Church of Scientology ‘auditioned’ actresses as Cruise’s girlfriend

The Church of Scientology devised “a top-secret process” of auditioning actresses to play the real-life role of girlfriend for Tom Cruise, according to Vanity Fair.

In its upcoming October issue, Vanity Fair reports that in 2004 the Church of Scientology embarked on a mission to find Cruise a girlfriend

The actresses were reportedly told they were auditioning for a training film, and asked: “What do you think of Tom Cruise?”

The magazine’s Maureen Orth reports Iranian-born, London-raised actress Nazanin Boniadi, who is also a Scientologist, was selected from a group of Scientologist actresses to play the role.

Orth, who interviewed “several sources”, claims the arrangement was headed by Shelly Miscavige, the wife of Scientology chief David Miscavige.

Vanity Fair reports that, “in a month-long preparation”, Boniadi was “told to lose her braces, her red highlights and her boy-friend”. The actress even reportedly signed a confidentiality agreement and was told if she “messed up” she would be declared an enemy of Scientology, the magazine reports.

Then, in Nov 2004, she was flown to New York to meet Cruise. The pair had dinner at Nobu and went ice-skating at a rink that was closed to the public especially for them.

Vanity Fair says dozens of actresses auditioned for the role, and Hollywood stars such as Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, and Sofia Vergara were approached.

Vanity Fair says Cruise and Boniadi dated from Nov 2004 to Jan 2005, but despite changing her appearance, Boniadi was soon out of favour.

Vanity Fair reported that Cruise told Boniadi: “I’ve never felt this way before,” and his affection became “overwhelming” for the actress. However, Cruise eventually reportedly complained to Boniadi: “I get more love from an extra than from you.”

The magazine says that Cruise distanced himself from Boniadi, and left it for others to tell her they had split up.

According to several sources, the organisation had devised an elaborate auditioning process in which actresses, who were already Scientology members, were called in and told they were auditioning for a new training film. In this interview, they were then asked a series of questions, including details about their sex lives.

Cruise and actress Katie Holmes began dating in Apr 2005 and married in Nov 2006. Their divorce was finalised last month.

A spokesman for Cruise said: “Lies in a different font are still lies — designed to sell magazines.”

The Church of Scientology denied to the magazine that there was any such recruiting projects