex-scenes-scientology-412752/ |first=Merle |last=Ginsberg |date=January 16, 2013 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Scientology's Seduction of Tom Cruise, Role in Nicole Kidman Split Detailed |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-scientology-seduced-tom-cruise-409686/ |first=Lawrence |last=Wright |date=January 9, 2013 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |quote=Cruise and wife Nicole Kidman drifted away from the Church ... Miscavige — Scientology's de facto head since Hubbard's death — blamed the actor's wife, Nicole Kidman, and viewed her as a gold digger who was faking Scientology. ... reported to a large conference room and right away noticed Kidman, who was also receiving auditing.}}</ref>
* ], actor<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.etonline.com/news/198500_jason_lee_reveals_he_left_the_church_of_scientology/|title=Jason Lee Reveals He Left the Church of Scientology|last=Bueno|first=Antoinette|date=September 20, 2016|website=Entertainment Tonight}}</ref>
* ], actress<ref name="Ryz21">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/27/arts/television/yellowjackets-juliette-lewis.html|title=Juliette Lewis, an 'Imagination Freak Fairy,' Knows Her Worth|first=Melena|last=Ryzik|newspaper=] |date=December 27, 2021|access-date=January 15, 2022 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115200631/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/27/arts/television/yellowjackets-juliette-lewis.html |archive-date=January 15, 2022}}</ref>
*], film industry<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/slap-chop-pitchman-vince-shlomi-alleges-scientologists-ripped-him-off-for-millions/ | title=Slap Chop Pitchman Vince Shlomi Alleges Scientologists Ripped Him off for Millions - CBS News | website=] | date=March 31, 2009 }}</ref>
* ], actress<ref>{{cite web|title=Laura Prepon on Motherhood, Sharing Her Truth and Her Decision to Leave Scientology |url=https://people.com/tv/laura-prepon-on-motherhood-and-leaving-scientology/|work=People|first=Liz|last=McNeil|date=August 17, 2021}}</ref>
* ], singer/songwriter (deceased)<ref>{{cite web |last=Green |first=Nicole Glennon and Alex |date=January 13, 2023 |title=Lisa Marie Presley: Scientology, trips to Tipperary and a fondness for Murphys |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/people/arid-41047499.html |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=Irish Examiner |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113135819/https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/people/arid-41047499.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ], actress<ref>]</ref>
* ], actress<ref>{{Cite web| title = Tom Cruise and Mimi Rogers: Marriage Impossible| work = EW.com| access-date = 2023-11-08| url = https://ew.com/article/2001/05/11/tom-cruise-and-mimi-rogers-marriage-impossible/ |quote=What's more, Rogers today claims she is no longer a practicing Scientologist.}}</ref>
* ], actor<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parkel |first1=Inga |title=John Stamos claims he was 'kicked out' of Scientology for being 'too annoying' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/john-stamos-scientology-matt-friend-podcast-b2604522.html |access-date=31 August 2024 |work=] |date=30 August 2024}}</ref>
* ], actor<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/jeffrey-tambor-reflects-scientology-transgender-issues-his-new-memoir-1004101/ |title=Jeffrey Tambor Reflects on Scientology, Transgender Issues in His New Memoir |date=May 16, 2017 |first=Christina |last=Schoellkopf |publisher=] |access-date=June 18, 2023}}</ref>
* ], writer (deceased)<ref>{{cite web |first=Alan |last=Prendergast |title=Nightmare on the Net |url=http://www.westword.com/1997-03-06/news/nightmare-on-the-net/full |work=] |publisher=] |date=1997-03-06 |archive-date=March 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321093457/http://www.westword.com/1997-03-06/news/nightmare-on-the-net/full |url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{div col end}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<references />

<ref name="baker">{{cite journal |last=Baker |first=Russ |date=April 1997 |title=Clash of Titans |journal=]}}</ref>

<ref name="breitbart">{{Cite book |title=Hollywood, Interrupted : Insanity Chic in Babylon--The Case Against Celebrity |first1=Andrew |last1=Breitbart |author1-link=Andrew Breitbart |first2=Mark |last2=Ebner |author2-link=Mark Ebner |year=2004 |ol=3325539M |isbn=0471450510 |publisher=Wiley}}</ref>

