CALIFORNIA: A former top-ranking Scientology member Sam Domingo has spoken out against the controversial church, saying it is “using” Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman’s kids as its “poster children”. In an explosive new interview, Sam Domingo — who was married to Placido Domingo’s son — has lifted the lid on the controversial church. Domingo, who spent 22 years involved in the church, reportedly told that she became close to Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Jada Pinkett Smith (who has never officially confirmed she was ever involved in the organization).

Domingo told that publication she wanted to speak after seeing Cruise’s daughter Isabella, 26, being “used” as Scientology’s “poster girl”.  Earlier this year, Isabella was featured in a Scientology ad in London thanking the church and her famous father for finding a “missing piece” of herself. She said she had kept quiet out of “loyalty” to Cruise, but when they “started using Isabella, I feel sorry for that kid”.

Domingo, who said her own children played with Connor and Isabella Cruise at the church’s Los Angeles celebrity center, said things changed drastically when Cruise split with Nicole Kidman in 2001. She claims the Cruise children lived an isolated “boot camp” experience, away from the other kids, under the eye of the high-ranking Marty Rathbun (who has since left the church) as they were led into believing their mother should be excommunicated and regarded a “Suppressive Person”.

Domingo continued: “I know what techniques they used … I know what the second-in-command at the time Marty Rathbun did, he was so tough on them, and the Cruise kids had no choice. After the divorce, they were indoctrinated into Scientology and very much isolated.”Domingo claims that Cruise brought his three sisters and mother into the fold. “They were in it 100 per cent, there was no wavering,” she claimed.“You can’t be anti-Scientology if you’re part of Tom’s family, you will be disconnected — look at his daughter Suri.” A spokesman for the church has denied all of Domingo’s claims. (Agencies)