Most people remember Leah Remini as the sharp-tongued Carrie Heffernan from The King of Queens. But if you ask Leah, her most high-stakes role has nothing to do with sitcoms or Emmy awards. It’s being a mother to Sofia Bella Pagán.
Sofia isn’t just a "celebrity kid." She’s basically the reason Leah Remini’s life looks the way it does today. Honestly, without Sofia, Leah might still be deep inside the Church of Scientology.
The Sitcom Pregnancy No One Saw (Or Did They?)
If you’re a fan of The King of Queens, you probably noticed something weird in Season 6. Carrie Heffernan suddenly started wearing massive ponchos. She carried laundry baskets in front of her stomach in every scene. She was "unemployed" and lounging in baggy sweats.
✨ Don't miss: Robert Ray Fox Weather: What Most People Get Wrong
That wasn't just a character choice. Leah was pregnant with Sofia. She gained about 80 pounds during the pregnancy, and the writers had to get creative. Sofia was born on June 16, 2004, just one day after Leah’s own birthday. Talk about a birthday present.
Why Sofia Was the Catalyst for Leaving Scientology
This is where things get heavy. Leah was a dedicated Scientologist for over 30 years. But when Sofia hit age nine, things changed. In Scientology, that’s around the time "auditing" starts for kids.
Auditing involves being asked probing, intense questions by church officials. Leah looked at her daughter and realized she didn't want Sofia to go through what she went through. She didn't want Sofia to be taught that the "Church comes first" before family.
"I decided I didn't want to raise my daughter in the church," Leah told ABC News years ago. She was terrified that if she stayed, and later decided to leave, Sofia would be forced to "disconnect" from her. She basically blew up her entire social circle to make sure Sofia grew up free.
Life After the Cult: A Catholic Twist
In a move that shocked a lot of people, Leah and her then-husband Angelo Pagán had Sofia baptized as a Catholic in 2015.
📖 Related: Princess Diana Astrology Chart: What the Planets Actually Say About the People's Princess
It wasn't just about religion; it was about reclaiming a sense of normal spirituality. Leah said she wanted Sofia to have a "more spiritual existence" without the judgment she felt in her previous life. They waited until Sofia was 11 so she could actually understand what she was accepting. It’s kinda cool when you think about it—giving a kid the agency to choose their own path.
Growing Up in the Public Eye
We’ve seen Sofia grow up in bits and pieces. She was on the TLC reality show Leah Remini: It's All Relative. She was the defiant toddler on The Rachael Ray Show when Leah was trying to get her off the bottle.
Now? She’s a college student. And she’s her mother’s literal twin. When Leah posted prom photos of Sofia in a stunning emerald gown back in 2022, the internet lost its mind. Same eyes, same pout, same "don't mess with me" energy.
Where is Sofia Bella Pagán in 2026?
Today, Sofia is carving out her own life away from the Hollywood drama, though her parents' recent divorce has put her back in the headlines. In August 2024, Leah and Angelo announced they were splitting after 21 years of marriage.
Despite the divorce, they both seem obsessed with Sofia’s success. She’s currently finishing up her college degree. Leah has been very open about the "excruciating" pain of being an empty nester. She even admitted to crying in the aisles of Target after dropping Sofia off at school.
What You Can Learn from the Remini Family
Leah and Sofia’s relationship is a masterclass in "breaking the cycle." It’s not easy to walk away from everything you know to protect your kid.
- Trust your gut: If a situation feels wrong for your child, it probably is, no matter how much "history" you have with it.
- Education matters: Leah went back to school herself (getting an associate's degree from NYU) to show Sofia that learning never stops.
- Boundaries are healthy: Sofia stays relatively private on social media compared to other "nepo babies," which suggests she’s building a life based on her own merits.
If you’re following Leah’s journey, the best way to support her is to keep an eye on her ongoing advocacy work against abusive organizations. It’s clear that everything she does—from the lawsuits to the documentaries—is fueled by the desire to keep Sofia, and kids like her, safe.
Keep an eye on Leah’s social media for updates on Sofia’s graduation this year. It’s bound to be a tear-jerker for the "King of Queens" star.