Tom Cruise Received Free Labor From Church of Scientology, Report Says
Posted on Feb 08, 2011 @ 11:25AM - 24 comments
The Church of Scientology is under FBI investigation in connection with allegations of human trafficking and the use of unpaid labor, according to a report from The New Yorker, which said that even A-lister Tom Cruise has put church members to work for him for little-to-no-pay.
PHOTOS: Playboy's Salon Draws NY's Elite
Posted on Oct 22, 2010 @ 06:22AM - Add a comment
The brightest minds from the film, literary and social circles gathered in an Indian tent erected at Manhattan's House of Waris Tea Room for Playboy's Salon, in commemoration of a recent translation by Lydia Davis of Flaubert's Madame Bovery, which is featured in September's issue of Playboy.
REPORT: Celebs Keep Scientology Afloat While Number Of Defectors Grows
Posted on Mar 07, 2010 @ 01:25PM - 36 comments
Hollywood helped make Scientology famous, and the church claims its membership is "most definitely in the millions in the U.S.," according to spokesman Tommy Davis. Yet the American Religious Identification Survey lists the number of Scientologists as just 25,000 in 2008. That was just one of the stunning findings in a blockbuster New York Times article on the growing number of members defecting from the controversial religion.
"The church works hard to cultivate public members -- especially celebrities like Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Nancy Cartwright -- whose money keeps it running," the article states. But even Hollywood is starting to turn its back on Scientology. As RadarOnline.com reported last year, Oscar-winning writer/director Paul Haggis of Crash fame, bolted after 35 years.
Paul Haggis Leaves Scientology
None of the celebrities talked to the NY Times about Scientology but a number of long-term members who have recently left, did. They consistently tell of an "oppressive" atmosphere, "living in fear," and for members of the top-tier Sea Org, not being allowed to have children.
Tom Cruise Wedding Chef "Chased Down" By Scientology
Said one former member who was sent to South Africa to open a new church, "It was all built on lies.....the church is shrinking."
WORLD PREMIERE: 'We Are The World 25' Released
Posted on Feb 13, 2010 @ 02:12PM - 19 comments
'We Are the World 25' premiered to millions around the world in a rare simulcast Saturday, and RadarOnline.com has the video.
Academy Award winning actor Jamie Foxx introduces the much-anticipated music video.
FIRST PHOTOS: We Are The World Remake - Behind The Scenes Of Star-Studded Recording
"Two weeks ago we found ourselves surrounded by a dazzling array of artists of all ages, backgrounds and genres - but all of whom who shared a common commitment to take cation to help Haiti rise from the rubble and rebuild," said Foxx.
A shorter, three-minute version of the re-recording debuted Friday night during coverage of the opening ceremony of the XXI Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Tween heartthrob Bieber opens the song, which also features Barbara Streisand, Cyrus, Fergie, Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Scherzinger, Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, Céline Dion, Josh Groban, Nick Jonas, Lil Wayne, Jeff Bridges, Kanye West and Wyclef Jean.
And while he may no longer with us in life, original 'We Are the World' co-writer and executive producer Michael Jackson was featured, singing alongside sister Janet.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW: will.i.am On We Are The World Remake: "I Was Crying"
The song's most significant update is a rap breakdown lead by LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg and Will.I.Am.
And there is also a nod to the original record from 1985, when Foxx imitates Ray Charles, much to the amusement of Hudson.
The video, filmed by Oscar winner Paul Haggis, shows some of the 85 artists who gathered in Los Angeles this month to re-record the charity anthem.
"We ask you to do please more than just watch," said Foxx.
"Reach deep into your hearts and give anything you can as we have for Haiti.
"Whatever you have, no matter how big or small, it all helps."
The video finishes with Lionel Richie, who co-wrote the song with Jackson 25 years ago: "Wow... We Are The World 25' is an opportunity for us to see what we can do to help our fellow man.
"Haiti right now is in desperate need of our help - and you can help them."
VIDEO: 'We Are The World' Teaser Released
Posted on Feb 12, 2010 @ 02:18PM - 2 comments
The 25th-anniversary remake of 'We Are The World' debuted Friday night during coverage of the opening ceremony of the XXI Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
FIRST PHOTOS: We Are The World Remake - Behind The Scenes Of Star-Studded Recording
The glimpse of version 2.0 came before the full seven-minute version of the music video is to be aired simultaneously on 53 domestic and international channels later Saturday.
The worldwide simulcast is set for 2 p.m. Eastern.
The video, filmed by Oscar winner Paul Haggis, shows some of the 85 artists who gathered in Los Angeles this month to re-record the charity anthem.
PHOTOS: Stars record for the We Are The World 25 Years for Haiti Recording Session Held At Jim Henson Studio
In the teaser released, tween heartthrob Bieber opens the song, which also features Barbara Streisand, Cyrus, Fergie, Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Scherzinger, Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, Céline Dion, Josh Groban, LL Cool J, Nick Jonas, Lil Wayne, Jeff Bridges, Kanye West and Wyclef Jean.
And while he may no longer with us in life, original 'We Are the World' co-writer and executive producer Michael Jackson was featured, singing alongside sister Janet.
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW: will.i.am On We Are The World Remake: "I Was Crying"
Oscar-Winner Paul Haggis' Stunning Departure From Scientology, Accuses Leader Tommy Davis Of "Lying" To The Public
Posted on Oct 26, 2009 @ 11:25AM - 25 comments
Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Jenna Elfman can count one less Hollywood A-Lister as a fellow Scientologist. In a shock heard-round-the-Scientology world, Paul Haggis has very publicly quit the organization. Among the acclaimed Haggis' many credits: he wrote Million Dollar Baby and Flags of Our Fathers for Clint Eastwood; and he produced/directed and wrote Crash for which he won an Oscar. He has an all-around stellar reputation in Hollywood as one of the good guys who made good.
