Singer Joy Villa has publicly detailed her departure from the Church of Scientology, ending a 15-year membership that she described in a recent essay as both transformative and ultimately detrimental. Villa, known for her outspoken political statements, including her controversial “Make America Great Again” dress at the 2017 Grammy Awards, reflected on her experiences in a piece published on January 5, 2024, by Evie.
In her essay, Villa highlighted the accolades she achieved while in the organization, stating, “During my years inside Scientology, I reached career heights most artists only dream of.” She noted her multiple appearances on the Grammy Awards red carpet, Billboard chart successes, and widespread media coverage. Yet, she expressed disillusionment with the Church, claiming that her accomplishments were attributed to the organization rather than her own talent or hard work. “My success became propaganda,” she wrote, emphasizing the emotional toll of her experience.
By the time she chose to leave, Villa reported that she had donated nearly $2 million to the Church and used her platform to promote its messages. “When I left physically, I still had not left spiritually. But distance saved my life,” she stated. Returning to the United States, Villa described a profound change in her life, stating, “For the first time in years, I was not being monitored. Not audited. Not evaluated.” This newfound freedom led her to reconnect with her faith, which she felt had been compromised during her time with Scientology.
Villa recounted a moment of clarity when she prayed for guidance about returning to the Church. “He answered me with unmistakable clarity,” she wrote. “Leave Scientology. No confusion. No fear. No bargaining. Just truth.”
In response to Villa’s revelations, the Church of Scientology issued a statement through Us Weekly, asserting that she had initially sought support during a difficult period in her life. The statement claimed, “When Ms. Villa came to the Church, she was grappling with profound personal difficulties. She was given counseling and community support to rebuild her troubled life.” The Church criticized Villa’s comments as an attempt to exploit her past for financial gain, stating, “How un-Christian.”
The Church of Scientology emphasized its commitment to helping individuals achieve spiritual growth, highlighting its various initiatives, including the Scientology Volunteer Ministers and community outreach programs. They invited the public to learn more about their work at their official website.
Joy Villa’s experience is not unique among celebrities. Leah Remini, a former member of the Church, left in 2013 and has since become a vocal critic, detailing her experiences in her memoir, “Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology,” and an Emmy-winning docuseries. The Church of Scientology responded to Remini’s departure by claiming she was expelled due to “repeated ethical lapses.”
Before concluding her essay, Villa offered encouragement to those who may be questioning their own involvement with the Church. “You are not weak. You are not broken. You are waking up,” she wrote. She described her departure as a painful yet essential journey that ultimately restored her faith and sense of self. “Leaving cost me years I will never get back. But it gave me something infinitely more valuable. My soul. My faith. My freedom in Jesus Christ. And I will never go back.”
