Leah Remini Breaks Silence About Leaving Scientology, Says "I Lost Friends"

Leah Remini is finally breaking her silence since her public departure from the Church of Scientology in July. On the season 11 premiere of Ellen on Monday, the new Dancing with the Stars season 17 castmate opened up to Ellen Degeneres in an interview that was both light hearted and somber.

The 43-year-old explained how she first got into the controversial church, saying, "My mother and I got involved when we were really young so it was all we really ever knew." However she went on to say that after her "eyes were then opened'" she could "no longer be affiliated" with the religion.

The interview oscillated between jokey and serious and at times Ellen poked fun at the dramatic situation. At one point, the former King of Queens star confessed that her family had suffered some major personal losses from the rift, "We've lost friends that can no longer talk to us who are still in the organization. These are friends that we've had for dozens of years.'

We are glad to see Leah be able to laugh through the pain and can't wait to see her bust a move this season on Dancing with the Stars, premiering Sept. 16, 2013.