If you go to the Super Bowl tomorrow in Los Angeles, you might run into Scientologists handing out copies of The Way to Happiness and pamphlets from Drug Free World. And if you’re lucky, the person who hands you that DFW literature is a music hustler by the name of Wicked Witch.
One of our researchers noticed that Mr. Witch, a hip hop artist in Los Angeles, was featuring his involvement with Scientology in an unusually visual way at his Instagram page.
A week ago, Wicked Witch put up a video he shot outside Scientology’s Celebrity Centre, and urged others looking to be with a megastar like him to come on down to the Scientology facility.
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This got us pretty excited. We have a long history with Scientology hip-hop, and if the church is grooming a new superstar to replace Chill EB, we want to know about it!
We did a quick search and learned that Tristan Purcell is originally from Brooklyn (his family is Trinidadian) and he was previously known as “Da Marvelous Prince” before he adopted the name Wicked Witch.
In 2020, he put out an anti-drug song, “Molly,” that had a wild video. We completely dig it. Check it out.
We had to know, was he, like Chill EB, recruited to do anti-drug music for Scientology, and was “Molly” produced by the church? We messaged him and arranged for a quick phone call. It was a pleasure to talk with him.
He said he’d been out in Los Angeles for a couple of years working on his music, and that yes, he’d changed his name after he got involved with the hard rock crowd. He was at an Ozzy Osbourne show when the Black Sabbath singer “pulled out a water hose and sprayed me down. And that’s when everything came into play,” Witch says. “I started changing right after that moment.”
Oh, we see. Sprayed with water just like the witch in the movie. He then got to meet Alice Cooper at the Grammy lounge, where Wicked Witch was performing. “I got a chance to mingle with him. He was telling me about the game. He’s an excellent person. Alice Cooper really showed me the love.”
And how did he get into Scientology?
“It just happened. I’m one of those dudes, go with the flow kind of thing. Where I am, that’s where I meet the beat.”
Is Scientology helping him with his career?
“Right now I’m just working on my music and I’m giving back to the community. One thing they’re doing is Drug Free World. I’ve been out there on the streets, I’ve been all over, pushing out that bright message. For the kids. I’m in the process of doing The Way to Happiness.”
And has he seen any of Scientology’s celebrities at the Celebrity Centre?
“All the time. They’re great people. I meet a lot of great people there. We talk about music and up-and-coming projects we’re going to work on. They’re just letting me know great things about life. Everything is really positive coming from them.”
Has he run into Scientology celebrities we might know?
“I’m just focused on myself. I see people, but I stay focused on what I do.” He said he didn’t know who Kuba Ka was, and he’d never heard of Chill EB.
Wicked Witch said that the song “Molly” was his own idea and that Scientology wasn’t involved. “What I’m saying there, I have these adults in there, this is what you really want to do? You can die if you do it.”
We asked him if people going to the Super Bowl on Sunday might see him, and he responded that “everyone is going to see me.” And we don’t doubt that he’s about out blow up like the megastar he says he is.
“I’m just who I am, the Wicked Witch.”
He certainly is. On Thursday, the witch took part in some kind of pre-game publicity event along with some other Drug Free World volunteers, and posed with former ESPN analyst Kenny Mayne and quarterback Kurt Warner in photos.
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Jon Atack and Jeffrey Augustine
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Derek Lambert and Karen de la Carriere
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“I have a bit of a news bulletin, has nothing to do with the mental health empire that Mr. Kennedy is trying to create in the United States at 1.6 billion dollars, that isn’t news. The Federal government, of course, always has wanted the right to incarcerate any citizen for-without trial, and of course, immediately they get their Legislation passed, why, they’ll be able to do that. In other words, they’ll be able to incarcerate any citizen without commission-permission from his family, without a medical consultation and without a trial, and will be able to move him at any time without the consultation with the family or a hearing or a trial, and do anything to him they wish, such as electric shocks and prefrontal lobotomies. And of course that makes a very interesting political empire, and Mr. Kennedy is trying to create just that empire right this minute. So I think that’s very interesting.” — L. Ron Hubbard, February 12, 1963
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“D/G US Bob Thomas informs us Org personnel are safe and secure in the California Earthquake. We telexed back expressing our concern and appreciation.” — The Commodore, February 12, 1971
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“In the free field, are young Auditors being made? The scenario that I can see (and I hope I will be very wrong) is people in their 50s, 60s, or 70s training in some Freezone Orgs in the world, but I can not see young ones. I’m worried — is there going to be a new generation of Auditors at all? I´m not personally in the KSW protector position frankly, and I have always said that for me some things LRH discovered are just nonsense. But I have also said always that 80 or 85 percent of basic Scientology Technology is pure gold, so IMHO it needs to be passed to the next generation. I’m Grad V Auditor with four internships fully done and I have 39 years in; I’m single and looking for a girlfriend that has Auditor training (this last is a joke, bear with me). Do you know some specific things being done in this particular area, young Auditors in training anywhere in the world? Any of you know Auditors in their 20s or 30s?”
