If you’ve ever watched Leah Remini on screen, you know she doesn't do "quiet." She’s loud, she’s Brooklyn, and she’s fiercely protective. But for the last few years, the woman who took on a multi-billion dollar organization has been dealing with a much more relatable, albeit painful, challenge: watching her only child grow up and leave the house.
Leah Remini and daughter Sofia Bella Pagán have a bond that feels different than your typical Hollywood mother-daughter duo. It’s a relationship forged in a very specific kind of fire. When Leah famously broke away from the Church of Scientology in 2013, she didn't just do it for her own sanity. She did it because Sofia was nine years old—the age when the organization begins "auditing" children.
Why Leah Remini and Daughter Sofia Are Closer Than Ever
Most parents worry about their kids getting into the right college or picking the right friends. For Leah, the stakes were existential. In several raw interviews, she’s admitted that the fear of "disconnection"—a policy where members are forced to shun family who leave the group—was the ultimate catalyst. She refused to let that happen to Sofia.
Honestly, it worked.
Today, Sofia is 21 and essentially her mother’s twin. If you scroll through Leah’s social media, you’ll see the same arched eyebrows, the same sharp wit, and a shared love for "hoarding" makeup. Leah told Drew Barrymore a few years back that Sofia is a huge makeup fan but barely wears any of it. She just likes having it. Relatable? Totally.
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But it hasn't all been lip gloss and TikToks.
The Heavy Toll of the Spotlight and the Past
Living as the daughter of the most famous "SP" (Suppressive Person) in the world comes with a unique set of anxieties. In June 2025, reports surfaced that the harassment Leah has faced for years has trickled down to Sofia. Leah has been vocal about the fact that Sofia is "constantly petrified" that her phone is being tapped.
It’s a heavy burden for a young woman in her early twenties. Leah has had to be more than a mom; she’s had to be a security detail, a legal advocate, and a therapist. She once mentioned having to tell Sofia every single day to "be aware." That's a lot of pressure. It’s not just celebrity gossip; it’s a lifestyle of high-alert.
The "Messy" Reality of the Empty Nest
When Sofia moved out for college in 2022, Leah didn't handle it with "grace and poise." She handled it like a human being. She cried. A lot.
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- She sat in a Target parking lot and bonded with strangers over the pain of letting go.
- She admitted to "torturing" herself, wondering if she pushed Sofia toward college too hard because she never got to go herself.
- She and her ex-husband, Angelo Pagán, even joked about pulling her out of school to homeschool her just to keep her close.
Interestingly, Sofia’s college journey wasn't a straight line. She actually moved back home for a few months after her first semester because the first school "didn't make sense" for her. Leah used that as a teaching moment for her followers, saying there is always time to "course correct" if something isn't working. By 2023, Sofia was settled into a new university and her own apartment.
Life After the Split with Angelo Pagán
The family dynamic shifted significantly in August 2024 when Leah and Angelo announced they were divorcing after 21 years of marriage. For many fans, this was a shock. They seemed like the ultimate "us against the world" team.
However, they’ve remained incredibly united when it comes to Sofia. You won't find messy tabloid leaks here. They are focused on being a "blended family" (Sofia has three older stepbrothers from Angelo’s previous marriage). The divorce seems to have been a mutual realization that they had grown into different people, but their role as Sofia’s parents remains the one thing they refuse to mess up.
What Most People Get Wrong About Sofia
People often assume Sofia wants to be a mini-Leah, chasing the Hollywood spotlight. While her private Instagram bio once joked she was an "actor, model, and singer," she’s actually kept a remarkably low profile. She isn't out at every red carpet event or trying to sell you a lifestyle brand.
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She seems content being a student and navigating her twenties away from the cameras. Leah has described her as "strong-minded"—the kind of kid who would have been stifled in a controlled environment.
Actionable Takeaways for Parents Navigating Change
Watching the evolution of Leah Remini and daughter Sofia offers some surprisingly grounded lessons for the rest of us:
- Trust your "course correction" instincts. If your kid is in a situation (school, job, relationship) that feels wrong, don't force them to stick it out for the sake of appearances. Sofia moved back home, reset, and found a better path.
- Validate their fears. Sofia’s anxiety about her privacy is real. Instead of dismissing it, Leah got her professional help and acknowledged the toll the situation takes.
- Be okay with the "Mess." You don't have to be a "cool, calm mom" when your kid leaves the nest. It’s okay to cry in a Target parking lot. It means you actually liked the job of being a parent.
- Prioritize the bond over the belief. Leah’s entire life change was based on one premise: nothing is more important than the family connection. If a system or a group asks you to choose them over your child, the system is the problem.
Sofia is now carving out her own identity in a world that is finally hers to explore, far away from the restrictions her mother fought so hard to escape. For Leah, that’s the ultimate win.