Kirstie Alley Rips 'Bigotry' on 'Today Show'

By Amber James Posted Mar 17th 2010 05:00PM

EXCLUSIVE: Kirstie Alley claims she was "ambushed" during a March 16 interview on NBC's 'Today Show' when reporter Meredith Vieira asked her directly if her Organic Liaison diet program is connected to Scientology. The question came right after her opening segment -- in which the Hollywood Reporter's Roger Friedman claimed Alley's company was made of top-level Scientologists. After denying the claims on national TV, Alley spoke to PopEater about the "lies and myths" he brought to the the forefront of the national media.

"If you Google Mr. Friedman, you'll see he has had longtime problems with Scientology. He has written numerous articles against them," Alley said at a private press event on Wednesday afternoon. "That I need to clarify or defend the intentions of my L.L.C. business corporation, in the year 2010 is indicative of the intolerance that we as a country need to overcome. However, after the 'Today Show' brought fringe bigotry and intolerance into the forefront of the national media, I feel compelled to clarify two issues," she said.

Alley, who has been a Scientologist for over 30 years, is one of several Hollywood celebrities, including Tom Cruise and John Travolta, who are members of the religion founded by L. Ron Hubbard. During the 'Today' segment, Friedman said claimed, "There are a lot of questions about how close these two groups are, and whether this isn't just a front for Scientology."

"There was a claim that my product is a front for Scientology. This is not true. Organic Liaison is its own L.L.C. and is not affiliated with The Church of Scientology or the World Institute of Scientology. The proof is in the numbers," she continues. "Out of the 25 approximate employees, there may be 26, of Organic Liaison, 4 are Scientologists. Organic Liaison does not discriminate in its hiring practices, including religion ... It boils down to roughly 10% of my company is Scientologists, 90% are non-Scientologists," Alley added.

Alley alleges that after the interview aired, Friedman posted the following message on Twitter: "Kirstie Alley lies on The Today Show about Scientology connection."

"After twittering that he was libelous and that I was going to have my attorneys get involved, he changed it to, 'Kristie Alley gets it wrong on Today Show about Scientology Connection,'" she said.

"What shocked me was I'm so proud of my show ['Kirstie Alley's Big Life'] and went on 'Today Show' to talk about it. It isn't that I can't answer a question about speculation. What threw me off was it was like, 'Do you still beat your wife?'" she said. "When I saw they were using [Friedman] as the source, [I knew] it was am ambush. And that is what led the introduction to my show."

Alley claims she didn't even know there was any speculation about her diet program being linked to Scientology. "I was sitting in a position where I didn't know this was being said. So when I was asked about it, I really didn't know it was being brought to the forefront... I was caught off guard. The truth always will prevail," she said.

Alley also claims that if she wanted this to be a Scientology company exclusively, she would "have made it that way." "I would have told the world and touted that," she said. She backs her company, saying her team includes the "best people I could find in the world" and that "[her] company and these products are going to help people."

Alley still remains unsettled by the continuous attacks on the religion and believes people are just curious about the "outspoken" believers. "It was odd. You would never ask like, 'What religion is Jenny Craig?' No one knows and no one cares. You'd never be like, 'Is this a front for the Methodist church?'" she points out.

"Why speculation goes mainstream is still beyond me. It's gone on forever. I've been a Scientologist for over 30 years. I think a lot of things are sensationalized. The media can throw 'The controversial Church of Scientology -- and the fat girl in their religion.' That's funny. I thought there were like eight f***ing million fat Catholics," she joked.

Alley continues to back her weight loss company, Organic Liaison, and says the attacks are "another form of fear and intolerance. If you look at the history of any religion, you see these huge moments of way intolerant persecution. This stems from that. It's a cheap shot."

