Leah Remini Reacts to Kirstie Alley’s Death Following Years-Long Scientology Feud

Leah Remini is breaking her silence on Kirstie Alley‘s death.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Kirstie had passed away at the age of 71 following a battle with cancer.

If you didn’t know, the 52-year-old King of Queens actress and Kirstie were embroiled in a very public feud after Leah left the Church of Scientology.

In a new interview published on Wednesday (December 7), Leah reacted to Kirstie‘s death.

“The news of Kirstie Alley’s passing is very sad,” Leah told Rolling Stone.

Leah went on to say that she’s thinking about Kirstie‘s kids – William True and Lillie, whom she shared with ex-husband Parker Stevenson — who are both Scientologists.

“Although Scientologists don’t believe in prayers, my prayers do go out to her two children, who are now without their mom,” Leah added. “I hope they can, one day, free themselves of this dangerous and toxic organization.”

Leah and Kirstie were involved in a very public feud after Leah left Scientology in 2013, but Kirstie remained a devoted follower until her death.

Over the years, Leah has been very outspoken about her time with the Church of Scientology. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Leah said that she had “lost friends” because of her exit, referencing how Scientologists reportedly practice “disconnection,” where current members aren’t permitted with speak with people who have left.

In December 2013 during an interview with Howard Stern, Kirstie slammed Leah as a “bigot” for her comments, claiming that “disconnection” is not practiced within the church.

“First of all, I just want to everyone to know I have hundreds of friends and people that I know that have come into Scientology and left Scientology,” Kirstie said at the time. “It is not true that you cannot [leave] … You’re not shunned, you’re not chased. All that stuff’s bulls–t.”

Kirstie went on to say that she had not seen Leah in nearly a decade because of their busy schedules.

“The truth is, I don’t think I’ve seen Leah for seven or eight years, not for any reason other than I’m acting, and she’s acting,” Kirstie claimed. “I didn’t care if she was in or out.”

Two years later in November 2015, Leah appeared on Howard‘s show where she said she “understood” Kirstie‘s position.

“I know the policy,” Leah said. “I know why she thinks she’s angry with me, and I know, again, hiding behind that veil is something that is per policy. They see me as an enemy.”

If you missed it, another star that Kirstie publicly feuded with also recently reacted to her passing.