Singer and public figure Joy Villa has publicly announced that she has left the Church of Scientology, claiming that her time with the organization drained her financially and emotionally.
Known for her bold red carpet fashion statements supporting Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, Villa described her departure as a necessary step to reclaim her life and faith.
The Church, however, disputes her account, framing her exit as a misguided attempt to profit from her past association with the organization.
The Price of Fame Behind Closed Doors
Villa, 39, from Orange County, California, says her experience in Scientology cost her “nearly two million dollars” and left her feeling exploited despite outward appearances of success.
In an essay for Evie magazine titled Why I Left Scientology, she revealed that while she appeared to be thriving in public, the reality behind the scenes was far from it.
“From the outside, my life inside Scientology looked like a success story,” she wrote.
“Inside, it was slowly destroying me. I had given my time, my labor, my voice, my platform, and my influence.”
Life at the Celebrity Centre
Villa described years spent living at the Hollywood Celebrity Centre, training at high levels within Scientology, and becoming one of the church’s most visible “success stories.”
Posters of her face decorated Scientology centers as proof of the system’s effectiveness, while her own achievements were publicly celebrated as the church’s triumph.
“I reached career heights most artists only dream of,” Villa said.
“I walked the Grammy Awards red carpet multiple times, had Billboard number-one hits, appeared on countless news outlets. I was visible, successful, and influential.
And Scientology took credit for all of it.”
Faith, Control, and the Cost of Obedience
Raised Christian and with a love for Jesus, Villa said she was told by Scientology that she could maintain her faith while remaining in the church.
But she argued that her successes were consistently framed as results of auditing, donations, and loyalty rather than talent or perseverance.
“My success became propaganda. My life became marketing.
What no one saw was the cost. Scientology is not a self-help system.
It’s a control system,” Villa wrote, criticizing practices like auditing and the suppression of independent thought.
A Turning Point Abroad
Villa recounted a particularly troubling experience in the UK that left her “deeply depressed,” prompting her decision to leave.
She emphasized that while leaving came at a personal cost, it restored her freedom, faith, and sense of self.
“Leaving cost me years I will never get back,” she said.
“But it gave me something infinitely more valuable. My soul. My faith.
My freedom in Jesus Christ. And I will never go back.”
Scientology Pushes Back
The Church of Scientology responded to Villa’s statements with a sharply contrasting narrative.
According to the church, Villa initially came to them seeking help for “profound personal difficulties” and received counseling and support.
The statement further suggested that Villa’s public exit was motivated by personal gain rather than principle.
“She now seeks to exploit those who supported her during her darkest moments in hopes of making a buck,” the church said. “How un-Christian.
We urge Ms. Villa to move forward with her life and cease these false claims.”
Looking Ahead
Villa’s public break from Scientology places her among other celebrities who have left the organization, including Leah Remini and Paul Haggis.
While her statements paint a picture of financial and emotional exploitation, the Church insists the story is more complicated.
For Villa, the split marks a turning point: a reclamation of faith, autonomy, and the ability to chart her own path without institutional oversight.
Whether her revelations will inspire broader scrutiny of Scientology remains to be seen.
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