Leah Remini left the church of Scientology, of which she was a member for 30 years, nearly a year ago.
Now, the former King of Queens star is working on a reality show, The Leah Remini Project, with her family, who she says has become closer than ever since she left the church.
“We’re learning new ways to reconnect with each other, so it really has brought us closer together,” Leah told Ellen DeGeneres, during a recent appearance on Ellen’s talk show. “We’re stronger and we’re having so much fun together and this is something that the family loves to do.”
Last year, Leah explained that the TLC reality show would be a great way to inspire others and entertain at the same time. Her agent told her that her life with her husband Angelo and her nine-year-old daughter Sofia would be compelling to many viewers. “People tell us, ‘You guys are funny.’ Other people find us entertaining, so we thought, ‘Let’s do it,’ ” Remini said.
They also decided to get other members of Leah’s family to take part including her mother and father. “Angelo’s on it, my stepfather, my little sister, my nanny, my housekeeper, everybody [is involved],” Leah said. “It’s crazy. My family is not so different from the rest of America,” she added. “I think people love to see that, oh, just because she’s on television and in Hollywood, I can still relate to her.”
Remini explained that she didn’t want to have a show that was simply full of drama. She realizes that stuff comes up in every family, but she wants the show to be a true look inside her family life. “I don’t want to be doing a show that’s negative, that’s filled with drama,” she said.
“Things do come up in our lives. We are going through a transition, and we are leaning on each other. I hope people see growth from us, and I hope it inspires them to be who they are to each other and strengthen their relationships. I’m hoping that’s what people are going to take away from it. And if they laugh, even better.”
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