Scientologist ideologue Juliette Lewis confessed she's very disturbed about the Scientology's image presented by the media, arguing she would never subscribe to a restrictive, controlling religion.

Lewis confessed Scientology helped her to become a strong and independent person, stating it has allowed her to experience life in different way.

She says: "Whatever the media writes about Scientology would go against what you would think of me. But I'm fiercely independent and defiant and its all the stuff that I've done in Scientology that has helped reinforce that and make me even more of an individual.

"It's a true non-conformist religion. It's just the media makes it really negative."

"I am no longer stuck in the bottomless pit of despair and apathy. Having achieved the state of Clear is the single most important thing that I've done for myself. It has allowed me to experience life in a way I only imagined."

Juliette Lewis, born June 21, 1973 wanted to act since she was six years old, and got her start in TV at the age of twelve. She has appeared in over forty films and made-for-TV movies.

She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1992 for Cape Fear. She received an Emmy nomination for her performance in My Louisiana Sky in 2001.

Lewis has also launched a career as a solo singer and musician, leading a group called Juliette and the Licks which has released a number of recordings. She is working with rock songwriter Linda Perry, among others.