Leah Remini

Remini was born on June 15, 1970,{{Sfn|Richmond|1999|p=131}} in Brooklyn, New York City, to Vicki Marshall and George Remini,{{Cite web|url=https://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/obituary/george-remini?lud=48B9F07F6B35E49BA592294FB47034B8&fh_id=12192|title=Obituary for George A. Remini at Flynn and Son Funeral Home|website=www.meaningfulfunerals.net}} who owned an asbestos removal company.{{cite web|title=Leah Remini profile |publisher=Film Reference|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/47/Leah-Remini.html|access-date=June 15, 2009}} Her mother is of Austrian Jewish descent, while her father has Italian ancestry, rooted in Sicily.{{cite news |last=Brady |first=James |title=Leah Remini (TV and film actress) |newspaper= Parade |date=October 26, 2003 |url=http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2003/edition_10-26-2003/in_step_with_0 |access-date=June 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323000030/http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2003/edition_10-26-2003/in_step_with_0 |archive-date=March 23, 2010}}{{cite news|last=Sieberg|first=Daniel|title=Leah Remini:Working hard as a queen among kings|publisher=CNN |date=April 20, 2001|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/CAREER/jobenvy/04/20/leah |access-date=September 12, 2013}}{{Sfn|Remini|Paley|2015|p=4}} Remini was raised in Bensonhurst.{{cite news |last1=Silberstein |first1=Rachel |title=Actress Leah Remini Shares PS 200 6th Grade Photo |url=https://bklyner.com/actress-leah-remini-posts-6th-grade-ps-200-class-photo-bensonhurst/ |access-date=March 10, 2019 |publisher=Bklyner |date=November 5, 2015}}

Remini was baptized into the Catholic Church as an infant{{Cite web |last=Thomasos |first=Christine |date=September 9, 2015 |title=Leah Remini's Daughter Baptized as a Catholic 2 Years After Leaving Scientology |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/leah-reminis-daughter-baptized-as-catholic-for-more-spiritual-existence-2-years-after-leaving-scientology.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313151823/https://www.christianpost.com/news/leah-reminis-daughter-baptized-as-catholic-for-more-spiritual-existence-2-years-after-leaving-scientology.html |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |website=The Christian Post}} and raised in the faith during her early childhood.{{cite episode|people=Remini, Leah, and Rogan, Joe|series=The Joe Rogan Experience|title=Leah Remini|date=January 30, 2017|access-date=February 27, 2017|number=908 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ0-VeWMr-A}} When she was 8, her mother joined the Church of Scientology, and Remini was thereafter raised as a Scientologist.McNeil, Elizabeth (July 29, 2013). [http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20721538,00.html "The King of Queens Star Leah Remini: Leaving Scientology"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001003904/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20721538,00.html |date=October 1, 2015 }}. People, Vol. 80 No. 5. At 13, Remini and her sister were taken to join Scientology's Paramilitary organization called the Sea Organization, where they were forced to sign billion-year contracts and work for their room and board.

Remini's mother decided to take her children out of the Sea Org and return to civilian Scientology life within the same year. Remini moved to Los Angeles, with her mother and sisters, where she spent the remainder of her teenage years working to pay off their debt to Scientology for all of their auditing received. In addition, Remini and her family worked regular jobs to pay for continuing Scientology courses and services.

One of Remini's early television roles was on Who's the Boss? as Charlie Briscoe, which led to a spin-off series entitled Living Dolls, in which Remini starred with Halle Berry. The show premiered in late 1989 and ran for twelve episodes.[http://www.screenrush.co.uk/features/television/feature-18440035/?page=7 "Throwing a Curveball: Surprising Spin-Offs"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325071522/http://www.screenrush.co.uk/features/television/feature-18440035/?page=7 |date=March 25, 2012 }}. Screenrush; retrieved October 28, 2013.[http://www.accesshollywood.com/halle-berrys-journey-from-miss-usa-runner-up-to-oscar-winner_article_49368 "Halle Berry's Journey From Miss USA Runner-Up To Oscar Winner"], Access Hollywood, June 16, 2011. In 1991, Remini had a supporting role as Tina Bovasso on ABC's sitcom The Man in the Family. She then had recurring roles on Saved by the Bell playing Stacey Carosi, and on Evening Shade as Taylor Newton's (Jay R. Ferguson) girlfriend, Daisy. Remini then appeared in two more short-lived series, First Time Out (1995) and Fired Up (1997–98).

