Leah Remini has shared an emotional and heartfelt tribute to her “closest confidant” Mike Rinder, following his demise over the weekend.
“On Sunday, we misplaced a large, and I misplaced a person who was greater than a good friend – he was household,” she wrote about her good friend and co-worker, who had joined her on a multi-year, multi-platform endeavour to show alleged abuses by the Church of Scientology.
“It’s unattainable to think about the final 13 years of my life with out Mike Rinder,” Remini stated. “After I left Scientology, Mike was one of many first individuals I turned to.”
“Collectively, we launched into an unbelievable journey that included The Aftermath and our podcast, Truthful Recreation,” Remini continued. “However Mike was a lot greater than my accomplice on this struggle – he was my brother, my father, and my greatest good friend.”
Rinder and Remini teamed up after each leaving Scientology, collaborating on the A&E docuseries Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath and the podcast Truthful Recreation.
“Mike saved my life and the lifetime of my daughter and he stood by me via battles that felt insurmountable,” she wrote.
Leah Remini and Mike Rinder in a teaser for Season 2 of ‘Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.’.
A&E
“I haven’t come to phrases with the fact that I can’t name him and listen to his voice anymore. I’m shattered in methods I by no means thought potential. I’ve cried endlessly and may’t appear to maneuver from my mattress since coming house.”
Rinder’s spouse, Christie Collbran, introduced his demise on Sunday, Jan. 5, by way of Instagram. Rinder was 69, and whereas his reason for demise has not been confirmed, he had been identified with superior esophageal most cancers in 2023.
Earlier than Rinder left the Church of Scientology in 2007 and have become one of many loudest whistleblowers, pulling again the curtain on its interior workings, he served in numerous government roles throughout the church, together with the worldwide spokesperson, head of the Workplace of Particular Affairs and a member of the board of administrators of the Church of Scientology Worldwide.
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After leaving Scientology behind on the age of 52, he grew to become a critic of the group.
After Rinder launched his memoir, A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life within the Highest Ranks of Scientology, in 2022, the Church of Scientology hit again, denying all of the allegations he’s made over time.
Remini beforehand shared that she was in a position to spend a while with Rinder and his household over the Christmas holidays.
“Spreading slightly vacation cheer in Florida with my @rindermike and his lovely household,” she captioned a photograph of her and Rinder embracing in his mattress. “As a lot of you realize, Mike has been courageously battling most cancers, and your messages of affection actually elevate his spirits. Please hold Mike, Christie, and their two boys in your prayers. Encompass them with all of the love and energy they so deserve.”
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