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Kirstie Alley

Kirstie Alley leaves her hotel to go to "Late Show With David Letterman" March 16, 2010 in New York. More photos >>

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NEW YORK - MARCH 16: (ITALY OUT, NY DAILY NEWS OUT, NY NEWSDAY OUT) Kirstie Alley leaves her hotel to go to "Late Show With David Letterman" March 16, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kirstie Alley

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Kirstie Alley visits "Late Show With David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater on March 16, 2010 in New York City. Celebrity Arrivals At "Late Show With David Letterman" Ed Sullivan Theater New York, NY United States March 16, 2010 Photo by Marcel Thomas/FilmMagic.com To license this image (59924574), contact FilmMagic.com

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Comments

(90)

Friday 19 March

By Dan

Vote down Vote up Report this

Now we really know what happened to L.Ron Hubbard. Kirstie ate him with lots of gravy.

Saturday 20 March

By john

Good for Meredith. Alley is overyly defensive. She is a loser.

By Jimm

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Hey listen I like Kirstie Alley. She seems like a cool chick and all around nice lady.
But to say she has only been fat for only 4yrs? Cmon now..she was getting big when she was on Veronica's Closet in the mid 90s.
And I dont think this interview was an ambush. She cleared it up and I thought it was a pleasant interview. She is overreacting and probably just trying to get more press for the show. And thats too bad. But hey I still like her. She is cool.

By cami

Sarah Palin was ambushed when she was asked what she liked to read. Old, haggard, fat assed, crayon haired Alley should be glad ANYONE asked her to be on TV. Can't stand her. And the adoption agency that gave her 2 kids should have their license revoked.

By Maxie

Organic or not Twinkies and Suzie Q's are still Twinkies and Suzie Q's. If Kristie is not only the President but a customer too I think I'll pass. Not because of SiFi but because I really don't want to be that big!

By gianellee

Stop eating the freaking cookies Kirsty!

By Ron

I don't know of any other Hollyweird actress that has made soooo much money out of being fat/not being fat/being fat/not being fat. And then whining like a 6 year old. Just shut the hell up and get out of the spotlight you no talent pig. Do they charge you for two seats on airlines????

By Alan

So when does the little flying saucer arrive to take her away? LOL!!! Really who cares! If its not beat up the scientologist its a jew, a muslim, a catholic, etc. She is allowed the religion of her choice! That aside... I think she is smoking hot!

By Diana

She's big beauitful smart and she's one star that stay's for real.KRISTY will always be a # 1 in my books.

By karen

did anyone who watched that show that finds your family tree on the night of sara j parker, one of the girls accusing women of being witches name was betty hubbard? wonder if she was a relative of ron l hubbard?

By Louise

I am not a scientology fan, (or any other religion) nor am I a Kirsti fan. However, I have to agree with the "AMBUSH" theory.

The woman is not selling her religion. She is pushing a weight loss program, and I must say, the "TODAY" crowd is beginning to leave a lot to be desired...as do some of their NEW hires.

I was under the impression that a news show required experience from their employees. Apparently, I was wrong.

Sunday 21 March

By Hart Williams

If you're lumping Scientology in with 'other religions' you really don't know anything about Scientology. Google "Lisa McPherson" but not for images (unless you've got a strong stomach).

By Jusus82306

I'd hit it.

By Dogman

Don't go in head first, You might fall out the backdoor.

By roland

I do not support Scientology, Mormons, nor any other of the many brainwashing cults. But we must attack them from the front with truth. NBCs crooked, back door approach is very unprofessional.
Liberal NBC has really gone to the dogs.

By d

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

It's a CULT NOT A REL. LIbs can't tell the difference. NOTHING IS A SIN IN LIB LAND EXCEPT CALLING AN EVIL AN EVIL. And just cause you tell the truth about homosexuals doesnt mean u hate them. Gays hate christians even though they are the perverted ones. Burn the bible, God calls you 'homosexual perverts.' Guess he hates you also according to you.

By tim

i dont care how big she is or will be .she is still a stunning woman. beautiful.

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Just one thing. Scientology is not a religion as referred to in some remarks. It is a cult.

By Scott

Love her. Love her. Love her. She's the b*llsiest, most honest personality in Hollywood, and people who don't like her either don't understand her or have no sense of humor. And I feel really sorry for people like that.

By D

gerry, whether it's against the law or not, people will still discriminate against you unless ur Catholic or a friggen so called Christian.I don't know why that group thinks they're so high and mighty anyway? I could care less what they practice.It's really noone's buisiness what spiritual path one chooses. It's a personal choice.

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