In 1991 and 1993, she appeared on Cheers as Serafina, the daughter of Carla and Nick Tortelli (Rhea Perlman and Dan Hedaya). In 1994, Remini auditioned for the role of Monica Geller on Friends, but the role went to Courteney Cox. Remini later appeared in the 1995 Friends episode "The One with the Birth" in which she played a pregnant woman, Lydia, whose delivery is aided by Joey Tribbiani. In 1998, Remini landed the role of Carrie Heffernan on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens. The series was successful, and ran for nine seasons from September 21, 1998, to May 14, 2007. During her time on the show, she starred in Quaker State's television commercials in 2000 and 2001.{{Cite web |title=Leah Remini in a Quaker State Oil Commercial from 2000 – YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P95JqhbmpyI |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=www.youtube.com| date=April 7, 2009 }}{{Cite web |title=Quaker State featuring Leah Rimini {{!}} Television Commercial {{!}} 2001 – YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvD8FMeQxnQ |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=www.youtube.com| date=January 6, 2018 }}

Remini had a supporting role in the comedy film Old School (2003). She also starred in her own reality show, Inside Out: Leah Remini, which was a documentary that aired on VH1 about Remini's wedding. Following the success of the wedding special, VH1 documented the next phase of their lives with the birth of her daughter Sofia Bella. Remini has starred in nine-episode webisodes of In the Motherhood, along with Chelsea Handler and Jenny McCarthy, and made two guest appearances on Handler's talk show Chelsea Lately. On December 15, 2009, Remini appeared as Heffernan on Lopez Tonight with George Lopez in an episode reuniting the cast of the George Lopez sitcom.{{cite web|url=http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/03/25/in-the-mother-1|title='In the Motherhood': Thanks, but no thanks, for your ideas, mommies!|last=Lynette|first=Rice|date=March 25, 2009|publisher=ew.com|access-date=July 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926214232/http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/03/25/in-the-mother-1/|archive-date=September 26, 2009}} Remini and Holly Robinson Peete appeared on The Young and the Restless on July 28, 2011.SoapOperaDigest. Comings & Goings; page 12. August 2, 2011 issue.

In October 2011, Remini signed a talent development deal at ABC and ABC Studios that required the network and the studio to develop a comedy project for Remini to star in and produce.{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie |date=October 21, 2011 |url=https://deadline.com/2011/10/leah-remini-signs-talent-deal-with-abc-185183/|title=Leah Remini Signs Talent Deal With ABC|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 21, 2012}}{{cite news|title="Family Tools" cancelled|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/10/family-tools-cancelled_n_3203304.html|work=Huffington Post|access-date=May 21, 2013 |first=Leigh|last=Weingus|date=May 10, 2013}} Remini competed on season 17 of Dancing with the Stars, in which she was partnered with professional dancer Tony Dovolani.Derschowitz, Jessica (September 4, 2013). [https://web.archive.org/web/20130905050847/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57601254/dancing-with-the-stars-leah-remini-valerie-harper-snooki-among-new-cast/ "Dancing with the Stars': Leah Remini, Valerie Harper"]. CBS News. The couple made it to the tenth week of competition and reached fifth place. Remini later returned in season 19 as a guest co-host on week six. She returned as guest co-host on season 21 during weeks six and seven. In 2013, Remini joined the cast of the TV Land comedy The Exes, filling a recurring role starting in season 3.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a533391/dancing-with-the-stars-leah-remini-joins-the-exes.html|title='Dancing with the Stars' Leah Remini joins 'The Exes'|work=Digital Spy|access-date=November 22, 2013}} Remini created, produced and starred in a reality television series titled Leah Remini: It's All Relative. The show focuses on Remini's family life and it premiered on TLC on July 10, 2014.Rice, Lynette (June 12, 2014). [http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/06/12/tlc-leah-remini-reality-show/ "TLC to air Leah Remini reality show"], Entertainment Weekly; accessed March 30, 2015.

