John Stamos, the widely recognized actor, once found himself on the verge of joining the Church of Scientology, a turn of events that can be traced back to his adolescence. It’s quite a fascinating story, as he shared during an engaging ‘Friends in High Places’ podcast episode. The unlikely lure into broadening his spiritual considerations? The combination of an attractive young lady and esteemed actor John Travolta, both playing a role in his curiosity for the church at the tender age of 17.
It happened like this: John was attending an acting class when an attractive young woman suggested that he join a gathering at a certain place on Hollywood Boulevard. At that point in time, Stamos worked at his father’s eatery. Eager and curious, he implored his father to step away from his duties at the restaurant to participate in the gathering, surprisingly held at the Scientology building.
His admiration for John Travolta was no secret, sparked mainly from watching the popular film ‘Grease.’ Stamos aspired to emulate Travolta, to carry the same charisma and magnetic appeal that Travolta exuded. Despite his admiration, however, he clarified that his interest did not extend to agreeing with everything Travolta stood for, subtly hinting at his Scientology faith.
Travolta, for context, has been an active member of the Church of Scientology since 1975. Upon his arrival at their establishment, Stamos was introduced to the church’s ‘E-Meter’ device. This device, as per their official website, is designed to measure extremely low voltages and understands the facets of human consciousness.
However, Stamos’ encounter with the E-Meter was far from conventional. The ‘Full House’ star, known for his humor, began to use this serious tool in an jesting manner, even pretending to hold phone-like conversations through it. His light-hearted antics, however, didn’t quite sync with the church’s solemn atmosphere. He admitted to the shenanigans during the podcast and how they eventually led to his expulsion from the scientology building. “I was just making light of the situation so much, they said, ‘You need to leave.’ They simply ushered me out,” he stated.
Adding to the intriguing tale, the podcast host, Matt Friend, humorously suggested that Stamos was ‘too amusing’ to fit into the church’s formal, rigid structure. John took it in stride, laughing at what could be considered an unconventional observation and compliment. He concurred with Matt’s amusing opinion, even joking that he must have been overwhelmingly exuberant.
In his memoir, scheduled to release in 2023 and titled ‘If You Would Have Told Me,’ Stamos provides a more comprehensive look at his encounters with the Church of Scientology. Quenching the curiosity of his fans, he dives deep into the somewhat quirky tale of his short-lived Scientology brush.
Candid as always, Stamos confessed that his curiosity for the church faded quickly when he realized that certain elements of it felt ‘strange and unnerving.’ Reports from his book indicate an anecdote that, during a detailed inquiry about his past, a man associated with the church tried to delve into some sensitive subjects. This included asking Stamos about potential criminal history, his views on Scientology and founder L. Ron Hubbard, and touched on some unusually in-depth inquiries into his personal life.
As he was subjected to this probing, he sensed the interviewers’ disappointment when his answers seemingly didn’t align with their expectations. Stamos narrated this situation humorously, stating, ‘The Wayback Machine needle jumps in the corner, and Mia looks disappointed. It seemed I failed to fit their mold.’
Despite his colourful experiences with the Church of Scientology, it’s clear that Stamos was far from embittered by the events, choosing instead to share the experience with a touch of humor and open honesty. Upon the publication of his memoir, fans can look forward to more intimate insights into his life, including these personal encounters.
Presently, neither Stamos’ representative nor the spokesperson for the Church of Scientology has given any comment on this revelation by the actor. While this story is sure to spark some conversation, those involved seem to prefer maintaining a dignified silence.
John Stamos’ journey with the church may be small chapters in his life, but they’re one that holds immense curiosity for fans worldwide. His experience serves as a reminder of Stamos’ knack for ending up in entertainingly peculiar situations, a common thread throughout his illustrious career, fuelled by his unique blend of charm and wit.