Scientology ‘spied on Nicole Kidman and tapped her phone’, new book by high-ranking officer claims

The controversial Church of Scientology spied on Nicole Kidman and tapped her phone in an attempt to break up her marriage to then-husband Tom Cruise, a senior church official claims in a new book.

According to the book “A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology,” Church leaders desperately tried to drive a wedge between the couple, fearing Kidman Cruise would withdraw from the controversial religious movement.

They did this because Cruise, who had long been a banner for the Church, began ignoring calls from Scientology head David Miscavige while the actor and Kidman were filming “Eyes Wide Shut” in London in 1997, former senior church official Mike Rinder writes in the book.

Miscavige distrusted the actor’s second wife for failing to express an eagerness for Scientology and was said to be terrified he would lose control of Cruise — so much so that he reportedly ordered Kidman’s phone tapping.

The head of the church is also said to have appointed Marty Rathbun, previously the second-highest official, to ease the split and monitor Cruise so that he would become “clear” about the importance of Scientology.

‘Rathburn cooperated’ [Hollywood lawyer] Bert Fields hires notorious PI Anthony Pellicano to spy on Nicole and tap her phone,” Riner says in his new book. Page six.

Pellicano spent more than 10 years in prison, serving a sentence for wiretapping, extortion and illegal possession of explosives and grenades.

Rinder claims that the tactics allegedly used by the church worked and that Cruise “was gradually pulled back into the world of Scientology.”

But this renewed commitment to the Church of Scientology “created a distance between him and Kidman” and eventually led to their divorce in 2001.

“When Tom and Nicole broke up, Miscavige was happy that Nicole’s ‘negative influence’ didn’t drag on Tom anymore,” Rinder writes. “Cruise then became more fervent in his vocal public support for Scientology and Miscavige.”

The church has denied tapping Kidman’s phone and accused Rinder of being an “inveterate liar.” MailOnline has reached out to representatives from Kidman, Cruise and the Church.

But Rathburn claimed in the 2015 film “Going Clear: Scientology And The Prison Of Belief” that he was hired by Rathburn to “facilitate the rift between Kidman and Cruise because he was suspicious of the actress.

Rinder also claims that Rathburn pitted Cruise and Kidman’s two adopted children, Isabella and Connor, against the actress by immersing them in Scientology.

According to a number of former members, who say these individuals are called oppressors, Scientologists are prohibited from having close or meaningful relationships with people outside the faith.

This meant that Kidman had to watch from afar as her children grew into adults, even missing her daughter’s wedding in 2015, despite being in London on the West End when her daughter got married in the city.

The Australian actress adopted Connor and Isabella with Tom when they were married, and the couple split in 2001.

She told earlier Who.com.au: “They made the choice to become a Scientologist. Our job as parents is to always offer unconditional love.”

Kidman’s relationship with her children was said to have been so strained that she was rumored to have been banned from son Connor’s marriage to fiancé Silvia.

Meanwhile, Kidman is rumored to blame Scientology for ruining her marriage and separating her from Connor and Isabella.

In her book Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, ex-Scientology member Leah Remini claimed that Nicole was labeled an “oppressive person” or “SP” by the church after she left.

Tom Cruise ‘built a soccer field to coax David Beckham to Church of Scientology headquarters’

By Kate Dennett for MailOnline

Tom Cruise is said to have built a soccer field on the grounds of the Church of Scientology headquarters in an attempt to persuade David Beckham to visit him.

The Hollywood star, 60, was reportedly keen to introduce familiar faces to the practice, including former football player David, 47, and his wife Victoria, according to Page six.

It was alleged that a “professional” soccer field would be built at Gold Base’s California headquarters to give Tom a reason to visit David. Reportedly, however, the trip never took place.

The publication claimed that Mike Rinder – a former senior officer in the church – detailed the reported construction in his new book, A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology.

‘[Tom] tried his best to court celebrities other than those he worked with on films, perhaps the most famous being David and Victoria Beckham,” he reportedly said.

“A professional football field was built on the Gold site, the ground was leveled, irrigation installed, perfect turf, goals raised.”

“It was built for one purpose only: so that Tom Cruise could persuade his friend David to come to Gold – it never happened,” he added.

However, a Church of Scientology spokesperson allegedly branded the author as an “inveterate liar” who “intimidates” the organization.

A spokesperson told Page Six: “Mike Rinder is an inveterate liar who tries to take advantage of his dishonesty.

“He supports himself by orchestrating the intimidation of his former church and its leader through false police reports, inflammatory propaganda and fraudulent media stories.”

MailOnline has reached out to the Church of Scientology and Tom and David’s representatives for comment.

Mike served as an international spokesperson for Scientology and chief of the Bureau of Special Affairs, but left the organization in 2007 when he was 52.

A member of the Church since 1990, Tom is known for his close friendship with current Scientology leader David Miscavige.

In 2019, it was reported that Tom is considered a “deity” within the Church of Scientology and lower-ranking members are reportedly encouraged to see the actor’s films multiple times, according to a previous Scientologist.

Leah Remini, who was a Scientologist until 2013, said the Mission: Impossible actor, 56, is like a god to members of the Church.

It has also been reported that lower-ranking Scientologists are being told by their leaders to see his films, with thousands of tickets apparently purchased for his Mission: Impossible and Jack Reacher franchises to boost the actor’s box office.

Tom’s two children, Connor and Isabella, whom he adopted with Nicole Kidman, are also said to be Scientologists. Tom and Nicole divorced in 2001 after 11 years of marriage.

Nicole previously told Vogue magazine in 2013 that she had “chosen not to speak publicly about Scientology.”

“I have two children who are Scientologists – Connor and Isabella – and I fully respect their beliefs,” she added.