Actress Leah Remini talks about her defection from the controversial faith of Scientology on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" Monday. Remini says she lost some valuable friends because of her life-changing decision.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Remini's guesting stint at "Ellen" was primarily to promote the new season of the show, "Dancing with the Stars," in which she is a participant. However, because of the TV star's controversial break from Scientology, TV host Ellen DeGeneres did not pass up the chance to ask Remini about her much-publicized defection.

On the "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," The "King of Queens" star says she was born and raised a Scientologist, but eventually realized that the religion wasn't for her. She disclosed, "My mother got involved when we were very young, so it's all we ever really knew; but over time, my eyes opened and I could just no longer be affiliated with the organization and my family felt the same, so we left."

DeGeneres asked Remini if she was doing okay after making the decision to leave, and Remini replied, "I'm okay; it's hard. We lost friends that can no longer talk to us who are still in the organization. These are friends that we've had for dozens of years," she confided to Ellen.

Remini's decision to defect stemmed from the fact that she had been chastised by the church for questioning the actions of its leaders. Remini reportedly had to be interrogated and had to undergo 'thought modification' because of a string of actions deemed to be disagreeable behavior by the church.

Firstly, she inquired about the whereabouts of Shelly Miscavige, the wife of high-ranking church leader David Miscavige, during the Tom Cruise-Katie Holmes wedding in 2006. Remini even filed a Missing Persons report for Mrs. Miscavige, but Police later closed the case when they were able to talk with the church leader's wife face to face. Another reason is Remini's disapproval of church policies that require members to alienate and 'disconnect' from family members who have left the church, and who are characterized as "suppressive persons."

Remini had earlier said in press interviews that, "No one is going to tell me how I need to think, no one is going to tell me who I can, and cannot, talk to," according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Church of Scientology was founded by popular Science Fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. The Church boasts of a glamorous roster of members, including Hollywood A-listers John Travolta and Tom Cruise.