Tom Cruise is undoubtedly the most famous celebrity Scientologist, and he’s followed close behind by John Travolta.

Should have bounced up and down on a couch if you wanted to be number one, JT.

There have long been rumours that the two aren’t the best of tjoms, but now a revealing interview by a former Scientologist who once acted as Tom Cruise’s personal security guard has spilled the beans.

Brendan Tighe alleges that Cruise and Travolta compete for the attention of Scientology chief David Miscavige, with these details below via the Daily Beast:

Tighe is the subject of an interview with Australian magazine New Idea in which he says, “Cruise is the only celeb with a direct line to Miscavige [below]. Travolta didn’t have that. Travolta doesn’t get anything free, no one is giving him absurd gifts like an airplane hangar, custom-made bikes, or over-the-top favors [sic].”

In 2008, when Cruise was awarded the Freedom Medal of Valor—given to Scientology’s most dedicated member—at a special gala in the U.K., Tighe told New Idea that Travolta, 64, “exploded with jealousy,” feeling that he had been “stripped” of his position of the church’s most important member…

Tighe, who claims to have signed one of Scientology’s notorious billion-year contracts at the age of 12, told New Idea: “It’s no secret that Cruise and Travolta despised each other. I can assure you Travolta doesn’t recognize Cruise as a superior in any way. When Cruise got that medal, Travolta was so pissed off.”

As news of the interview reached the church, they turned to discrediting Tighe, accusing him of being “an apostate who has a personal axe to grind”.

The 37-year-old’s mother is still a high-ranking Scientology staff member, and he was born into the religion, although he came to his senses back in 2011 and jumped ship.

I wonder if he ever watches the Scientology Channel for old time’s sake.

Oh, and as for those stories about the church finding Cruise a wife:

Tighe also addresses the rumors that the church “interviewed” potential new girlfriends for Cruise after he split with Nicole Kidman.

Candidates “had to be at the same point on the tone scale, which means at the same level of understanding. So they were looking at Hollywood stars… Who didn’t have a porn past? Who hadn’t done nude scenes in movies? Who hadn’t a major drug history? So many prospects had done something wrong, like sex movies that had been leaked; it was impossible to find someone qualified.”

Step up, Katie Holmes.

Well done on getting out of that cult, Brendan, although those recent Scientology doccies have shown that those who speak out after leaving are in for a healthy dose of character assassination and harassment.

[source:dailybeast]