<ref name="chasan">{{Cite web|url=http://www.beliefnet.com/story/169/story_16925_1.html |title=Mind over Matter |first=Alice |last=Chasan |website=]}}</ref>

<ref name="Courting">{{cite news | first=Joel | last=Sappell |author2=Welkos, Robert W. |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-scientology062590b-story.html | title=The Courting of Celebrities| work=] | page=A18:5 | date=June 25, 1990 | access-date=2006-06-06}}</ref>

<ref name="farrow">{{cite news |first=Boyd |last=Farrow |title=The A-listers' belief system |url=http://www.newstatesman.co.uk/200508010024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070814015759/http://www.newstatesman.co.uk/200508010024 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 14, 2007 |work=The New Statesman |date=August 1, 2006 |access-date=2006-08-24}}</ref>

<ref name="fo2310">{{Cite document |type=] |first=L. Ron |last=Hubbard |title=FO 2310 |publisher=Church of Scientology}}</ref>

<ref name="fo3323">{{Cite document |type=] |first=L. Ron |last=Hubbard |title=FO 3323 |publisher=Church of Scientology |date=9 May 1973}}</ref>

<ref name="forbid">{{multiref2 |1={{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/news/cruise-under-control-actor-says-i-learned-lesson-wbna28162646 |title=Cruise under control: Actor says 'I learned a lesson' |date=December 15, 2008 |first=Mike |last=Celizic |publisher=] |access-date=May 12, 2023 |quote=Three years ago, he openly discussed his membership in the religion with Lauer. But in recent interviews, he's said he prefers not to discuss it and has directed questioners to the religion's Web site. |archive-date=February 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207011613/https://www.today.com/news/cruise-under-control-actor-says-i-learned-lesson-wbna28162646 |url-status=live }} |2={{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/23178527/tom-cruise-top-gun-maverick-movie-star-smile-scientology |title=The hollowness of Tom Cruise |date=July 28, 2022 |first=Constance |last=Grady |publisher=Vox |quote=He heavily restricts the questions journalists are allowed to ask him before he agrees to an interview, and both his religion and his family life tend to be off-limits. |access-date=May 13, 2023 |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831015039/https://www.vox.com/culture/23178527/tom-cruise-top-gun-maverick-movie-star-smile-scientology |url-status=live }} |3={{cite web |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/07/30/to-become-a-superstar-again-tom-cruise-downplayed-scientology-as-his-driving-force-report-says/ |title=To be a superstar again, Tom Cruise downplayed Scientology as his 'driving force,' report says |date=July 30, 2022 |first=Martha |last=Ross |publisher=The Mercury News |access-date=May 13, 2023 |quote=He rarely gives interviews and only talks to journalists if they agree not to ask him questions about his religion and family, Vox said. |archive-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831015037/https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/07/30/to-become-a-superstar-again-tom-cruise-downplayed-scientology-as-his-driving-force-report-says/ |url-status=live }} }}</ref>

<ref name="hcopl1976">{{cite web|title=HCO Policy Letter 23 May 1976R: Celebrities|author=L. Ron Hubbard|author-link=L. Ron Hubbard|publisher=]|work=Scientology Celebrities & Human Rights|url=http://scientologycelebrity.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/scientology-definition-of-celebrity/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130714223516/http://scientologycelebrity.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/scientology-definition-of-celebrity/|archive-date=July 14, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

<ref name="lewis-ch20">{{cite book |title=Scientology |title-link=Scientology (Lewis book) |year=2009 |editor-first=James R. |editor-last=Lewis |editor-link=James R. Lewis (scholar) |isbn=9780199852321 |ol=16943235M |publisher=] |chapter=Celebrity, the Popular Media, and Scientology: Making Familiar the Unfamiliar |pages=389–410 |first=Carole M. |last=Cusack |author-link=Carole M. Cusack |doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195331493.003.0021}}</ref>

