Inside RHONY star Rebecca Minkoff’s dark family history in Scientology as Bravo fans blast ‘weird’ designer
As a neutral observer, I must admit that the lives and beliefs of public figures like Rebecca Minkoff have always been intriguing. In this case, we see a woman who seems to straddle two distinct worlds: Judaism and Scientology. Her unique upbringing has shaped her into an individual who doesn’t shy away from embracing diverse spiritual paths, seeking solace where she finds it.
On the surface, the latest addition to “The Real Housewives of New York City,” Rebecca Minkoff, manages to steer clear of the usual dramatic scenes on the reality TV series. However, a peek into her life beyond the camera reveals anything but an ordinary existence.
Known fashion designer, aged 43, belongs to one of Scientology’s influential and contentious dynasties and practices the faith personally as well.
As a devoted follower, I, alongside my entrepreneurial brother Uri Minkoff, our esteemed father Dr. David Minkoff, and mother Sue, have generously contributed millions to the church. Our dedication has even earned us the prestigious title of ‘Diamond Meritorious’ for surpassing $5 million in donations, as reported by the anti-Scientology blog The Underground Bunker.
In the 90s, Dr. Minkoff, who is known as a fashion icon’s father, was embroiled in a lawsuit concerning a wrongful death that threatened to revoke the church’s tax-free status. More recently, he has been implicated in a medical negligence case following the demise of a prominent Scientologist named Whitney Mills.
The mother of four was additionally acquainted with the actor Danny Masterson, who is now incarcerated for 30 years due to rape convictions.
2015 photos of Minkoff, grinning broadly, posing alongside the now-controversial sitcom actor at an event for her clothing brand, remain visible on her public Facebook account.
The Bravo celebrity has managed not to discuss her religious beliefs, either on the popular Bravo show or in numerous interviews with the press.
In a recent Real Housewives of New York City episode, she found herself in an uncomfortable situation when her co-star Brynne Whitfield asked questions about Scientology, but she tactfully evaded the topic.
‘If people ask us about the Scientology sh** what do you want us to say?’ Whitfield said.
In response, Minkoff remained silent on the matter. However, if you find yourself at a loss for words and need guidance, feel free to approach me.
In response, I acknowledged, “I understand your saying ‘no comment,’ but it seems a bit challenging in my line of work as a publicist. And so is she.
Whitfield pointed to co-star Jessel Taank, who was with them at the time.
‘I just tell people, “If you’re curious, read a book,”‘ Minkoff shot back. ‘That’s it.’
She went on to say, “We are globally acknowledged as a religion. Nothing about us is mysterious or unusual, if you catch my drift?
Later on, Whitfield expressed in a private conversation, “Over the weekend, numerous articles emerged suggesting that Rebecca is part of Scientology, leaving us with more questions than answers.
I mentioned, ‘The interaction I’m having feels remarkably similar to chatting with ChatGPT. To be clear, this isn’t the ideal moment nor setting for such a discussion, but it seems like I’m engaging in a dialogue with a door-to-door salesman, or perhaps someone trying to peddle snake oil. Confidentially, it’s rather unusual.’
Viewers have expressed frustration as they feel curious to learn more about Minkoff’s views on Scientology, a subject she is well-known for, as one wrote, “It’s puzzling why she doesn’t discuss her experiences with Scientology.
Another wrote, ‘Really need the girls to keep pressing Rebecca about Scientology. [I don’t give a f**k] about whatever else she got to say.’
A third person commented, ‘I want her to question Rebecca Minkoff further about Scientology. She won’t appear on this program and should simply provide no response.’
One person commented, ‘What’s Rebecca Minkoff doing here? She rarely talks, but when she does, it comes across as strange.’
As a connoisseur of life’s finer details, I was raised within the community of Scientology, which has undeniably shaped my perspective. It was none other than fellow Scientologist and luminary, Jenna Elfman, who ignited the flame for my self-named brand, propelling it into the limelight.
As a committed follower, according to my understanding based on Airmail’s reference to “The Truth About Scientology,” I have been consistently investing substantial sums in Scientology courses since 1991. In the year 2021, I reached the milestone of ‘OT I (Operating Thetan level 1)’, a state, as per the church’s description, that signifies a divine or godly condition.
In a shocking turn of events, Dr. David Minkoff, Whitney Mills’ father, has been implicated in a high-profile wrongful death lawsuit associated with the church, stemming from Whitney’s unfortunate suicide.
Mill, who was deeply involved in Scientology, faced challenges with her mental wellbeing prior to her passing in 2022.
A lawsuit filed by her family alleges that Mills was ‘brainwashed’ by Scientology into believing that therapy and medical treatment like antidepressants were ‘unnecessary and abhorrent.’
The Church of Scientology generally disagrees with many contemporary psychiatric practices, including the field of psychiatry and the use of psychiatric medications.
