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It’s never too late! I am often guilty of thinking it’s too late to make significant changes in my life, so this post from Leah Remini was a welcome, joyous kick in the pants for me. It’s been 10 years since Leah broke from Scientology, and she did not go quietly. Through memoir, Emmy-winning television and even filing a missing persons report, Leah has forced a conversation on the cult that Hollywood has tried to pretend away. Then in fall 2021, for her own personal fulfillment, Leah enrolled at New York University (since higher education was not kosher to Dianetics). Now in a new post on Instagram, Leah is celebrating having completed two years at NYU:
Leah Remini is making up for lost time.
The Emmy winner, who famously exited the Church of Scientology in 2013, revealed last week on Instagram that she officially finished her second year at New York University.
“Two years ago, I had an 8th-grade education thanks to spending 35 years in a cult,” Remini wrote. “And now, at age 52, I’ve successfully finished my second year at NYU. Undertaking this educational journey has been one of the most difficult experiences of my life.”
The former “King of Queens” star previously told BuzzFeed her mother joined Scientology shortly before Remini’s 10th birthday. She said she received “barely any schooling” and endured constant physical labor with “heavy repercussions for refusing to work.”
The actor left the church at age 42 and went on to write the tell-all memoir “Troublemaker” in 2015, followed by an A&E documentary series about the church that earned her the first Emmy of her career.
“L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, had a deep disdain for conventional education and since everything in Scientology is guided directly by his principles, with no room for interpretation, my education was interrupted,” Remini tweeted last year.
Remini added it “took a lot” for her to apply to a conventional school after years of being told she wasn’t “smart” or “worthy enough” for an education outside the church. While she added “a very special person” gave her the final push, Remini is doing the rest.
“There have been days where I’ve thought about giving up,” she wrote in her post last week. “While I’m still not finished, I’m so glad I decided to dive in. If you have the desire and capacity, please remember that it’s never too late to start again.”
So I’m a nerd and looked up what Leah is studying at NYU as part of her associate’s program in liberal arts, and I can see why she chose this program. The overview says it teaches students “to write effectively and think analytically” and often acts as a gateway to a BA in Humanities or Social Sciences. While I don’t know if she has plans to pursue a BA, the focus on critical thinking and writing will serve Leah in whatever she wants to do (like taking down Scientology). It’s a smart foundation for someone who’s tackling college after having missed a good chunk of her education.
Then I fell down a rabbit hole of picking classes for me and classes for Leah (nerd here, remember?) and gosh, after decades in Hubbard-land I hope she’s taking Intro to Psychology or Intro to Sociology. I’m developing a fantasy of Leah preparing some kind of visual-media thesis project and screening it by booking every IMAX theater in North America the week a new Mission Impossible is out.
Team Leah!
I love her work to expose CoS.
Going back for my PhD at 43/44. It’s definitely never too late. But it’s scary.
Best of luck to you. I’m in awe of anybody who goes back to school after a long break.
Good luck! You got this!
That’s awesome! I’m sure it IS scary — but please know that you’re likely not the only student who will be grappling with similar fears, and your fellow students may turn out to be invaluable sources of support.
FWIW, I went to a very small PHD program at NYU. At times, I felt intimidated by the older students with their varied and extensive life experiences — only to find out that some of them felt intimidated by my seemingly rapid and direct path to similar goals. Within a few weeks, we grew to know and value our individual strengths collectively as we began to bond together as a more cohesive class. It’s all good! @Rapunzel, I’m wishing you well with your goals, and hope that you are applauding all of the many accomplishments that have led you to this point!
I’m writing my proposal as well, good luck Rapunzel!! For me it’s not much of a return though as I got my Master’s at 49 and my BA 2 years prior. Late bloomer.
@ Rapunzel, I am excited and elated that you are pursuing your PhD!! What a magical and magnificent time for you!! You will certainly achieve your goals and graduate!! Supporting you!!!
@ Blithe, what a fabulous experience!! It’s much easier in numbers when you have a support system at school!! Love it!!
Plus, when she took it further to expose JWs, too! 👍
I got my masters at 40. I follow Leah on Instagram and her work to expose the evils of Scientology is awe inspiring. Team Leah!
I feel like this post is a message from the universe! I’ve been considering going back to get my masters in psychology, but wasn’t sure I had the mettle to go back after so long and to start over/balance with work life.
Cheers to all the bad@$$ ladies who are doing the hard things and leading by example!
Good for her! Side note: I had no idea that NYU offered an associates program. I wonder if this means that she’ll be continuing on to her Bachelor’s there. Go, Leah!
Yes, Leah!!! I am so happy for her blossoming life after being in the disgusting Cult of Scientology. Each time she pops up in the news here, it is just more and more positive, and less and less about COS (though I’m glad she still calls them out consistently). She is out here living her life, growing and thriving.
She’s such an inspiration, esp to this 40yo single mom who is also currently back in college with all the other young’uns. It really is never too late to start again.
Well done @Dierski! Go get em!
@ Dierski, you got this!! It’s the passion and decision that are driving you and you will succeed!! Your child will come away with sheer admiration and the strength to know that we are never too old for anything!!