<ref name="lewis-handbook">{{Cite book |title=Handbook of Scientology |editor-first=James R. |editor-last=Lewis |editor-link=James R. Lewis (scholar) |series=Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion |volume=14 |year=2017 |publisher=Brill |isbn=9789004330542}}</ref>

<ref name="reitman">{{cite book |last=Reitman |first=Janet |author-link=Janet Reitman |title=Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion |title-link=Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion |date=2011 |isbn=9780618883028 |ol=24881847M |publisher=] }}</ref>

<ref name="richardson">{{Cite magazine |last=Richardson |first=John H. |date=September 1993 |title=Catcha Rising Star |magazine=]}}</ref>

<ref name="rinder">{{cite book |title=A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology |first=Mike |last=Rinder |author-link=Mike Rinder |year=2022 |publisher=] |isbn=9781982185763}}</ref>

<ref name="Shaw_telegraph">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3671262/What-do-Tom-Cruise-and-John-Travolta-know-about-Scientology-that-we-dont.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3671262/What-do-Tom-Cruise-and-John-Travolta-know-about-Scientology-that-we-dont.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=What do Tom Cruise and John Travolta know about Scientology that we don't?|last=Shaw|first=William|date=February 14, 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=2009-06-25}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

<ref name="tntribune">{{Cite news |title=Artists Find Inspiration, Education at Church of Scientology & Celebrity Centre Nashville |work=] |date=January 20, 2011 |page=14A |via=The Misplaced Pages Library}}</ref>

<ref name="wright">{{cite book |last=Wright |first=Lawrence |author-link=Lawrence Wright |title=Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood and the Prison of Belief |publisher=] |year=2013 |isbn=9780307700667 |ol=25424776M |title-link=Going Clear (book)}}</ref>


}}
==See also==
*]


{{Scientology}}
==External links==
*
*
*
*


] {{DEFAULTSORT:Celebrities}}
]
]

Latest revision as of 06:32, 16 December 2024

Church of Scientology recruiting

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The Church of Scientology has recruited celebrities for their endorsement of Scientology as a public relations strategy. The organization has had a written program governing celebrity recruitment since at least 1955, when L. Ron Hubbard created "Project Celebrity", offering rewards to Scientologists who recruited targeted celebrities. Early interested parties included former silent-screen star Gloria Swanson and jazz pianist Dave Brubeck. The Scientology organization has a particular interest in international focus on wealthy businesspeople and influencers to help promote its ideals. A Scientology policy letter of 1976 states that "rehabilitation of celebrities who are just beyond or just approaching their prime" enables the "rapid dissemination" of Scientology.

Hubbard's views on celebrities

The Church of Scientology has a long history of seeking out artists, musicians, writers and actors, and advertises that Scientology can help them in their lives and careers. According to religious historian Carole M. Cusack, "L. Ron Hubbard was fascinated by Hollywood, and actively pursued "stars" by promoting the Church of Scientology among the rich and famous. That celebrities joined the Church became a powerful draw card for Scientology, in that it rendered membership desirable." According to Mike Rinder, Hubbard frequently name-dropped, "claiming association and interaction especially with Hollywood figures", soon envisioning their role as helping him gain publicity and acceptance, ultimately making up a list of celebrities to target for recruitment. It was in 1955 when Hubbard started Project Celebrity in order to recruit people he considered "opinion leaders" in the fields of art, sports, management, and government. As Hubbard put it, "Celebrities are very Special people and have a very distinct line of dissemination. They have comm lines that others do not have and many medias [sic] to get their dissemination through".

Celebrity Centres

Celebrity Centre International in Hollywood

Certain Churches of Scientology have been designated as Celebrity Centres, particularly those in cities with a large entertainment industry that attracts artistic hopefuls, such as Hollywood, Nashville, New York City, and Paris. Celebrity Centre policies state that "one of the major purposes of the Celebrity Centre is to expand the number of celebrities in Scientology", with the goal of "broad public into Scientology from celebrity dissemination". Each Celebrity Centre has a division for planning celebrity events and directing general public onto Scientology services as a result of celebrity involvement.

