Tom Cruise, Scientology: The Bad PR of Slave Labor Investigations
MADHOUSE: Clear Cruising
It’s been clear cruising for one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Tom Cruise, amid allegations that he’s used the labor of fellow lower-ranked Scientologists to further his lifestyle. Will the scandal affect the box office bankability of Tom Cruise?
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February 13, 2011
Clear Cruising
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Tom Cruise is in the news–and it has nothing to do with any movie part.
But speaking of movie roles, maybe Cruise will be on the lookout for a remake of Uncle Tom’s Cabin–with Cruise starring as Simon Legree.
A look at the movies of Tom Cruise.
According to Wikipedia, Legree was “A cruel slave owner—a Northerner by birth—whose name has become synonymous with greed. He is arguably the novel’s main antagonist. His goal is to demoralize Tom and break him of his religious faith; he eventually orders Tom whipped to death out of frustration for his slave’s unbreakable belief in God.”
The news is that Tom Cruise used lowly Scientologists for a variety of menial tasks at cut-rate wages.
‘Slave wage Scientologists made gifts for Tom Cruise’
Members of the Church of Scientology worked for $50 a week to customise motorcycles, a car and an airport hangar for Tom Cruise, according to new testimony from a disaffected member of the cult.
John Brousseau has told the New Yorker that he expended thousands of man hours so that his former brother-in-law, Scientology chief David Miscavige, could give the items to Cruise as gifts.
There’s more.
Report: Tom Cruise’s Custom Limo Built by Church of Scientology Laborers
According to RadarOnline.com, John Brosseau, a 30-year member of the church who has since resigned, claims he worked on two motorcycles, an airport hangar and the SUV for little Suri’s parents. During this time, Brosseau was being paid $50 a week and was “supposed to be working for the betterment of mankind.”
The actor’s former lackey was denounced by the church after he participated in a New Yorker feature giving insight into the secretive religion. Brosseau is now releasing the details of the work he did for the church and its celebrity icon. The disgruntled ex-Xenu worshipper claims to have spent “2000 man-hours” creating Tom’s pimped-out ride that was “like no other ever built.”
Of course, Hollywood could care less. In group of people who would rally for convicted child rapist Roman Polanski, what’ a little slave labor among friends?
Hollywood Doesn’t Care If Tom Cruise Makes Scientology Slaves Wash His Car
According to the piece, when one worker messed up a Cruise project, they were sent to a camp to do hard labor as punishment.
But it seems that either Cruise’s people have burned every L.A.-area copy of the magazine, or that Hollywood simply doesn’t care.
On the heels of the story’s release, Cruise is in final negotiations to play a lead role in the big-screen adaptation of Broadway hit “Rock of Ages.”
Film maker/screen writer Paul Haggis did denounce Cruise–but he seems to be one of the few Hollywood types who’ve turned on the star of “Risky Business.”
Haggis feels personal blow from attack on Scientology
Paul Haggis has made headlines around the world this week for denouncing the Church of Scientology, but the Oscar-winning director says he doesn’t think the comments will affect his career.
The Canadian filmmaker says he’s felt a personal blow since speaking out against the controversial church, which boasts several influential Hollywood devotees, including Tom Cruise and John Travolta.
Scientology has come under attack–both before and after the revelations about Tom Cruise.
Some lowdown on the “church” founded by science fiction writer, L. Ron Hubbard: A Few Things You Should Know About Scientology… and Inside Scientology.
The Scientologists are now reported to be under investigation for the Cruise incidents.
Scientology Under FBI Investigation For Work Done For Tom Cruise: Report
“According to a report in The New Yorker, the Church of Scientology is under investigation for human trafficking and using free labor — in part, to service the demands of its celebrity icon, Tom Cruise.”
MORE: Report: Feds probe Church of Scientology over work for Tom Cruise
So, it would seem that the Scientologists have some problems, one of which is public relations. What to do? It’s not sure what the solution to an FBI investigation is, but PR?
How about some commercials!
Religion: Church of Scientology attempts damage control with new ad
After taking a recent beating in the press the Church of Scientology is engaged in damage control. Trying to polish its tarnished image, the religion developed by L Ron Hubbard is giving a big push to a television commercial extolling the supposed virtues of Scientology.
The church is reeling from a recent profile of former member Paul Haggis. The profile is extensive and exhaustive, detailing Scientology crimes and misdemeanors, incriminating the secretive Sea Org, and making allegations of slave labor and human trafficking.
What will become of all this? Who knows?
But it’s suspected that Tom Cruise will continue to smile for the cameras, the directors will still come calling and low level Scientologists will continue to supply the fruits of their labor to enable the lifestyle of Thomas Cruise, movie star.
In other words: Clear Cruising.
image, links: Mark Dean
notes; Mondo Frazier
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