Dr. Minkoff is a specialist in holistic or alternative medicine, having established The Lifeworks Wellness Center, known as one of the country’s leading centers for natural and complementary healing practices.
The lawsuit further alleges that Dr. Minkoff erroneously diagnosed Mills with Lyme disease and a malignant ovarian cyst, providing incorrect information, and additionally charged her $20,000 for treatments unrelated to her mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression.
The document states that whatever was imposed on Mills by these Defendants fell beyond the scope of mental health care, and nothing they did succeeded.
“She was completely out of ideas. Unable to get the right assistance, she believed she had no other option left.
On May 12, 2022, as reported by Inside Edition, Mills tried to light herself on fire and then shot herself.
The church has denied Mills was ever under its care and stated it does not provide medical advice.
In response to queries from DailyMail.com, The Church of Scientology characterized Mills’ demise as a tragic occurrence. They further stated that the claims made in the complaint are groundless. The accusations within the complaint conflict with the evidence found in publicly accessible records.
In addition, Dr. Minkoff expressed his stance, stating to DailyMail.com that both he and his Lifeworks Wellness Center support the healthcare and treatment provided by their skilled medical team to their previous patient, Miss Whitney Mills.
LifeWorks and Dr. Minkoff refute the unfounded, exaggerated, and misleading allegations presented in the lawsuit brought forth by the estate of Ms. Mills against LifeWorks, Dr. Minkoff, and others concerning the care and treatment they provided to Ms. Mills. For the record, it should be noted that at the time of her suicide, Ms. Mills was no longer a patient under their care.
Previously, Dr. Minkoff contributed $100,000 towards a settlement that was reached in the lawsuit filed over the alleged wrongful death of Lisa McPherson, a Scientologist, which occurred in 1995.
McPherson passed away at the young age of 36. The initial report suggested her demise was due to a pulmonary embolism caused by extended bed rest and severe dehydration.
Approximately two weeks after being discovered disoriented and without clothes on a street in Clearwater, following a minor car incident as observed by police and emergency medical services, she was transported to a local hospital for both physical care and a mental health assessment.
As per court records, an officer present stated that McPherson was expressing difficulties at the church and her responses were unclear; they needed to ask her several times to provide a clear answer.
According to earlier reports by the Tampa Bay Times, despite medical professionals at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater urging McPherson to remain for additional treatment, she chose to depart after being accompanied by three fellow Scientologists.
The article mentions that McPherson was confined to a hotel room for 17 consecutive days under constant surveillance by Scientology personnel. They were instructed not to engage in conversation with her during this time, allowing her to recuperate following the accident.
17 days that changed everything for me back in 1998, I found myself deeply engrossed in an official accusation leveled at the Church of Scientology by the state of Florida. This document revealed a chilling account of what they claimed was my situation during those very days.
According to the accusation, following her first week, she often found herself soiling herself (urinating and defecating) and slept very little.
She engaged in solitary dialogues, pretended to be different individuals, performed solo acts such as singing and dancing, crawled across the floor, stood on the toilet, entered the shower while fully dressed, attempted to exit the room inappropriately dressed, and at least once, consumed her own urine.
McPherson refused to eat and drink anything and had to be force fed.
As reported by the Tampa Bay Times, she was additionally provided with herbal sleep aids such as valerian root pills and magnesium.
17 days into the confinement, McPherson fell into a catatonic state, prompting church staff to call Dr. Minkoff in an attempt to secure an antibiotic prescription for her treatment.
Based on information from Florida’s Health Care Administration, it was reported that Dr. Minkoff had given McPherson prescriptions for Valium and chloral hydrate (a muscle relaxant) at the request of Church of Scientology employees who were not licensed healthcare professionals. Interestingly, he never examined her personally before doing so.
On this occasion, Doctor Minkoff chose not to provide any medication to McPherson, instead insisting that she receive immediate medical attention at the hospital.
The church employees reportedly declined to escort McPherson to Morton Plant Hospital, located only a few minutes away, due to their concerns that she might be admitted to the psychiatric ward instead.
Eventually, Dr. Minkoff consented to provide treatment in person, so his assistants made a trip of approximately 45 minutes to reach him. It is said that they passed by four distinct hospitals during this journey, while McPherson struggled to breathe in the rear seat.
According to court papers, when she reached Dr. Minkoff, she showed no signs of life; Dr. Minkoff subsequently declared her deceased.
In 1998, Dr. Minkoff paid $100,000 to McPherson’s family as part of a wrongful death settlement, following their lawsuit against the Church of Scientology, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
At the given moment, attorney James Felman for Dr. Minkoff clarified to the media that the full settlement amount was covered by two medical malpractice insurers.
According to Felman, we didn’t come up with the idea to relocate. However, since the insurance company will only be providing a small amount, it’s significantly less than the massive sum they initially demanded.
