Orange Is The New Black's Laura Prepon Is No Longer A Scientologist
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Orange Is The New Black's Laura Prepon has said that she has left Scientology, in a new interview.
Prepon starred in the popular American drama between 2013 and 2019 as Alex Vause but was also one of the controversial religion's higher profile converts, having joined the church in 1999.
However, in an interview with People, the actor revealed that she was no longer a member - and in fact ceased to become a Scientologist five years ago in 2016.
"I'm no longer practicing Scientology," Prepon said.
"I've always been very open-minded, even since I was a child. I was raised Catholic and Jewish. I've prayed in churches, meditated in temples. I've studied Chinese meridian theory.
"I haven't practiced Scientology in close to five years and it's no longer part of my life."
The 41 year-old went on to say that nowadays she prefers to meditate with her husband and fellow actor Ben Foster instead.
"We meditate daily and I'm really liking it," she said.
"Because it's something that helps me to hear my own voice and it's something we can do together."
Foster - former star of TV drama Six Feet Under and 2016 neo-Western crime flick Hell Or High Water - has never practiced scientology.
Losing Prepon is no doubt a blow to the church, but at least they still seem to have Tom Cruise in their ranks. The most high profile member of the group, Cruise has been an outspoken member since 1986.
In 2019 he went as far as banning his ex-wife Nicole Kidman from their son Connor's wedding due to the fact that she was deemed a 'suppressive' person by the church.
A source at the time said: "First, Tom would never even consider inviting Nicole to Connor's wedding because she's considered a 'suppressive person' by the church - and, second, he doesn't want her there."
However, former Scientologist Doug Scott Kramer - who left the church after 24 years - recently told LADbible that he can understand why it appeals to actors.
"Scientology ensnares artists in particular because they are the perfect mouthpiece/promotional piece for the cult," he said.
"Tom Cruise is successful and follows Scientology, it has to be good, don't you want to at least look into it before you dismiss it? That's the benefit Scientology gets.
"What do aspiring artists get out of it? 'Certainty' to all of life's answers and a way into the business. A 'support system'. And protection from the cult should the artist run into any 'trouble'."
It's understandable why that must be a hard thing to turn away from. For Prepon, though, it seems like something she's been able to achieve.
Featured Image Credit: Credit: Netflix
Topics: Celebrity, US Entertainment