2000: From Variety: “The most intriguing aspect of the toy line based on summer sci-fi epic ‘Battlefield Earth’ may not be the ‘Ratbastard’-spouting John Travolta doll. It could just be the millions of dollars the Church of Scientology stands to earn from the playthings. Though the church did not participate in the making of the Warner Bros./Franchise Pictures project, it was included in the merchandising agreement, according to Scientology spokesman Mike Rinder. Any deal for merchandising automatically includes Author Services, the agency that handles all of the works of late writer and Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. The toy assembly includes Strike Jets, Psychoblasters and Thunder Battletanks alongside 11-inch figures of Travolta as Terl, the villainous warlord. The Terl doll borrows Travolta voice snippets from the film, including these lines: ‘Exterminate all man animals at will,’ ‘You wouldn’t last one day at the Academy,’ ‘Man is an endangered species’ and ‘Ratbastard.’ Trendmasters, the company responsible for the line of toys, says these types of movie-driven toys can earn as much as $50 million in sales. Exactly how much will the Church of Scientology recoup from the toys? No one seems to know.”
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“If only we could take a ride in Mr. Peabody’s Wayback Machine to pre-1970 and that magical time before the 100 percent scientifically correct TECH turned into incomprehensible DRECK. The gods are cruel.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next pretrial conference May 31. Trial scheduled for August 29.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Last hearing was on January 18, referred to grand jury.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Hanan and Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference March 25 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for April 8.
— Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.
— Yanti Mike Greene, Scientology private eye accused of contempt of court: Next hearing February 15.
Civil litigation:
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Eleventh Circuit affirmed ruling granting Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Garcias considering next move.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ US Supreme Court denied Valerie’s petition Oct 4.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Scientology has said it will file an anti-SLAPP motion.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for June 28.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: Trial concluded, Cannane victorious, awarded court costs. Appeal hearing held Aug 23-27. Awaiting a ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] Danny Masterson accusers signal they’ll go to higher court to fight ‘religious arbitration’
[TWO years ago] The skateboard hero & the anti-Semite: Insider report from Scientology’s bizarre celeb event
[THREE years ago] ‘Scientology and the Aftermath’ shelved two episodes, delayed one in season three
[FOUR years ago] How Scientology gamed Google to increase the effectiveness of its Super Bowl ad
[FIVE years ago] Welcome to your Scientology nightmare, people of Clearwater, Florida
[SIX years ago] SCIENTOLOGY’S SPACE MAN: The newest defector from church management opens up
[SEVEN years ago] Fact-checking Danny Masterson’s remarkable Paper interview about Scientology
[EIGHT years ago] This is Scientology today: Oregon 10-year-old celebrated for donating $100,000
[NINE years ago] Scientology Does Star Wars: That’s No Moon, It’s a Fundraiser!
[TEN years ago] Scientology Sunday Funnies: Fresh Meat in the Windy City!
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,573 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,078 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,598 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,618 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,509 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,816 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,684 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,458 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,789 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,262 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,578 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,144 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,063 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,231 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,812 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,073 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,109 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,824 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,349 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 704 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,879 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,430 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,579 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,899 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,754 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,873 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,229 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,532 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,638 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,036 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,912 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,495 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 2,990 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,244 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,353 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on February 12, 2022 at 07:00
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Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, 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, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | 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 | Shelly Miscavige, 15 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 | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