In early 2017, Remini returned to acting and was announced as one of the leads in NBC's sitcom What About Barb?, a gender-swapped version of the 1991 Frank Oz comedy What About Bob?. She portrayed Suzanne, a renowned psychotherapist and best-selling author.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/what-about-barb-1202000862/|title=NBC's 'What About Barb?' Pilot Casts Leah Remini, Jessica Gunning as Leads|first=Oriana|last=Schwindt|date=March 2, 2017}} Ultimately, NBC passed on the project and it wasn't picked up to series.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/nbc-pilots-2017-dead-spaced-out-what-about-barb-relatively-happy-warren-leight-1202087939/|title=NBC Narrows Down Pilot Field With Several Projects Not Going Forward|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=May 9, 2017|access-date=May 14, 2017}} In March 2017, it was announced Remini would reunite with Kevin James on the season finale of Kevin Can Wait.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/leah-remini-reunite-kevin-james-kevin-can-wait-season-finale-guest-star-1202051007/|title=Leah Remini To Reunite With Kevin James In 'Kevin Can Wait' Season Finale|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=March 24, 2017|access-date=March 25, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/leah-remini-kevin-james-kevin-can-wait-season-finale-1202015553/|title=Leah Remini to Reunite With Kevin James in 'Kevin Can Wait' Season Finale|website=Variety |first=Joe|last=Otterson|date=March 24, 2017|access-date=March 25, 2017}} In June 2017, it was announced Remini was upped to a series regular beginning with season 2.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/leah-remini-cast-kevin-can-wait-cbs-series-regular-season-2-the-king-of-queens-reunion-kevin-james-1202106798/|title=Leah Remini Joins CBS' 'Kevin Can Wait' As Series Regular For Season 2|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=June 2, 2017|access-date=June 2, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/kevin-can-wait-season-2-leah-remini-1202452704/|title=Leah Remini Joins 'Kevin Can Wait' Season 2 as Series Regular|website=Variety|first=Joe|last=Otterson|date=June 2, 2017|access-date=June 2, 2017}} In May 2018, the series was cancelled by the network after two seasons.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2018/05/12/kevin-can-wait-cancelled-season-3-cbs/|title=Kevin Can Wait Cancelled at CBS After Polarizing Season 2 Shake-Up|first=Ryan|last=Schwartz|date=May 12, 2018}} In 2017, Remini co-starred in the comedy films Mad Families, The Clapper, and Handsome. In 2018, she starred as Joan, opposite Jennifer Lopez, in the romantic comedy film Second Act.{{Cite magazine |date=December 21, 2018 |first=Joey |last=Nolfi |title=Jennifer Lopez slapped Leah Remini so hard she cried on 'Second Act' set: 'This is our relationship!' |url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/12/21/leah-remini-second-act-interview/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Amy |date=2018-12-20 |title=From Scientology to 'Second Act,' BFFs Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini stick together |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-jennifer-lopez-leah-remini-second-act-20181220-story.html |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=Los Angeles Times}} In June 2022, Remini was named a judge on the seventeenth season of Fox's dance competition series So You Think You Can Dance, replacing Matthew Morrison.{{cite web |last1=Iannucci |first1=Rebecca |title=SYTYCD: Leah Remini to Replace Fired Matthew Morrison as Season 17 Judge |url=https://tvline.com/2022/06/10/sytycd-leah-remini-judge-replacing-matthew-morrison-controversy/ |website=TVLine |access-date=June 10, 2022 |date=June 10, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Remini |first=Leah |date=June 10, 2022 |title=Twitter status update by Leah Remini |url=https://twitter.com/leahremini/status/1535330328285368323 |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Twitter |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Mion |first=Landon |date=2022-06-11 |title=Leah Remini replaces Matthew Morrison as 'So You Think You Can Dance' judge |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/leah-remini-replaces-matthew-morrison-so-you-think-you-can-dance-judge |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}} Remini began 2021 as the host of the Game Show Network original series People Puzzler.{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/people-puzzler-leah-remini-crossword-puzzle-show-renewed-season-2-game-show-network-1234768021/ | title='People Puzzler': Leah Remini Crossword Puzzle Show Renewed for Season 2 at Game Show Network | date=June 2, 2021 }}

