This new image of David Miscavige makes years of Scientology Watching all worth it

 
We want to thank a reader for sending us the latest Freewinds magazine, which contained the absolute gem you see here.

In the last couple of years, Scientology leader David Miscavige has been showing up more often in church publications looking like he’s sitting for a Vanity Fair photo spread. But this shot really takes the cake. It’s part of an issue of the magazine which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Sea Organization.

Yes, it was in 1967 that L. Ron Hubbard first assembled the force that would become the hardcore inner elite of Scientology, and to mark the occasion, Miscavige went down into the engine room of the Freewinds to pose for this hunky snap.

(We can practically hear all of those former Sea Org members who spent unhappy hours cleaning the Freewinds engine room as punishment throwing up a little in their mouths about now.)

And yes, note the wedding ring, prominently displayed, for his poor bride Shelly, who for 12 years he’s kept out of sight at a small Scientology compound in the mountains above Los Angeles.

Other crew members were similarly posed for dramatic shots. Doesn’t life at sea look fun?

 
Scientology may be shrinking, and its press never worse, but Dave still knows how to put together a slick magazine. And boy, was this worth the wait.

Here’s the full 2-page spread of Dave’s historic visit to the engine room…

 
(More photos from the issue appear below.)

 
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Kay Rowe’s book is for sale

 
Kay Rowe let us know her book about her 37 years in Scientology is now available for purchase at Amazon.

Here’s how she describes it…

In a billion years I never thought I’d get involved in a cult, let alone sign a billion year contract with one and stick with it for 37 years. The most oft questions I have been asked are “Why did you get involved in the first place?” and “What took you so long to finally get out?” I am confident that you will find the answers to both of these questions and many more in the pages within. This is not just my memoir, but a story that needs to be told of harsh abuse, medical neglect and voracious greed all under the banner of a religion which claims to be saving this planet and the universe. From my early days getting involved in Scientology in Santa Barbara to joining the elite Sea Organization and slaving for pennies a day, there are no stones left unturned. I was a pawn in the Church of Scientology’s money making machine and this is my story.

 
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Bonus items from our tipsters

 
We hope to get more dispatches from our various correspondents who will be keeping an eye on this weekend’s festivities. As always, we’ll be curious to know if Tom Cruise makes the IAS scene, and with his big medal.

Now, for more fun stuff that showed up in the most recent issue of Freewinds magazine. We were thrilled to see a photo of David Brier, and to learn that he has completed OT 8. Some of our oldtimers might remember David’s hilarious “Yo, Baby” routine in a video inviting Kansas City Scientologists to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Ideal Org for some kind of summit. What a card.

 
Here’s Brier doing his “Yo, Baby” routine, to remind you…

 
Hey, FBI, here’s a map, for Xenu’s sake. What more do you frickin’ need?

 
The magazine also featured some OT 8 poetry. We’re not kidding.

 
OK, now this last one is really bizarre, and we’re asking for your help. This photo of a woman swimming with dolphins was on a page in the magazine promoting all the fun you’ll have on the Freewinds. But it really gave us a start. We’re sure we must be wrong, but that sure looks like Michele Fiore to us. Can someone tell us whether Fiore has been swimming with dolphins lately, and whether she’s connected to Scientology in some way? We have serious doubts on that score, but still, it’s her spittin’ image.

 
UPDATE: Um, wow. Turns out we were right, and thanks to the quick work by one of our readers who found this item. That is a photo of Las Vegas city councilwoman Michele Fiore swimming with a dolphin. So now the question is, did Scientology simply rip off this photo for their spread on the fun times at the Freewinds, or was Fiore actually taking part in a Scientology outing? We’ve sent her office a message, hoping to find out.

 
UPDATE: Reports from our correspondents at the IAS annual gala are starting to come in…

 
Super shooper Mark!

 
“First mini bus has arrived and it’s empty.”

 
“This is Mike, head of security at St Hill. We’ve known him for 3 years and get on really well with him. He’s professional, a bit scary when he needs to be, and really good fun.”

 
“The first mini bus with real humans has just driven through the gates!”

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on October 6, 2017 at 07:00

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Our book, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2016 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2016), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…

BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists
GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice
SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts

Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | Scientology’s Private Dancer | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | Scientology boasts about assistance from Google | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Our Guide to Alex Gibney’s film ‘Going Clear,’ and our pages about its principal figures…
Jason Beghe | Tom DeVocht | Sara Goldberg | Paul Haggis | Mark “Marty” Rathbun | Mike Rinder | Spanky Taylor | Hana Whitfield