Jessica Feshbach

Jessica Feshbach
Born (1975-12-18) December 18, 1975
United States
Residence Austin, Texas
Other names Jessica Feshbach Rodriguez,
Jessica Rodriguez
Jessica Paolo
Jessica Davis
Education The Delphian School
Occupation Scientology official,
Member of Sea Org
Years active 1994–present
Employer David Miscavige
Organization Church of Scientology International
Known for Scientology spokesperson,
Assistant to Katie Holmes
Spouse(s) Frederick Paolo, (c. late 1990s)[1]
Andres Rodriguez[1] (c. 2003)
Tommy Davis (c. 2007--present)[2]
Parent(s) Joseph Feshbach, Lucinda Horn Feshbach
Relatives Melissa M Feshbach, Sarah Isabelle Feshbach, Kurt Feshbach

Jessica Feshbach, also known as Jessica Feshbach Rodriguez and Jessica Davis (born December 18, 1975[3]), was an American official within the Scientology organization. The daughter of an influential family within Scientology which gave millions of dollars to the organization,[4][5] she attended The Delphian School in Yamhill County, Oregon, which uses techniques developed by the movement's founder, L. Ron Hubbard.[6]

At age 19, Feshbach joined the Scientology division Sea Org,[7] an elite group described by the organization as occupying "the most essential and trusted positions in the senior churches in the Scientology hierarchy".[8] She was characterized in 2005 by MSNBC as a "Senior Scientologist",[9] and by Fox News Channel as "a high-level Scientologist";[10] in 2006 MSNBC described her as "a high-level Scientology practitioner and member of the church's influential Feshbach family".[4]

Feshbach is most well known for her stint as Tom Cruise's assistant, and for her friendship with Katie Holmes during the couple's engagement.[11][12] In this role she traveled with Holmes during publicity for the actresses's film roles, sat in on interviews, and responded to questions about Holmes from journalists.[10][12][13] Warner Bros. made special accommodations for Feshbach to accompany Holmes during promotion of Batman Begins,[10][14][15] and she attended Holmes' wedding to Cruise in Italy in 2006.[12] Feshbach was later a guest of honor at Scientology's Patron Ball, held at the organization's headquarters in Britain.[12] By 2009, Feshbach had become a high-ranking spokesperson for the Scientology organization.[16]

Feshbach now lives with her husband Tommy Davis in Austin, Texas.

Early life and family

Born on December 18, 1975, Feshbach comes from an influential family within Scientology.[4][11] She is a devoted member of the organization,[17] and her family, having given millions of dollars to the organization,[5][12][18] are one of the most significant donors to Scientology.[10] Her mother is Lucinda Horn Feshbach and her father was Joseph Feshbach, an investor in Palo Alto, California; he was profiled in a 1991 article about Scientology in Time magazine.[5] Feshbach has a twin sister, Melissa,[19] and an older brother Kurt. As of 2005, her aunt was the manager of a Florida-based Scientology center.[5][12]

Along with two brothers, Joseph Feshbach worked out of facilities in California and Clearwater, Florida.[20] The Feshbachs are noteworthy for gaining wealth through the process of short selling companies on the stock market.[5][20] The brothers are all devout adherents to Scientology,[21][22] and have used Dianetics, a philosophy which serves as the base of Scientology methodology, to aid their trading techniques.[23][24][24] One of Feshbach's uncles told the St. Petersburg Times that a Scientology program titled Super Powers had helped him improve his investing skills.[21] Feshbach's brother Kurt later utilized the same approach to invest successfully.[25]

Feshbach received elementary education from The Delphian School, a private boarding school whose teaching techniques are based on the methodology of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.[6] The Delphian School is located in Sheridan, Oregon, and delivers instruction to grades K-8.[6] In 2005, Feshbach began going by the name Rodriguez, her second husband.[10]

Scientology official

Sea Org

In 1994, Feshbach joined the division of Scientology called the Sea Org,[7] an elite unit within the organization.[12][26] 3 News characterized the Sea Org as "Scientology's senior management".[27] In their book Cults and New Religions, Douglas E. Cowan and David G. Bromley wrote, "Described by the Church as 'a fraternal religious order,' members of the Sea Org 'occupy the most essential and trusted positions in the senior churches in the Scientology hierarchy'."[8] Rolling Stone notes, "Sea Org members staff all of the senior ecclesiastic positions in the church hierarchy".[28][29] As of 2010, there were 5,000 members in the Sea Org.[30] Feshbach told the Associated Press, "When you sign up as a Sea Org member, you're signing up as a member of a religious order. You're a volunteer. You sign a contract that says, 'I'm not going to be paid minimum wage and I know that.'"[7]

