Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini first met through Lopez's ex-husband Marc Anthony. Over the years, the two have become very good friends and even worked together in the film Second Act.
Remini grew up in the Church of Scientology and ended up leaving the church in 2013. The decision to leave was painful, as Remini was prevented from contacting close friends and loved ones who were still part of the church.
One friend who remained by her side, however, was Lopez. Remini even shared the supportive words of advice she received from Lopez during that difficult time.
Jennifer Lopez Once Said That She Would Have No Problem Raising Her Children As Scientologists
In 2007, Lopez defended Scientologists in an interview with NBC.
"I'm not a scientologist, I was raised Catholic," Lopez explained. "But it's funny the way people come at it. To me it's so strange. These are some of the best people I've ever met in my life. You know, they're just lovely, genuine people. They way they ask is such a, 'Uh, are you (a scientologist)?' It's such a negative thing and I just don't see it that way."
Lopez continued, "My dad has been a Scientologist for 20 years. He's the best man that I know in my life and so, it's weird to me that people want to paint it in a negative way."
In 2008, Lopez did an interview with The Daily Beast. At the time, Lopez just gave birth to twins and was asked if she would consider raising her children with the religion.
"I do know a lot about Scientology," Lopez said. "And I know about the practices. I know all about what the technology is and all that kind of stuff. It’s very helpful. So in a sense, yeah, you do call on it. No…I wouldn't have a problem saying [I was a Scientologist] because I know what it is. I have no problems with it and it really actually bothers me that people have such a negative feeling towards it."
She added, "Yeah. I wouldn’t mind (schooling my children in Scientology). Not at all. Because I know that the technologies that they have are very helpful…It’s all about communication. That’s the thing I really don’t like about talking about this. I do know so many great people who do do it, who choose it as a lifestyle and really follow it and it is their religion…I just wish that people wouldn’t judge it without knowing what it is."
Leah Remini Leaves The Church And Makes Her Fight Public
Since exiting the Church of Scientology, Remini has made it her mission to expose "how they use their millions of dollars in tax-exempt money to bully, harass and attempt to silence those that are speaking out."
Remini spoke to The Daily Beast in 2018 and explained how she believes the church is manipulating people, particularly with money.
"Scientologists pay for it because they’re being told they’re saving the planet—that they’re reducing criminality, preventing people from overdosing on psychotropic drugs. So Scientologists are giving the money, like I did, thinking that Scientology is changing the world for the better. I wish it were true," Remini said.
The Church of Scientology has denied all of Remini's claims against them.
Leah Remini Says That The Church Of Scientology Wanted Her To Convert Jennifer Lopez
After Remini left the Church of Scientology, she has been very open about her experience. Remini has done several interviews, a television series, and even wrote a book about her time in the Church.
Remini even claimed the church wanted her to invite Lopez.
"They were trying to extract me," Remini said. "I can only assume because they wanted to make Jennifer a Scientologist. Maybe I was barring that road for them."
Lopez, however, saw right through it and respectfully declined the invitation.
"I didn’t save her from anything. Jennifer is a very strong-minded female, and is a seeker of spirituality. She’s Catholic—always has been—and her father is a very indoctrinated Scientologist, and has been for quite a long time. He’s achieved the confidential levels of Scientology. But Jennifer makes her own decisions," Remini said.
Remini said that Lopez didn't agree with the church's "disconnection policy," where those who leave the religion can't be contacted by other members, thereby separating them from their family.
Remini also said that Lopez helped her through that time. This is something Lopez herself confirmed during an interview on Watch What Happens Live.
When speaking to Access Hollywood Live, Remini explained how Lopez's advice helped her during that time.
"[Lopez] said, ‘You know Leah, you don’t have to give everything up. It’s okay to look at it as something there were things about it that were helpful and just leave the rest. So don’t throw it all away or think your life is wasted.'"
Remini added, "And I thought that was a beautiful thing to say. It just allowed me to breath for a minute, like, ‘Yeah, you’re right, I don’t have to say everything’s bad, everything’s lost.’ And she’s just been supportive in an amazing way."