Remini was a co-host in the first season of the CBS daytime talk show, The Talk, which premiered October 18, 2010. The other co-hosts were Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Holly Robinson Peete, and Sharon Osbourne. The show, similar to The View, seeks to address motherhood and contemporary issues.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/455932-CBS_The_Talk_to_Premiere_Oct_18.php |title=CBS' The Talk to Premiere Oct. 18 |first=Andrea|last=Domanick|date=August 11, 2010|magazine=Broadcasting and Cable}} In March 2012, a heavily publicized Twitter dispute ignited between Remini and [https://www.thethings.com/heres-why-fans-believe-sharon-osbourne-fired-the-talk-co-host-marie-osmond/ Osbourne] when Remini fired back at Osbourne, Osbourne making criticisms of Remini and Peete on The Howard Stern Show in relation to their contracts not being renewed for The Talk. In response to questions from her Twitter followers, Remini tweeted:

{{blockquote|Ask Sharon. She had us fired ... Sharon thought me and Holly were too 'Ghetto'. (her words) we were not funny, awkward and didn't know ourselves.{{cite web|author=Barnert, Deanna |url=http://social.entertainment.msn.com/tv/blogs/tv-buzz-blogpost.aspx?post=7e6d83f1-b4fe-43d7-8268-0a4d83a76391 |title='The Talk' Twitter Battle: Osbourne vs. Remini |publisher=MSN Entertainment |date=March 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319060908/http://social.entertainment.msn.com/tv/blogs/tv-buzz-blogpost.aspx?post=7e6d83f1-b4fe-43d7-8268-0a4d83a76391 |archive-date=March 19, 2012 }}{{cite news| url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/14/the-talk-leah-remini-ghetto_n_1344659.html |work=Huffington Post| first=Chris|last=Harnick |title='The Talk': Leah Remini Says Sharon Osbourne Had Her Fired For Being 'Ghetto' |date=March 14, 2012}} Haters Gon' Hate. True. But, Haters have the balls to say they 'Hate' ... not call themselves your friend. She had us fired all the while calling me and Holly her friend. Heartbreaking. Yes. She had us fired she told Howard Stern. Explains why she never called us back.}}

In response, Osbourne tweeted, "I had absolutely nothing to do with her departure from the show and have no idea why she continues to take to Twitter to spread this false gossip."{{cite news|author=Day, Patrick Kevin |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2012/03/leah-remini-fired-the-talk-sharon-osbourne.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|title=Leah Remini fired from 'The Talk': Sharon Osbourne's fault, she says|date=March 14, 2012}} Remini tweeted a challenge to Osbourne to establish in a court of law what statements Remini had made that were untrue.

