The controversial Church of Scientology spied on Nicole Kidman and tapped her phone in an effort to break up her marriage with then-husband Tom Cruise a high-ranking church officer has claimed in a new book.
The leaders of the church desperately tried to put a wedge between the couple as they feared Kidman might pull Cruise away from the controversial religious movement, according to the book ‘A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology.’
They did so because Cruise, a long-time poster boy of the church, began to ignore Scientology head David Miscavige’s calls while the actor and Kidman were filming the film ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ in London in 1997, former high-ranking church officer Mike Rinder writes in the book.
Miscavige was suspicious of the actor’s second wife because she had not expressed an eagerness for Scientology and he was allegedly terrified that he was losing control of Cruise – so much so that he allegedly ordered Kidman’s phone to be tapped.
The head of the church also allegedly appointed Marty Rathbun, formerly the second highest-ranking official, to facilitate the break up and audit Cruise so that he would become ‘clear’ about the importance of Scientology.
‘Rathburn worked with [Hollywood lawyer] Bert Fields to hire infamous PI Anthony Pellicano to spy on Nicole and tap her phone,’ Riner claims in his new book, according to Page Six.
The controversial Church of Scientology spied on Nicole Kidman and tapped her phone in an effort to break up her marriage with then-husband Tom Cruise (pictured together in 1994) a high-ranking church officer has claimed in a new book
They did so because Tom Cruise, a long-time poster boy of the church, began to ignore Scientology head David Miscavige’s calls while the actor and Kidman were filming the film ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (pictured) in London in 1997, former high-ranking church officer Mike Rinder writes in the book
Pellicano spent over 10 years in prison, serving a sentence for wiretapping, racketeering, and the illegal possession of explosives and grenades.
Rinder claims that the tactics allegedly used by the church worked and Cruise ‘was gradually drawn back into the world of scientology’.
But this renewed devotion to the church of Scientology ‘created a distance between him and Kidman’ and eventually led to their divorce in 2001.
‘When Tom and Nicole divorced, Miscavige was happy that the ‘negative influence’ of Nicole was no longer dragging Tom away,’ Rinder writes. ‘Cruise thereafter became more fervent in his vocal public support of scientology and Miscavige.’
The church has denied tapping into Kidman’s phone and accused Rinder or being an ‘inveterate liar’. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Kidman, Cruise and the church.
But Rathburn claimed in the 2015 movie ‘Going Clear: Scientology And The Prison Of Belief’ that he was appointed by Rathburn to ‘facilitate the breakup’ between Kidman and Cruise because he was suspicious of the actress.
Rinder also claims that Rathburn turned Cruise and Kidman’s two adopted children, Isabella and Connor, against the actress by immersing them in Scientology.
The leaders of the church desperately tried to put a wedge between the couple as they feared Kidman might pull Cruise away from the controversial religious movement, according to the book ‘A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology’
Scientologists are forbidden from having close or meaningful relationships with those outside the faith according to a number of former members, who say that these individuals are referred to as suppressive persons.
This meant that Kidman was forced to watch from afar as her children grew into adults, and even had to miss out on her daughter’s 2015 wedding despite being in London on the West End when her daughter was married in the city.
The Australian actress adopted Connor and Isabella with Tom when they were married, with the pair going on to split in 2001.
She previously told Who.com.au: ‘They have made choices to be Scientologists. It’s our job as a parent to always offer unconditional love.’
It was said that Kidman’s relationship with her children was so strained that she was rumoured to have been banned from son Connor’s wedding to fiancée Silvia.
Meanwhile, Kidman is rumored to blame Scientology for ruining her marriage and separating her from Connor and Isabella.
In her book Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, ex-Scientology member Leah Remini claimed that Nicole was labeled a ‘suppressive person’ or ‘SP’ by the church after leaving.
Tom Cruise ‘built a football pitch in bid to “woo” David Beckham into visiting Church of Scientology headquarters’
By Kate Dennett for MailOnline
Tom Cruise allegedly built a football pitch on the grounds of the Church of Scientology headquarters in a bid to ‘woo’ David Beckham into visiting.
The Hollywood star, 60, was reportedly keen to introduce famous faces to the practice, including former footballer David, 47, and his wife Victoria, according to Page Six.
It was allegedly agreed that a ‘professional-grade’ football pitch would be constructed at the Gold Base headquarters in California to give Tom a reason to visit with David. However, the trip reportedly never took place.
The publication claimed Mike Rinder – a former high-ranking officer in the church – detailed the reported construction in his new book, A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology.
‘[Tom] was doing his best to court celebrities other than those with whom he was working on films, perhaps the most famous were David and Victoria Beckham,’ he reportedly said.
Pals: The Hollywood star, 60, was reportedly keen to introduce famous faces to the practice, including former footballer David (pictured in 2008), 47, and his wife Victoria
‘A professional-grade soccer pitch was constructed on the property at Gold, the ground was levelled, irrigation installed, perfect turf, goals raised.’
‘It was built for one purpose only: so Tom Cruise could woo his friend David to come to Gold – it never happened,’ he added.
However, a spokesperson for the Church of Scientology is said to have branded the author an ‘inveterate liar’ who has been ‘harassing’ the organisation.
A spokesperson told Page Six: ‘Mike Rinder is an inveterate liar who seeks to profit from his dishonesty.
‘He supports himself by orchestrating the harassment of his former Church and its leader through false police reports, incendiary propaganda and fraudulent media stories.’
MailOnline has contacted the Church of Scientology, and Tom and David’s representatives for comment.
Mike worked as Scientology’s international spokesperson and head of its Office of Special Affairs but left the organisation in 2007 when he was 52.
Tom has been a member of the church since 1990 and is known for his close friendship with Scientology’s current leader David Miscavige.
In 2019, it was reported that Tom is considered a ‘deity’ within the Church of Scientology and lower-ranked members are reportedly encouraged to see the actor’s films multiple times, according to a previous Scientologist.
Leah Remini, who was a Scientologist until 2013, said the Mission: Impossible actor, 56, is like a god to the members of the church.
It was also reported that lower-ranking Scientologists are told by their leaders to see his movies, with thousands of tickets apparently bought for his Mission: Impossible and Jack Reacher franchises to increase the actor’s box office.
Tom’s two children Connor and Isabella, who he adopted with Nicole Kidman, are also said to be practicing Scientologists. Tom and Nicole divorced in 2001 after 11 years of marriage.
Nicole previously told Vogue magazine in 2013 that she had ‘chosen not to speak publicly about Scientology’.
‘I have two children who are Scientologists – Connor and Isabella – and I utterly respect their beliefs,’ she added.
Source: dailymail
