Leah Remini took to social media on Friday to share that she has completed her sophomore year as a student at New York University.
The 52-year-old actress – who has spoken out against the Church of Scientology – appeared online reminding fans that it’s “never too late to start over.”
She wrote in a tweet: “Two years ago I had an 8th grade education thanks to 35 years in a cult. Now I have successfully completed my second year at NYU.’
In a similar statement shared on Instagram, Leah continued, “Undertaking this educational journey has been one of the most difficult experiences of my life.”
She shared with her audience that “there were days when I thought about giving up.”
Moving on: Leah Remini took to social media on Friday to share that she has completed her sophomore year as a student at New York University
Message: Leah appeared online and reminded fans that it’s ‘never too late to start over’
“While I’m not done yet, I’m so glad I decided to dive in,” Leah said in the note.
Finally, she encouraged fans as she finished, “If you have the desire and the capacity, remember it’s never too late to start over.”
Accompanying the post, a screenshot of her statement typed in black font on a gray background, Leah wrote in the caption, “Thank you for all your love and support.”
The post received more than 100,000 likes from the star’s 3.6 million followers.
Remini was accepted into New York University at the age of 50 and she said that in her youth she had not believed that such a thing was possible for her.
Last year, she spoke about the path that led to her matriculation as a college student in later life.
She took to Instagram with a black and white photo of herself at age 16 and added a lengthy caption.
‘1. This photo was taken when I was 16. I was so proud of this portrait photo. I thought my side bangs made me look versatile and like a consummate actress. I was ready to take on the world. But at that point I had been living the life of an adult for years, even though I was a child,” she said.
Encouragingly, she wrote in a tweet, “Two years ago I had an 8th grade education thanks to 35 years in a cult. Now I have successfully completed my second year at NYU’
She continued, “2. Scientologists are taught that children are no different from adults.
“So from a very young age I was held accountable as an adult and regularly told that everything bad that happened in my life, even things I wasn’t responsible for, was my fault.”
She then revealed that she had no formal education of any kind because she had “worked for years so that I could support myself and my family.”
“Scientology was my life,” she wrote. “Our friends were mostly Scientologists, I met my agent through Scientologists, and I worked for an insurance company owned by Scientologists.”
The Second Act actress then took her followers through her audition processes early on in her career. She said she “auditioned for roles but was told repeatedly that my brash approach and thick Brooklyn accent wasn’t getting me anywhere anytime soon.”
“If you had told me then that I would be a NYU student at 51, I wouldn’t have believed it,” she wrote online.
“I had big dreams then, but looking back, they were rooted in my desire to survive…I couldn’t have imagined a world where I would be a university student at my age.”
“And the idea of me leaving Scientology and working to expose the abuses current and former members face was not a thought I could even conceive,” added Leah. “Only the darkest enemies of Scientology would think that way.”
Throwback photo: Leah opened up about growing up in Scientology and the expectations she experienced from a young age when she posted a throwback photo of herself at age 16
The King of Queens star’s academic updates come days after she spoke out on news of actor Danny Masterson’s rape conviction.
She posted a message on Instagram with the headline “Danny Masterson convicted of two counts of forced rape, faces 30 years in prison.”
In the caption, she wrote: “The convictions in the rape trial of famed Scientologist Danny Masterson are a breath of fresh air. The women who survived Danny Masterson’s predation are heroes.
“For years, they and their families have endured attacks and harassment from Scientology and Danny’s well-funded legal team. Nevertheless, they continued, determined to seek justice.
“While it is up to them to decide whether they are happy with this verdict, I am relieved that Danny Masterson is facing justice after more than 20 years of brutal sexual assault with no criminal consequences.”
She then sent her message to one of the That 70s Show actor survivors.
“To Chrissie Bixler, whose count ended in a hung jury: I know Danny raped you; I know Scientology tried to destroy you. However, this case would not have progressed and led to two convictions if it were not for you. I’m sorry you didn’t receive a guilty verdict on your charges; you’ve earned one. But please never forget that justice wouldn’t have been served if it weren’t for you,” she said.
“While Scientology and its leader, David Miscavige, were not formal defendants, they played a significant role in obstructing justice in this case and other sexual assault cases,” she added.
Response: The King of Queens star’s academic updates come days after she spoke out on news of actor Danny Masterson’s rape conviction
Past: Leah and Danny pictured in Los Angeles in 2009
The post caught the attention of more than 131,000 people who liked it so far.
Leah continued, “Scientology officials, civilian Scientologists and their proxies have conspired for decades to silence victims and intimidate witnesses. This case is just the beginning of our plan to hold them accountable.
“I only speak for myself in thanking LA Deputy DA Reinhold Mueller, LA Deputy DA Ariel Anson and their staff for their relentless pursuit of justice over the past six years. I want to thank Judge Charlaine Olmedo for her professionalism and for not allowing the antics of Scientology to interfere with this process.
“While I often make harsh statements against the LAPD, I would like to thank the LAPD detectives on this case. They also faced relentless harassment from Scientology and kept going. Finally, to the jury, thank you for seeing the truth. Thank you for not letting the hard facts get in the way of emotions.”
“Thank you for showing Scientologists (former and current) that justice is not only possible, but they should come to expect it. And thank you to all of you who supported the women who went to hell to fight for justice,” she ended the statement.