Friction in relation to these matters resurfaced in the media in early 2021 when Osbourne was embroiled in a scandal over her remarks made on The Talk to Sheryl Underwood and ultimately terminated from the program over them. Both Peete and Remini took to social media to reproach Osbourne over her conduct in relation to the scandal, pointing out that they had been treated similarly by her, charging Osbourne with additional discriminatory behaviors as well. Osbourne responded with threats of defamation lawsuits against Peete and Remini, but ultimately did nothing.{{cite web |last=Del Rosario|first=Alexandra|title=Sharon Osbourne Responds After Holly Robinson Peete Claims Her Former 'The Talk' Co-Host Said She Was "Too Ghetto" For CBS Show – Update|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/holly-robinson-peete-sharon-osbourne-the-talk-too-ghetto-1234713441/|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=July 25, 2021|date=March 13, 2021}}{{cite web |last=Murphy|first=Desiree|title=Leah Remini Claims Sharon Osbourne Used Racist and Homophobic Language Towards 'The Talk' Co-Hosts|url=https://www.etonline.com/leah-remini-claims-sharon-osbourne-used-racist-and-homophobic-language-towards-the-talk-co-hosts|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=July 25, 2021|date=March 16, 2021}}

Remini developed a series for A&E focusing on ex-Scientologists speaking about their experiences, entitled Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. The show premiered November 29, 2016.{{cite web|last1=Ungerman|first1=Alex|title=Exclusive: Watch Leah Remini Take on Scientology |url=http://www.etonline.com/tv/201767_leah_remini_scientology_docuries_trailer_exclusive/|website=Entertainment Today|date=November 2016 |access-date=November 3, 2016}} In a statement released by the network, Remini said:

{{blockquote|text=For too long, this multi-billion-dollar organization bullied victims and journalists to prevent the truth from being told. It is my hope that we shed light on information that makes the world aware of what is really going on and encourages others to speak up so the abuses can be ended forever.{{cite magazine|last1=Miller|first1=Julie|title=Watch Leah Remini|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/11/leah-remini-scientology-series|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=November 2, 2016|publisher=Condé Nast|access-date=3 November 2016}}}}

The documentary series received many awards in its three seasons: two Emmys, Reality Television Awards 2017 for hosting, 2018 NATPE Unscripted Breakthrough Awards for Best Innovation, 2019 Truth to Power Award, CHILD USA 2019 Barbara Blaine Trailblazer Award, and two Gracie Awards presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (for On-Air Talent – Lifestyle and Entertainment and for Non-Fiction Entertainment).

Remini released her memoir, entitled Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, on November 3, 2015.{{Cite web|title = Leah Remini Speaks Exclusively to ABC News About Her Experience with the Church of Scientology|url = https://abcnews.go.com/Press_Release/leah-remini-speaks-exclusively-abc-news-experience-church/story?id=34009807|publisher = ABC News|date = September 24, 2015|access-date = October 1, 2015}} The book received favorable reviews, and became a bestseller shortly after its release, reaching the number one spot on The New York Times Best Seller list.{{Cite news |last=Cowles |first=Gregory |date=2015-11-13 |title=Inside the List |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/books/review/inside-the-list.html |access-date=2024-08-30 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Remini was a member of the Church of Scientology from the age of 9.[https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/leah-remini-subpoenaed-testify-harassment-suit-church-scientology/story?id=20467553 "Leah Remini Subpoenaed to Testify in Harassment Suit Against Church of Scientology"], ABC News, October 4, 2013. In July 2013, Remini left Scientology,Eggenberger, Nicole (September 10, 2013). [http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/leah-remini-tells-ellen-degeneres-she-lost-friends-after-leaving-scientology-2013109 "Leah Remini Tells Ellen DeGeneres She 'Lost Friends"'After Leaving Scientology"]. US Weekly. owing to policies that forbid members from questioning the management of Church leader David Miscavige, which she believed was corrupt; the reported abuse of members of its Sea Org religious order; its policy of "disconnection"; and its practice of branding those who have left the Church of their own accord as "suppressive persons" and the fair gaming tactics that Scientology has used for decades.