Paul Haggis At The Premiere Of The Valley Of Elah
It was his conscience that made him quit the religion he's been part of for 35 years, Haggis said in a letter to Tommy Davis. Davis, the son of actress Anne Archer, is the face of Scientology, appearing on numerous TV interviews every year.
Roger Friedman, in his Hollywood Reporter column, Showbiz 411, broke the story Sunday, and published a copy of Haggis' letter to Davis.
Haggis first became disenchanted with Scientology last year when it backed Prop 8, the ban on gay marriage in California.
The director personally spoke to Davis about it. He claimed he was horrified at the news, Haggis wrote, and he'd get to the bottom of it. Nothing changed.
Then Haggis learned that in a CNN interview, Davis had laughed off the idea that Scientology has a policy of "disconnection." Haggis couldn't believe he was watching Davis "lying." His own family had suffered from disconnection when 18 months ago, his wife, actress-turned-producer Deborah Rennard was ordered to "disconnet" from her parents because of something Scientology officials claimed occured when they resigned from the church 25 year ago.
Perhaps coincidental to Haggis releasing his letter, Davis literally walked off the air during an ABC Nightline interview wth Martin Bashir Saturday night.
Here's Haggis' letter to Davis:
Tommy,
As you know, for ten months now I have been writing to ask you to make
a public statement denouncing the actions of the Church of Scientology
of San Diego. Their public sponsorship of Proposition 8, a hate-filled
legislation that succeeded in taking away the civil rights of gay and
lesbian citizens of California – rights that were granted them by the
Supreme Court of our state – shames us.
I called and wrote and implored you, as the official spokesman of
the church, to condemn their actions. I told you I could not, in good
conscience, be a member of an organization where gay-bashing was
tolerated.
In that first conversation, back at the end of October of last year,
you told me you were horrified, that you would get to the bottom of it
and “heads would roll.” You promised action. Ten months passed. No action
was forthcoming. The best you offered was a weak and carefully worded
press release, which praised the church’s human rights record and took
no responsibility. Even that, you decided not to publish.
The church’s refusal to denounce the actions of these bigots,
hypocrites and homophobes is cowardly. I can think of no other word.
Silence is consent, Tommy. I refuse to consent.
I joined the Church of Scientology thirty-five years ago. During my
twenties and early thirties I studied and received a great deal of
counseling. While I have not been an active member for many years,
I found much of what I learned to be very helpful, and I still apply
it in my daily life. I have never pretended to be the best Scientologist,
but I openly and vigorously defended the church whenever it was criticized,
as I railed against the kind of intolerance that I believed was directed
against it. I had my disagreements, but I dealt with them internally.
I saw the organization – with all its warts, growing pains and
problems – as an underdog. And I have always had a thing for underdogs.
But I reached a point several weeks ago where I no longer knew what to
think. You had allowed our name to be allied with the worst elements of
the Christian Right. In order to contain a potential “PR flap” you
allowed our sponsorship of Proposition 8 to stand. Despite all the
church’s words about promoting freedom and human rights, its name is
now in the public record alongside those who promote bigotry and
intolerance, homophobia and fear.
The fact that the Mormon Church drew all the fire, that no one noticed,
doesn’t matter. I noticed. And I felt sick. I wondered how the church
could, in good conscience, through the action of a few and then the
inaction of its leadership, support a bill that strips a group of its
civil rights.
This was my state of mind when I was online doing research and chanced
upon an interview clip with you on CNN. The interview lasted maybe ten
minutes – it was just you and the newscaster. And in it I saw you deny
the church’s policy of disconnection. You said straight-out there was no
such policy, that it did not exist.
I was shocked. We all know this policy exists. I didn’t have to search
for verification – I didn’t have to look any further than my own home.
You might recall that my wife was ordered to disconnect from her parents
because of something absolutely trivial they supposedly did twenty-five
years ago when they resigned from the church. This is a lovely retired
couple, never said a negative word about Scientology to me or anyone
else I know – hardly raving maniacs or enemies of the church. In fact
it was they who introduced my wife to Scientology.
Although it caused her terrible personal pain, my wife broke off all
contact with them. I refused to do so. I’ve never been good at following
orders, especially when I find them morally reprehensible.
For a year and a half, despite her protestations, my wife did not speak
to her parents and they had limited access to their grandchild. It was a
terrible time.
That’s not ancient history, Tommy. It was a year ago.
And you could laugh at the question as if it was a joke? You could
publicly state that it doesn’t exist?
To see you lie so easily, I am afraid I had to ask myself: what else
are you lying about?
The great majority of Scientologists I know are good people who are
genuinely interested in improving conditions on this planet and helping
others. I have to believe that if they knew what I now know, they too
would be horrified. But I know how easy it was for me to defend our
organization and dismiss our critics, without ever truly looking at what
was being said; I did it for thirty-five years. And so, after writing
this letter, I am fully aware that some of my friends may choose to no
longer associate with me, or in some cases work with me. I will always
take their calls, as I always took yours. However, I have finally come
to the conclusion that I can no longer be a part of this group. Frankly,
I had to look no further than your refusal to denounce the church’s
anti-gay stance, and the indefensible actions, and inactions, of those
who condone this behavior within the organization. I am only ashamed
that I waited this many months to act. I hereby resign my membership in
the Church of Scientology.
Sincerely,
Paul Haggis
