Lilit Marcus: January 2008 Archives

The new Andrew Morton book about Tom Cruise has mostly gotten attention for its controversial claims about Cruise's Scientologist beliefs. However, the book also sheds light on the beliefs of Cruise's ex-wife, actress Nicole Kidman.

The book alleges that when the Church of Scientology first courted the couple, they sensed that Kidman would be "a problem" due to her deep connection to Catholicism and her interest in her father's profession, psychiatry (Scientology is outspoken in its refusal to accept psychiatry).

Carmen Rasmusen finished in the Top 6 on the second season of "American Idol." A devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she and her values sometimes clashed with the expected behavior of a pop singer. Carmen talks to Beliefnet's Lilit Marcus about her new memoir, Staying In Tune, and how she remains true to her Mormon beliefs while pursuing her musical dreams.

Beliefnet: This book is aimed at young women and girls, many of whom struggle with their self-esteem. How did you cope when you were on "American Idol" and being criticized not for your singing but for your looks?

Carmen: My parents always have taught me 'you're good enough'. Love who you are, and you're good enough, and you don't need to feel like you need to apologize for who you are, and you don’t need to feel like you need to try to be someone you’re not. So, whenever I got bad comments from the judges, or I'd get on the Internet and read what bloggers have written about me, I would get so down, and I would get so sad. The biggest support group was obviously my parents, and I’d call them. And they’d build me up. ["Idol"] was such a neat thing for me to do, but it wasn't the most important thing in my life. My family and faith are.

I believe the term "Celebrity Apology Tour" was coined after Hugh Grant went on every TV show possible to try and repair his image following his arrest for soliciting a prostitute. However, with most TV shows on hiatus or slowly returning without writers, what's a recently disgraced starlet to do? Get photographed going to church, of course.

Twenty-one-year-old actress Mischa Barton, best known for her starring role on teen night-time soap "The OC" and modeling in Keds shoes ads, was arrested in Los Angeles last week for a DUI. The police report stated that Barton had been found in possession of a narcotic, although they failed to specify which one. (Many gossip sites have speculated that the narcotic was marijuana, because a magazine named Barton one of "Hollywood's Biggest Potheads" last year.) Although Barton and her relatives keep a lower tabloid profile than the Spearses, Mischa's younger sister Hania spent some time in rehab last year for prescription painkiller addiction.

Barton was spotted yesterday leaving the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Beverly Hills. While no one seems to know if she attended mass, went to confession, or simply went in for a few moments of quiet contemplation, a starlet in church instead of a bar is such a rare occurrence that it quickly made headlines. Time will tell if her sudden religious devotion is a publicity stunt or a genuine attempt at rehabilitating her life.