Niece of Church leader David Miscavige reveals Scientology’s expansion strategy

Aug 22, 2013 07:42 GMT  ·  By
Scientology tried to recruit Brad Pitt, he almost became a member, says former Scientologist
   Scientology tried to recruit Brad Pitt, he almost became a member, says former Scientologist

In the early ‘90s, Brad Pitt was dating Juliette Lewis, who remains, to this day, a high-profile Scientologist. Also then, he flirted heavily with the idea of joining the Church and even went through the introductory service, which is actually a detoxification program known as the Purification Rundown.

Jenna Miscavige Hill, the niece of Church leader David Miscavige, was a Scientologist for 21 years before defecting a few years ago. In a new interview, she says she personally saw Brad with her uncle.

She also explains some of the cult’s expansion strategies and highlights that the focus is to bring more celebrities in – not for their money, but for their influence.

The same applied to Brad, who gave the religion a try to please his then-girlfriend and in a bid to sober up, Jenna explains for Radar Online. Hence the Purification Rundown stage, which is also known as the Purif or the Hubbard Method.

“I remember my mum working on renovations for the Celebrity Centre in Los Angeles and she saw Brad Pitt there,” she says.

“I was in love with him at the time. He was in there to do the Purification Rundown. It’s like the first step. I guess he was doing it because of his girlfriend Juliette Lewis. I know Juliette was into drugs and says Scientology saved her from them,” Jenna explains.

Eventually, she adds, Brad realized that Scientology wasn’t what he wanted. In the meantime, he also realized that his relationship with Juliette wasn’t working, so they broke up.

It was a close call for the actor, one might say.

Jenna claims that Bono was also targeted by Scientology, ranking as high as Pitt on his priorities list.

“They know people are obsessed with celebrities so will get more interested in Scientology. I think that celebrities are more inclined to be egocentric and Scientology caters for that – you’re your own God. They’re probably being told that all the time,” she explains.

“That’s why someone like Bono would fit the bill perfectly as so many people know him. I know he was receiving Scientology auditing and was at one of the Celebrity Centre Galas. Why would he need auditing? Scientology markets itself to everyone, it can deal with everything from marital problems to public speaking. He’s a human, so he still needs those things. If he were to join, all the world would be Scientology!” Jenna continues.

In a statement to the aforementioned media outlet, the Church of Scientology says that Jenna’s memories from her time with them “vary” from interview to interview, so she’s not a reliable source.

They also claim she never had access to higher levels to have been able to be witness to the things she says she witnessed.