Is Will Smith a Scientologist? Why fans keep asking this question
Will Smith is one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, but he has also made several headlines that have been controversial. Some people question, "Is Will Smith a Scientologist?" because of his connection to the Church of Scientology. He once said:
If I had to say what my religion is, I would take the Muhammad Ali quote. My religion is love. I believe in oneness.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Will Smith and Jada have publicly denied being Scientologists.
- The couple's former school, New Village Leadership Academy, used instructional materials from Scientology.
- Smith is a friend of actor Tom Cruise, a member of the Church of Scientology.
Profile summary
| Full name | Willard Carroll Smith II |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 25 September 1968 |
| Age | 54 years old (as of August 2025) |
| Zodiac sign | Libra |
| Place of birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
| Weight | 85 kilograms |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Mother | Caroline |
| Father | Willard Carroll Smith Sr. |
| Siblings | 3 |
| Marital status | Married |
| Wife | Jada Pinkett Smith |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Our Lady of Lourdes and Overbrook High School |
| Profession | Actor, rapper, and movie producer |
| Net worth | $350 million |
| Social media | InstagramFacebook |
Is Will Smith a Scientologist?
He has publicly stated and denied several times that he and Jada Pinkett Smith are not Scientologists. The debate on the Men in Black actor being a Scientologist is fueled by his past link to the church and his love for sci-fi films.
Will Smith again debunked the rumours during the Red Table Talk in October 2018, where he said:
Just to have it on record, just state historical rumours we've never been Scientologists.
Former Church of Scientology executive Mike Rinder also mentioned during an interview with The Daily Beast in March 2015 that Will is not a Scientologist.
Source: Original
The rumours began when he defended Tom Cruise's religion
Smith's friendship with Tom Cruise sparked speculation about his ties to Scientology. In a 2007 interview with Access Hollywood, he said:
I was introduced to [Scientology] through Tom, and I'm a student of world religion. I was raised in a Baptist household and went to a Catholic school, but the ideas of the Bible are 98 per cent the same as Scientology and 98 per cent the same as Buddhism or Hinduism.
He continued:
How are you gon' not know anything about Scientology and attack [Tom]? It's dangerous, and it's ignorant. How am I going to condemn someone for what they believe, and I believe God was born from a pregnant virgin?
The actor clarified that being friends with Cruise does not mean he is a Scientologist.
The Smiths gave donations to the Church of Scientology
Claims that Will Smith is a Scientologist were fueled by charitable donations he and his wife made to the church. Jada and Will's non-governmental organisation donated $122,500 to Scientology-affiliated groups in 2008, amid $1.3 million in donations to various organisations.
Tax records also revealed a $70,000 donation to Scientology in 2008. As The Guardian published, it also revealed a $1.2 million donation to their own school, New Village Leadership Academy, in 2011, which used Scientology's Study Technology.
Source: Getty Images
A former Scientologist claimed that Jada was a member
In 2017, former Scientologist Leah Remini claimed Jada was a “low-key” member of the Church of Scientology. She stated that she saw Jada at the Celebrity Centre playing a hide-and-seek game with Tom Cruise, which involves Scientology.
Jada reportedly clarified she had no interest in joining and was only learning about various religions. In an X thread in October 2017, Jada wrote:
I have studied Dianetics and appreciate the merits of Study Tech… but I am not a Scientologist.
The duo later settled their differences in 2018.
Source: Getty Images
Will and Jada ran a private school that used Scientology teachings
The couple’s private school, New Village Leadership Academy, opened in 2008 and faced allegations of promoting Scientology. This was because it used Scientology’s Study Technology.
Critics claimed the school indoctrinated students with Scientology teachings, despite the couple's denials. The curriculum of Will Smith's Scientology school incorporated L. Ron Hubbard's methods, and some staff members were Scientologists.
Former teachers alleged that Scientology practices, such as the three barriers philosophy, Tone Scale, and Debugging, were part of the curriculum. The school closed in 2013 amid ongoing controversy.
Jada's memoir points to her link with Scientology
Her memoir, Worthy, published in October 2023, shared her experience using Scientology's Study Tech for homeschooling. According to her, it helped her children achieve 100% proficiency.
She emphasised her lack of stigma around Scientology but denied being a member. Jada also attributed her father's recovery to a Scientology program, calling it a "miracle," as The Daily Mail published.
Source: Getty Images
Frequently asked questions
- Are Tom Cruise and Will Smith friends? The Fresh Prince and Tom Cruise have been friends since the early 2000s.
- Is Jaden Smith in Scientology? The Smiths have publicly denied their involvement with Scientology.
- Does Will Smith own a school? He once owned New Village Leadership Academy, which closed in 2013.
- What religion is Will Smith? Will Smith's religion is love, according to him.
Conclusion
Will Smith is not a Scientologist, though he might have had past links with the church. His family has always claimed not to be a part of it. They claim they only learned from and applied certain Scientology teachings when relevant.
READ MORE: Jada Pinkett Smith's net worth now: what makes her so wealthy?
As Briefly.co.za published, Jada Pinkett Smith is an American actress, singer and talk show host. She debuted her acting career in 1990 when she landed a guest star role in the TV series True Colours.
She ventured into film production and entrepreneurship, further cementing her name in the entertainment industry.
Source: Briefly News