According to former high-ranking Sea Org member Mike Rinder, Remini's problems with Scientology began when she asked about the whereabouts of Miscavige's wife Shelly at the 2006 wedding of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, and was told by then-spokesman Tommy Davis that she did not "have the fucking rank" to do so. Remini then filed a "knowledge report" in which she asserted that Miscavige, Cruise, and other senior Scientology members engaged in behavior that was inconsistent with Church rules. She was subsequently "subjected to years of 'interrogations' and 'thought modification'" that led to her being blackballed within Scientology. Fellow parishioners with whom Remini had been friends for decades wrote internal reports about her, resulting in a Church investigation into her family.{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Cindy |title=Leah Remini quits Church of Scientology|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/07/11/leah-remini-quits-church-of-scientology/2509647|newspaper=USA Today|date=July 11, 2013}}Goodman, Jessica. [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/11/leah-remini-scientology_n_3579261.html "Leah Remini Quits Scientology After 'Years Of Interrogations'"], The Huffington Post, July 11, 2013; accessed March 30, 2015.Killoran, Ellen (July 11, 2013). [http://www.ibtimes.com/leah-remini-scientology-split-huge-threat-controversial-church-1342787 "Leah Remini Scientology Split 'A Huge Threat' To Controversial Church"]. International Business Times.

During a September 9, 2013, appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Remini discussed her departure from Scientology and the loss of friends who are still in the Church who, according to Remini, are not permitted to have contact with her. Following her departure from Scientology, she publicly expressed her appreciation for those who supported her departure.Carlson, Erin (July 11, 2013). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/leah-remini-leaves-scientology-questioning-583860 "Leah Remini Leaves Scientology After Questioning David Miscavige's Leadership"]. The Hollywood Reporter.Marcesca, Rachel (July 12, 2013). [http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/leah-remini-speaks-leaving-church-scientology-article-1.1397116 "Leah Remini speaks out after leaving the Church of Scientology, thanks fans for support"]. Daily News (New York). Remini's sister Nicole, who had earlier left Scientology,Lindstrom, Colleen (July 17, 2013). [http://www.mytalk1071.com/gossip/?var=Nicole_speaks_Part_2_Scientology_and_the_Reminis071713 "Scientology and the Remini Family: How it began"], mytalk1071.com; accessed March 30, 2015. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806123743/http://www.mytalk1071.com/gossip/?var=Nicole_speaks_Part_2_Scientology_and_the_Reminis071713 |date=August 6, 2013 }} revealed that the rest of their family left the Church along with Remini to avoid being split up by the disconnection policy.Traynor, Bradley (July 17, 2013). [http://www.mytalk1071.com/gossip/?var=EXCLUSIVE071713 "EXCLUSIVE: Leah Remini's Sister Nicole Talks!"], mytalk1071.com; accessed March 30, 2015. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717161227/http://www.mytalk1071.com/gossip/?var=EXCLUSIVE071713 |date=July 17, 2013 }}[https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/leah-remini-scientology-kings-queens-actress-rebuked-miscaviges-19697521 "New Details on Why Leah Remini Left Scientology"], abcnews.go.com, July 18, 2013. Writer and director Paul Haggis, who had previously been the most famous person to publicly disavow Scientology, wrote an open letter, published by The Hollywood Reporter, thanking Remini for standing by him after he left Scientology and praised her "enormous amount of integrity and compassion".{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/leah-reminis-scientology-break-paul-595708 |title=Paul Haggis Pens Open Letter Praising Leah Remini's 'Brave' Break With Scientology |last=Haggis|first=Paul|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 31, 2013|access-date=July 31, 2013}}