I just finished my second masters degree at 45 and it’s brutal later in life – you have work, kids, obligations beyond those of an 18 year old college kid. I think it’s amazing that she’s gone back to school after such a long break from education. And I do think the CoS should be investigated for interrupting children’s education that way.
Got my nursing degree/second career at 45. Go Leah!! Love her!
Kudos to Leah & commenters on this post! As someone who’s started all over again more than once, it’s never too late! For me, I completed a BA at age 31 and an MAIS at 48. A friend completed her BA at 41, while another started her PhD at 50. Life happens! There’s no ‘supposed to’ about any of this. As someone who started college right out of high school & completed a year plus before dropping out, then started all over again ten years later, I was nervous at first about could I still do this, could I do this while working (had to do that), and you know what? I could. Turns out, I was a more-focused student because I had lived a bit. I knew what life was going to be like for me if I didn’t do what I had always wanted to do. Did well in my chosen field, went to grad school, then failed at that. Then more life happened & I got side-tracked again. And started again. That was for the masters. Finally, everything kicked in & I gotta say, life is good! Pursue your dreams!
My mother got her PhD at 68 and it changed her life. She turns 80 this month and just finished her MBA. We are joking that she needs to go for a JD law degree next.
@OriginalMich, that’s fantastic about your mom! If you don’t mind my asking, where did she get her PhD from? It generally takes 4-7 years to earn a PhD so she must have started in her late 50s/early 60s–and I’d love to know about any institutions that accept older students for a doctoral degree. Thank you 🙂
I am awe inspired and incredibly delighted that so many of you have chosen to never stop pursuing your dreams no matter what life throws at you!!
You are all an inspiration to women everywhere that you can do it, just place one foot in front of the other and pick yourself back up when life enters to cause chaos!!
@ OriginalMich, your mom is such a badass!!! I am simply amazed that she has the drive, and the power, to keep pursuing her goals!!! I think that she would ace her JD!! Amazing!
Leah, I look up to you. Great announcement!
Me too!! Leah has suffered for so many years and has never given up or thrown her hands into the air and decided she just couldn’t come up against Scientology. Leah is a force to be reckoned with and reading how controlling CoS is, I am surprised that she didn’t come out as bitter, angry and resentful of anyone and everyone. Leah is just getting started!!
I’ve been thinking about going back for my master’s degree.
I have a BA in humanities but the bulk of my study was Sociology.
Maybe just take a class to see where I am at now since it has been *coughcoughcough* years since I graduated college. 😃
@Tiffany Says – I support you and everyone that decides to pursue a higher level of education. In the past, I’ve shared with “friends” that I wanted to get a master’s or event Ph.D. only to be told that at 58, you don’t need it for your career, so why bother?
This isn’t about my career; it’s about fulfilling a personal goal. Why do others not understand that some people want to pursue an education for the sake of the education and not a promotion at work?
Thank you Andrea. The career I am in will not require the higher education and my promotions have been fine with my bachelor’s.
I really want to see if I got the juice to do it.
@ Tiffany, this is excellent news!!! I can see wanting to dip your toes in before you jump in. Take your time in deciding as your answer will come to you for certain!
@ Andre, I am so saddened to hear of your friends trying to influence your decision. True friends will be there to support you in every step you take and cheer you on in the process!!! It’s never too late Sweetie as you have goals for YOU and no one else!!
Kismet, I am loving your inner self becoming self involved and dreaming of the classes that you and Leah should take!!! Your interjection is delightful and purely charming!!! Never give up the nerd in you no matter who or what anyone says!!!
Big thanks for your delightful post!!!
Leah Remini may be one of the bravest people around. I love that she didn’t slink away quietly from the “church” of scientology. She banged her drum loudly and made the world listen.
No surprise she’s now reclaiming the education denied her as a girl.
My 70-something paternal grandmother decided to finish up her Masters after her husband died, in between following the Watergate hearings. An undergrad at the time, I questioned why she would submit herself to the grind of reading assignments and research papers. I’m in striking distance of 70 myself now, and Grandma Ella’s return to the classroom sounds like a brilliant idea.
I’ve discovered that I am 10X the student I was a girl. Sliding into my early dotage, the local public library tells me I’ve “saved” over $12,000.00 by borrowing books since I moved into town seven years ago. (I’ll take that in a check, if you don’t mind.)
Leah, kudos to you. This world is a wild, strange, ever mysterious place. “The More You Know”
Love this!
Quitting Scientology gave her back both her brains and looks. Good on her!
She’s not well known here in the UK, but this is so inspiring to read about! I wish her all the best, she sounds like she is really working hard to take back her life, it’s beautiful to see.
KISMET!!!
This is just for you! It really is Never TOO Late! I opened up a Hospital in the Vegas area. There was a Nursing Graduation in the new Hospital’s auditorium that year. The Nurse who was considered the one with the highest GPA in all the “Grand Rounds” was a 50+ year old lady!
She began to cry and could Not believe what she had just accomplished!!!
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE
I’m 61 and am working on my Master’s in Education.
Ah – these comments are exactly what I needed today! I’m 41, with a demanding job, and two young daughters, and was just accepted to a competitive master’s program. I’m low key terrified about work-school-life-balance, feeling old among my peers, and returning to a classroom setting after a 19ish-year hiatus.
This story and everyone’s comments are so encouraging. We can do it, ladies.