2001 saw Dr. Minkoff being penalized $10,000, having his medical license temporarily revoked for a year, and then placed under supervision for two years afterwards, all due to the fact that he prescribed McPherson drugs without ever meeting her, as outlined in court records.
According to The New York Times, the Church of Scientology faced accusations for the mistreatment or negligence of a disabled adult, as well as unauthorized medical practice, in relation to McPherson’s death. However, these charges were eventually dismissed, and McPherson’s demise was determined an ‘accident’ back in 2000.
Based on a 2012 court case, they successfully managed to dismiss the charges and change the cause of death following a massive $30 million effort aimed at influencing the medical examiner. This campaign was spearheaded by leader David Miscavige and former high-ranking official Mark Rathbun.
The Church of Scientology has denied all of these claims and the allegations were never proven.
2012 saw U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez listen to Rathbun’s arguments regarding his claims, yet remained unconvinced and did not issue a decision in his favor.
According to Mike Rinder, a former high-ranking member of Scientology, Lisa McPherson’s passing created a significant predicament for the organization.
As a devoted supporter, I find it important to note that should a legal proceeding against me take place, there’s a possibility that it might jeopardize our recently acquired tax-exempt standing.
Previously known Scientologist Quailynn McDaniel, once under Dr. Minkoff’s care and a confidante of Rebecca, shared with DailyMail.com her insights on the fallout following McPherson’s demise and the steadfast backing she observed in his offspring.
When David Minkoff faced the ordeal concerning the church and the events with Lisa McPherson, his family rallied around him strongly, expressing their full support by saying, “Whatever you need, David Minkoff, we’ve got you covered.
‘And they’ve been doing that for decades now,’ she added.
McDaniel left the church in 2009 and now manages a successful skincare clinic in Washington.
For two decades, she was deeply involved with Scientology, and over a ten-year period, she became acquainted with Rebecca. In that time, she came to view the Minkoff family as among the most influential within the church.
Uri Minkoff serves as her business partner, and he’s deeply religious. In fact, the entire family is deeply religious within the Church of Scientology, thus creating a strong spiritual environment around her, as McDaniel clarified.
The Minkoffs’ bond with Scientology is exceptionally profound and multifaceted, often surpassing others because of the trials David encountered following his encounter with Lisa McPherson.
Additionally, she expressed her hope that the publicity generated from Minkoff’s involvement in a powerful reality TV series such as RHONY might shed light on the troubling aspects associated with Scientology.
‘Highlighting the church’s abuses and its mental control is really good,’ McDaniel said.
Change will be triggered by this. By bringing light to it and allowing others to observe and grasp that their behaviors may not be psychologically sound, socially appropriate, or typical, we can highlight these mistreatments.
In April, when DailyMail.com reached out regarding McDaniel’s assertions, a representative for the Church of Scientology alleged that the website had maliciously slandered the faith of millions by citing someone who was formerly expelled from the church due to unethical behavior.
Minkoff addressed her faith during a gushing New York Times profile in 2021.
‘I’m totally open, but it’s not my job to proselytize,’ she told the publication.
She pointed out that the term “religion” often causes misunderstanding, as it seems to imply praying to L. Ron Hubbard upon first mention.
In simple terms, ‘I learn about it in classes, and that’s as far as my knowledge goes. It keeps me grounded. I don’t know everything. When I faced uncertainty, it was a place where I could find solutions to my questions.’
Minkoff also took a swipe at critics of the church, calling it ‘horrific misinformation.’
McDaniel countered Minkoff’s statements by remarking, “I noticed the part where she claimed not to promote Scientology.
However, delving into the teachings of Scientology and examining the Minkoff family lineage, it presents an untrue account.
She added, ‘Rebecca’s gonna try and bob and weave, but at the end of the day it is what it is.’
Her father’s lawsuit isn’t the only legal scandal that Minkoff is connected to.
In the previous year, Minkoff became an arbitrator for a legal dispute initiated by ex-Scientologist Valerie Haney. She alleges that she managed to leave the church secretly in 2016 by hiding in someone’s car trunk, escaping from the well-known Gold Base complex.
In accordance with Rolling Stone, Haney instigated a legal action against Scientology in the month of June 2019, charging them with crimes such as kidnapping, harassment, and defamation.
In the lawsuit, several well-known followers of Scientology – such as actor Giovanni Ribisi, self-help guru Grant Cardone, and Minkoff (who previously attended school with Haney) – were listed among the arbitrators.
Despite Minkoff not being charged with any misconduct, her connection to the church has nonetheless drawn her and other famous Scientologists into the legal dispute.
In a conversation with Access Hollywood, she expressed that her faith is an integral aspect of her identity.
She mentioned, “I grew up being both Jewish and a follower of Scientology, which I take pride in. In the face of life’s challenges, I find solace in these beliefs as they help me manage stress.
In an effort to get their perspective, we reached out to NBC, Rebecca Minkoff, David Minkoff, and the Church of Scientology for a statement.
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2024-10-17 20:07