Actress Remini quits Scientology
Actress Leah Remini expressed appreciation to fans and others following word of her decision to leave the Church of Scientology.
In a statement issued Thursday by her talent agency, the former “King of Queens” star said she was grateful to the media, her colleagues and fans around the world for their “overwhelmingly positive support.”
The statement made no mention of Scientology, and the APA talent and literary agency said Remini had no further comment.
But a person familiar with Remini’s decision said the statement referred to her break with the church and public reaction to it. The person spoke on condition of anonymity.
A message seeking comment from the Church of Scientology International in Los Angeles was not returned.
Remini has been a longtime member of the church. When she joined CBS’ daytime program “The Talk” in 2010 as an original co-host, she told a news conference that she didn’t intend to make her religion part of the show.
“I love to make people laugh, entertain them. That other thing is something that is not even part of my discussion,” said Remini, who was with “The Talk” for a season.
Depp rumored in land buy
Questions have been swirling about whether Johnny Depp is really preparing to be the latest potential buyer of a portion of the Wounded Knee National Historic Landmark.
Depp told London’s Daily Mail newspaper last week that he’s working to buy a piece of the landmark up for sale on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to give back to the tribe because it’s important to their culture. The site in South Dakota is where 300 Native American men, women and children were killed by the 7th Cavalry in 1890.
Since the interview, Depp has been quiet, and there’s no record of an offer made for the land.
Aretha cancels Detroit show
Aretha Franklin has canceled a Detroitarea performance set for July 27, citing ongoing treatment.
The show at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Mich., initially had been scheduled for June 22, but Franklin postponed it to later this month.
Then Franklin, 71, said she was canceling the show “one last time” due to an unspecified ongoing treatment.
The Queen of Soul — who was born in Memphis — had announced in May that she was putting off shows for her treatment.