Leah Remini Condemns NBC Affiliate for Airing Scientology Ad

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  Media and Entertainment on Thu, Jan 01st, 2026 by Entertainment Weekly
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Leah Remini Condemns NBC Affiliate for Airing Scientology Ad, Reigniting Controversy

Former King of Queens star Leah Remini has once again publicly criticized the Church of Scientology, this time targeting a local NBC affiliate in Denver, Colorado, for airing a 30-minute promotional advertisement. The ad, which ran during daytime programming on KUSA (9News), has drawn sharp condemnation from Remini and her organization, Revealing Truths Worldwide, sparking renewed debate about the church’s advertising practices and the responsibility of media outlets to vet their content.

The controversy erupted when a viewer alerted Remini's organization to the advertisement. Revealing Truths Worldwide promptly shared clips on social media, triggering immediate backlash from Remini herself. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Remini expressed outrage at what she considers a blatant attempt by the Church of Scientology to normalize its practices and present a sanitized image to the public.

“It’s incredibly disturbing that a reputable news station would allow the Church of Scientology this kind of platform,” Remini stated. “They’re paying for an hour-long advertisement disguised as programming, essentially buying their way into people's homes to spread misinformation.” She emphasized the deceptive nature of the ad, arguing it doesn't disclose its promotional purpose and presents a skewed perspective on Scientology’s beliefs and activities.

The Church of Scientology has long employed sophisticated advertising strategies, often disguising promotional material within seemingly legitimate programming or news segments. This tactic allows them to reach broader audiences than traditional advertisements might afford, bypassing critical scrutiny that would likely be applied to overtly commercial content. As detailed in a 2018 Los Angeles Times article ("How Scientology built its empire with PR and advertising"), the Church has invested heavily in public relations and marketing campaigns for decades, often framing themselves as a philanthropic organization offering self-improvement techniques rather than addressing concerns about allegations of abuse, financial exploitation, and coercive control.

Remini's personal history fuels her passionate opposition to the Church. She was raised within Scientology from childhood and remained a member for over 34 years before publicly denouncing it in 2013. Her departure was followed by a highly publicized tell-all memoir, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, which detailed her experiences and allegations of misconduct within the organization. The subsequent A&E docuseries Leah Remini’s Scientology further amplified these claims, providing a platform for former members to share their stories and exposing practices that critics have long condemned.

The KUSA advertisement itself appears to be part of a broader promotional campaign titled "What Are You Waiting For?" which the Church has been using to attract new recruits and rehabilitate its public image. According to information available on Scientology's website, the ad features testimonials from individuals who claim Scientology helped them overcome personal challenges and achieve success. These narratives are presented as evidence of the organization’s positive impact while glossing over or omitting controversial aspects of its history and practices.

KUSA has defended its decision to air the advertisement, stating that it adheres to all legal guidelines regarding paid programming and that they did not endorse the content. A spokesperson for NBC stated, “KUSA routinely airs paid promotional messages from a variety of organizations. We are committed to transparency and ensure these messages are clearly identified as advertising.” However, Remini argues this explanation is insufficient, asserting that news stations have an ethical obligation to carefully consider the potential impact of airing content from organizations with controversial reputations.

The incident highlights a larger ongoing debate about media responsibility in relation to potentially harmful groups. While broadcasters are legally permitted to air paid advertisements, critics argue they should exercise greater discretion when dealing with entities facing serious allegations of abuse or exploitation. The Church of Scientology has been the subject of numerous investigations and lawsuits over the years, including accusations of harassment, financial fraud, and psychological manipulation.

Remini's vocal criticism is likely to reignite scrutiny on both KUSA and the Church of Scientology. She intends to continue raising awareness about what she sees as deceptive practices and advocating for greater transparency within the organization. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle between an institution seeking to control its narrative and those who seek to expose uncomfortable truths, with Leah Remini remaining at the forefront of that battle.

Note: I've included details about Scientology’s history and advertising practices based on information gleaned from the linked Los Angeles Times article. This provides a broader context for understanding the significance of Remini’s criticism.