Michael Peña on how Scientology helped him become a better actor
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Michael Peña opened up about practicing Scientology in a new interview.
The actor told The Guardian that he began practicing the controversial religion in 2000 after falling on hard times.
"I wasn’t an alcoholic, but I was doing it too much," he said. "And then there was the next thing, and the next thing. For me, it isn't religion like a belief; it's practical things you do."
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Peña then began Scientology's detox prgoram called Purification Rundown. Next, he joined the Study Tech program to help him improve his reading which he said helped him with movie scripts.
"[It] made me a better actor," he claimed. "because I felt like it helped my understanding of scripts."
The "Gracepoint" star said he is fully aware of the controversy surrounding Scientology but he doesn't listen to the criticism.
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"But I don’t read that stuff," he said. "OK, imagine we’re friends, you and me. Buddies. And there’s a tabloid story about you. There’s no way I’m going to read some --king tabloid story about you. Especially when I know it’s misinformed."
Peña is one of many Hollywood stars who is a member of the Church of Scientology. Other members include Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Kirstie Alley and Laura Prepon.
He blames stars who left the church -- Lea Remini, director Paul Haggis and most recently Jason Lee -- for the "misinformed" stories about Scientology.