Leah Remini has addressed Kirstie Alley’s death for the first time after the duo’s years-long feud over Scientology.
“The news of Kirstie Alley’s passing is very sad,” the “King of Queens” alum told Rolling Stone on Tuesday, one day after the “Cheers” star died at age 71.
“Although Scientologists don’t believe in prayers, my prayers do go out to her two children, who are now without their mom,” Remini, 52, continued of Alley’s 30-year-old son, William “True,” and 28-year-old daughter, Lillie.
“I hope they can, one day, free themselves of this dangerous and toxic organization,” she added.
The siblings broke the news of their mom’s death on Monday with a lengthy social media statement, saying she lost her battle with “recently discovered” cancer.
The following day, Alley’s rep confirmed that the “It Takes Two” star had been diagnosed with colon cancer.
Remini mentioned Alley’s cause of death to the magazine while speculating whether the Scientologist had received treatment for the disease.
“While it has been reported that Kirstie sought conventional cancer treatment, which gave her a fighting chance, the majority of Scientologists do not seek treatment until it’s too late,” Remini told Rolling Stone.
“Scientologists are convinced they can cure themselves of diseases like cancer,” the “Kevin Can Wait” alum continued.
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“It’s one of the more sinister things they promise. And because Scientology claims to be an exact science, not a faith, its members are brainwashed into believing these false claims as guarantees.”
Remini left Scientology in 2013 after growing up in the religion.
Alley, for her part, joined the church in 1979. She and Remini clashed many times in the years after the Emmy winner’s departure.
In November 2015, Remini told Howard Stern that Alley “couldn’t talk” to her if they crossed paths because she had been “shunned.”
Alley spoke to the radio personality the following month about how “very critical” Remini was of the organization.
“If a lot of people are rejecting you, at some point you gotta ask, ‘What am I doing?’” she continued in the interview. “I mean, that’s what I would have asked myself.”