Recruiting celebrities

Scientology actively tries to recruit celebrities and aspiring actors in Hollywood. They have tried such tactics as standing outside the gates of Central Casting passing out flyers offering workshops in finding an agent and how to get ahead in the film industry, advertising in magazines such as Variety, Backstage and The Hollywood Reporter, and displaying posters of film stars saying "I am a Scientologist... come in and find out why". The approach is to promote Scientology as professional development.

Aspiring actors would often be referred to Milton Katselas for acting lessons. Katselas, a Scientologist who kept L. Ron Hubbard's photograph on his desk, ran his Beverly Hills Playhouse with strict Scientology principles, and the acting school was "an unofficial feeder" to Celebrity Centre in the 1990s and 2000s.

Professor of religious studies Hugh Urban spoke about Scientology's appeal to celebrities in an interview:

But then I think the reason that celebrities would be interested is because it's a religion that fits pretty well with a celebrity kind of personality. It's very individualistic. It celebrates your individual identity as ultimately divine. It claims to give you ultimate power over your own mind, self, destiny, so I think it fits well with an actor personality. And then the wealth question: These aren't people who need more wealth, but what they do need, or often want at least, is some kind of spiritual validation for their wealth and lifestyle, and Scientology is a religion that says it's OK to be wealthy, it's OK to be famous, in fact, that's a sign of your spiritual development. So it kind of is a spiritual validation for that kind of lifestyle.

Scientology isn't the only new religion to seek out celebrities to help promote their movement. Sociologists have posited that emulating celebrities is an important part of an individual's identity formation, explaining the significance of a group having celebrity members. Journalistic and media sources claim that Scientology is "The Church of the Stars" or a "star-studded sect," although there are likely more Hollywood celebrities in other religious traditions. One reason for this is the Celebrity Centres, which are unique to Scientology. Most members in these facilities are not celebrities, however many of the members are part of the entertainment industry.

Expectation to proselytize

Celebrities are pressured to proselytize, and Tom Cruise has been one of the most outspoken. In 2003, Cruise's publicist wanted him to tone down his proselytizing because the movie studios wanted him to "sell movies, not Scientology". After firing his publicist and hiring his sister in the role, Cruise drew public criticism for behavior such as jumping on Oprah Winfrey's couch in 2005 and targeting Brooke Shields for taking certain medications. It backfired, and since 2008 Cruise has not spoken about Scientology and has forbidden interviewers from asking him about Scientology.

Scientology routinely gets their celebrity members to hold seminars and workshops for their peers, pointing out how Scientology had helped them achieve success in the industry, which was used to recruit new members for Scientology.

Celebrity members are constantly being pressed to add their names to petitions, being showcased at workshops and galas, or having their photos posted over the logo "I'm a Scientologist." Their fame greatly magnifies the influence of the church. They are deployed to advance the social agendas of the organization, including attacks on psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry, and the promotion of Hubbard's contested theories of education and drug rehabilitation. They become tied to Scientology's banner, which makes it more difficult to break away if they should become disillusioned.
— Lawrence Wright in Going Clear

Special treatment

Their most promising, or highest profile, celebrities would get special treatment from Sea Org members, and might be assigned their own pandering sidekick to attend to them. Any mess-up and the Sea Org member would be punished, sometimes quite harshly.

Notable celebrity members

Further information: List of Scientologists

Members

Former members

The following celebrities have announced at some point that they were no longer members of the Church of Scientology or no longer practiced Scientology.

References

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  2. ^ Shaw, William (February 14, 2008). "What do Tom Cruise and John Travolta know about Scientology that we don't?". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
  3. ^ Reitman, Janet (2011). Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 9780618883028. OL 24881847M.
  4. ^ Cusack, Carole M. (2009). "Celebrity, the Popular Media, and Scientology: Making Familiar the Unfamiliar". In Lewis, James R. (ed.). Scientology. Oxford University Press. pp. 389–410. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195331493.003.0021. ISBN 9780199852321. OL 16943235M.
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  8. ^ Rinder, Mike (2022). A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9781982185763.
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