Russell Brand rejected by the Church of Scientology because Tom Cruise 'thought he was too much of a troublemaker'

The actors appeared together in 2012 musical Rock of Ages

Russell Brand has been vocal about his devotion to the Hare Krishna movement. But it seems Indian spirituality isn’t the only aspect of religion he’s pursued in the past.

The comedian said that he once attempted to join the Church of Scientology via his Rock of Ages co-star Tom Cruise, but was rejected because he didn’t think Brand was serious enough.

“He was not interested,” Brand said during an audioBoom podcast.

listen to ‘E10 : Russell and Tom Cruise’ on audioBoom

“He couldn’t give a monkey’s about trying to sign me up. I was gutted. They thought I was a troublemaker probably. I’m p***ed off about that.”

And Cruise might have had a point. Brand, 39, credits the transcendental meditation technique he learned in 2009 with helping him overcome his addiction to alcohol and drugs – a way of life he would now be hard pressed to part with for a religion developed by a science fiction writer.

“It changes consciousness,” he said. “It’s really good if you’ve had addiction issues. It’s highly psychological, and very beautiful, and overwhelming, and real, and trippy!”