In August 2013, it was disclosed that Remini had filed a missing person report with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) concerning Shelly Miscavige, the wife of Scientology leader David Miscavige, who has not been seen in public since 2007.{{cite news| url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/leah-remini-files-missing-person-602723|title=Leah Remini Files Missing Person Report for Scientology Leader David Miscavige's Wife|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 8, 2013| access-date=August 8, 2013}} After the report was filed, the LAPD looked into the matter, met and spoke with Shelly Miscavige before closing the investigation, and stated Remini's report was "unfounded". Scientology said in a statement that the whole affair was simply harassment and a publicity stunt for Remini.Blankstein, Andrew. [https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-scientology-leaders-wife-found-lapd-closes-missing-persons-case-20130809-story.html "Scientology leader's wife located by LAPD after Leah Remini inquiry"], Los Angeles Times, August 9, 2013; accessed March 30, 2015.Harris, Dan. [https://abcnews.go.com/US/lapd-dismisses-leah-reminis-missing-person-report-wife/story?id=19912347 "LAPD Dismisses Leah Remini's Missing Person Report on Wife of Scientology Leader"]. ABC News. August 9, 2013; accessed March 30, 2015.Finn, Natalie. [http://www.eonline.com/news/447265/leah-remini-files-missing-person-report-for-scientology-leader-s-wife-shelly-miscavige-church-slams-harassment "Leah Remini Files Missing Person Report for Scientology Leader's Wife, Shelly Miscavige; Church Slams 'Harassment'"]. E! Online. August 8, 2013. accessed March 30, 2015.

In October 2013, it was reported that Remini had been subpoenaed to testify in a lawsuit in Comal County, Texas, against Scientology and David Miscavige, regarding acts of alleged harassment and surveillance against Monique Rathbun, who was married to ex-Scientology executive Mark Rathbun. Monique Rathbun's attorney, Ray Jeffery, said he wanted Remini to give a deposition in the hopes she could testify that Miscavige has vast influence over the operations of the Church and had to have known about the alleged harassment. In 2023, Remini sued the Church of Scientology and David Miscavige, accusing them of harassment, stalking, psychological torture, and operating an over ten-year campaign to ruin and destroy Remini's life and livelihood.{{cite news |url=https://abc7.com/leah-remini-church-of-scientology-lawsuit-david-miscavige/13588893/ |title=Leah Remini sues Church of Scientology alleging defamation and 'psychological torture' |first1=Jovana |last1=Lara |first2=Lisa |last2=Bartley |date=August 2, 2023 |newspaper=ABC7}}

In a 2015 interview with People, Remini talked about her embrace of Catholicism, the comfort she was finding in the religion's practices, and how this contrasted with her experience of Scientology.{{cite web |last1=Ehrich Dowd |first1=Kathy |date=4 November 2015 |title=Leah Remini on Embracing Catholicism After Scientology: 'To Me It's What Religion Is Supposed To Be' |url=https://people.com/books/leah-remini-talks-embracing-catholicism-after-scientology/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311190846/https://people.com/books/leah-remini-talks-embracing-catholicism-after-scientology/ |archive-date=11 March 2021 |access-date=11 March 2021 |website=People.com |publisher=People |quote=Former Scientologist Leah Remini tells PEOPLE she finds peace "sitting and praying and doing my rosary"}}

Remini met actor Angelo Pagán{{cite web |title=Angelo Pagán |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0655995/ |website=IMDb}} at a Cuban restaurant in 1996.Mentioned on the Joe Rogan Experience in February 2017 Pagán has three sons from previous relationships. He and Remini were married in Las Vegas by a Scientologist minister on July 19, 2003.{{cite news |date=August 25, 2003 |title=I Do, I Do, I Do! |volume=60 |newspaper=People |number=8 |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20140871,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608074430/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20140871,00.html |archive-date=June 8, 2008}} Their daughter Sofia was born on June 16, 2004.{{cite web |last=Bricker |first=Tierney |date=March 5, 2014 |title=Leah Remini to Star in Reality-TV Show for TLC |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/518042/leah-remini-to-star-in-reality-tv-show-for-tlc |access-date=September 28, 2014 |publisher=E! News}} In September 2015, when Sofia was eleven years old, her parents celebrated her baptism into the Catholic Church. On August 29, 2024, Remini announced via Instagram that she and Pagán have decided to divorce.{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C_Rlu6AS3le/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=www.instagram.com}} They finalized their divorce in October of 2024.{{cite web |last1=Krauser |first1=Emily |title=Who Is Leah Remini's Ex-Husband? All About Angelo Pagán |url=https://people.com/who-is-angelo-pagan-leah-remini-husband-7502481 |website=People.com |publisher=People |access-date=9 January 2025 |language=en}}

