BRAD'S GREAT ESCAPE FROM SCIENTOLOGY
A former member has revealed the star very nearly became the church’s most high-profile recruit
An explosive new interview has lifted the lid on how close Brad Pitt was to becoming the Church of Scientology’s most-prized celebrity member.
Former Celebrity Center commanding officer Karen Schless Pressley (pictured, inset) – who escaped the controversial religion almost 20 years ago – has revealed the World War Z star was at the top of their list of recruitment targets, adding they very nearly convinced him to sign up!
“[Brad] came in for a few courses, but fell away,” Karen says, adding the Hollywood heavyweight became associated with the church through his thengirlfriend Juliette Lewis – who is still believed to be a devotee to the church – in the early ’90s.
According to Karen, the superstars on the Scientology wish list were described as “raw meat”.
“We were always on the hunt for raw meat. Our goal was to use existing celebrities to be the recruiters and we would teach them how to go out and contact people and bring them to an understanding,” she reveals.
“Recruiters would track where celebrities were filming and try to get onto the studio lots or sets. Celebrities who were considered ‘stable’ Scientologists were asked to compile lists of celebrity friends – ‘quarry’ to be targeted.”
Karen admits Brad, 53, wasn’t the only high-profile name to be targeted by the controversial religion. In fact, there were plenty of others who managed to slip out of Scientology’s grasp. Karen alleges Demi Moore, Walt Disney, Sean Penn, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Jackson and even notorious cult leader Charles Manson were among the other quarry who were approached.
Aussie media moguls James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch were also listed as raw meat. James is rumoured to have been a member for a short while, but Lachlan resisted advances.