Remini had left school with just an 8th-grade education, which she attributes to her involvement with Scientology. In May 2021, Remini was accepted into an associate degree program in liberal arts at New York University, saying:{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2021 |first=Naledi |last=Ushe |title=Leah Remini Shares Admissions Letter After Being Accepted into NYU: 'I Am So Excited, in Tears' |url=https://people.com/tv/leah-remini-accepted-nyu-admissions-letter/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=people.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Leah Remini celebrates finishing her first semester at university |url=https://nz.news.yahoo.com/leah-remini-celebrates-finishing-her-180349123.html |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=nz.news.yahoo.com |date=May 8, 2022 |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web |date=2021-05-20 |title=Why Leah Remini's Acceptance Into NYU Left Her 'In Tears' |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1271938/why-leah-reminis-acceptance-into-nyu-left-her-in-tears |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=E! Online |first=Kaitlin |last=Reilly}}

{{blockquote |text=For someone like me, a person who desperately wanted a higher education and options in my life, coming from a cult and a family who didn't value an education, this is a very big day for me. This didn't come easy. This is one of the last chunks of my life that I am taking back for myself from Scientology.}}

In 2023, after completing her second year at NYU, Remini expressed how "undertaking this educational journey has been one of the most difficult experiences of my life."{{cite web |url=https://people.com/leah-remini-celebrates-finishing-her-second-semester-at-nyu-one-of-the-most-difficult-experiences-7507959 |title=Leah Remini Celebrates Finishing Her Second Semester at NYU: 'One of the Most Difficult Experiences' |date=June 2, 2023 |first=Dave |last=Quinn |website=People |quote=Two years ago, I had an 8th-grade education thanks to spending 35 years in a cult ... and now, at age 52, I've successfully finished my second year at NYU.}} She completed her associate degree in March 2024 and began working toward a bachelor's degree.{{cite tweet |number=1773480905535066358 |user=LeahRemini |title=I have earned an associate's degree from NYU. I'm now working on my bachelor's degree. |date=March 28, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=2024-03-29 |title=Leah Remini says 'it's never too late to continue your education' as she earns college degree at age 53 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/28/entertainment/leah-remini-college-degree-age-53/index.html |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Brito |first=Christopher |date=2024-03-29 |title=Leah Remini earns college degree at age 53: "It's never too late to continue your education" - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/leah-remini-college-degree-nyu-scientology/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}

• {{cite book |first=Leah|last=Remini |year=2015 |title=Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology |publisher=Ballantine Books |isbn=978-1101886960}}

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite magazine |date=November 4, 2015 |title=Leah Remini on embracing Catholicism after Scientology: 'To me it's what religion is supposed to be' |url=http://people.com/books/leah-remini-talks-embracing-catholicism-after-scientology/ |magazine=People |publisher=Time Inc.}}

}}

• {{cite book|first1=Leah|last1=Remini|first2=Rebecca|last2=Paley|year=2015|title=Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology|publisher=Ballantine Books|isbn=978-1-2500-9693-7|title-link=Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology}}
• {{cite book|first=Ray|last=Richmond|year=1999|title=My Greatest Day in Show Business: Screen Legends Share Their Fondest Memories|publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing|isbn= 978-0-878-33224-3}}

{{sister project links|d=Q242580|b=no|wikt=no|s=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|n=no|q=no}}

• {{Official website|http://www.leahremini.com/}}
• {{IMDb name|718957}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170227150516/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bbd056489 Leah Remini] at the British Film Institute

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Remini, Leah}}

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