As part of her ascent within the church's hierarchy, Feshbach completed Scientology courses including "Security Checker Internship," "False Purpose Rundown Auditorship" and "Clear Certainty".[10] In 2005, MSNBC characterized Feshbach as a "Senior Scientologist",[9] and Fox News Channel called her "a high-level Scientologist" within the organization.[10] In 2006, MSNBC described Feshbach as "a high-level Scientology practitioner and member of the church's influential Feshbach family".[4]

Assistant to Cruise and Holmes

Feshbach soon began working as an assistant to Scientologist actor Tom Cruise.[31] In April 2005, she transferred from her Sea Org duties to serve as a personal "handler" to his then-fiancee, Katie Holmes.[11][12] Soon after beginning her relationship with Cruise, Holmes fired her long-time manager and agent, and Feshbach became her new "best friend".[32][33] Feshbach tutored Holmes in Scientology methodologies,[34] traveled with Holmes[35] when the actress was interviewed during publicity events.[10]

In one cover story for W Magazine, journalist Robert Haskell wrote that Feshbach "was described to me as Holmes's 'Scientology chaperone' and it was clear that she would be on hand during our interview despite my protests."[13][36] This was in contrast to Holmes's earlier press, which noted approvingly she "arrives without the ubiquitous PR person in tow."[37] Holmes simply characterized Feshbach as her best friend,[10] and Feshbach said the same.[15][38] During the interview, however, Feshbach intervened multiple times to answer questions posed to Holmes.[39][40]

Feshbach additionally accompanied Holmes to promote her film Batman Begins.[41][42] Warner Bros., the studio that distributed the film, released a statement to New York Daily News that denied reported friction with Feshbach: "There's no discord between us and Jessica. We, in fact, made Jessica's hotel reservations for her and brought her along on our plane. If she's someone Katie wants to travel with, that's fine. The people who made the tour made every effort to accommodate her. It's a very amicable situation."[14] Later that year, along with Cruise and Holmes, Feshbach was a guest of honor at the Patron Ball, a Scientology event held at Saint Hill Manor, the organization's British headquarters.[12] In 2006, Feshbach attended Holmes' wedding to Cruise in Italy.[12]

Organization spokesperson

By 2009, Feshbach had become a public spokesperson for Scientology;[16] she continued to serve in this capacity in 2010.[7][43]

Feshbach and Scientology official Tommy Davis held a meeting on February 27, 2009 in Burbank, California with actor Larry Anderson.[44][45] Anderson, who had previously starred in the Scientology introduction film Orientation, asked Feshbach and Davis to give back money he had donated to the Scientology organization.[44][45] Anderson recorded the 90-minute discussion and it was made public by the St. Petersburg Times.[44][45]

In June 2009, Feshbach commented on the expertise of Scientology leader David Miscavige to the St. Petersburg Times, regarding his experience in the methodology of the organization and his ability to monitor a controversial case involving the death of Scientologist Lisa McPherson.[16] Feshbach asserted, "He is an expert in every field."[16] In July 2010 the Church of Scientology International publicized a "Scientology Newsroom" website tailored for members of the media;[46] Feshbach was one of four international representatives for Scientology listed as "Spokespersons".[47]

Life After Leaving Sea Org

In 2009, Feshbach married Scientology executive Tommy Davis in a small private ceremony.[48]

Feshbach now goes by the name “Jessica Davis.” She acquired a Texas realtor’s license in July 2013, and worked as an agent at Wilson Goldrick Realtors in Austin.[49][50]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Recchia, Philip (June 19, 2005). "Scientology 'Princess' Is A Spooky Shadow On Kooky Katie". New York Post.
  2. ↑ The Apostate - The New Yorker
  3. ↑ "Jessica Feshbach". CaliforniaBirthIndex.org. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Zhao, J.-Y. (February 13, 2006). "A Valentine's ode to TomKat". MSNBC. msnbc.msn.com. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Friedman, Roger (June 21, 2005). "Katie Holmes' Missing Days". Fox News Channel. Fox News Network, LLC. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  6. 1 2 3 Rowlands, Ted (August 11, 2005). "Scientology vs. Psychiatry; Scientology Explored". Anderson Cooper 360. CNN. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Flaccus, Gillian (Associated Press) (March 29, 2010). "Scientology lawsuits draw attention to work of 'Sea Org'". USA Today. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  8. 1 2 Cowan, Douglas E.; David G. Bromley (2007). Cults and New Religions: A Brief History. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 39. ISBN 1-4051-6128-0.
  9. 1 2 Bonné, Jon (August 8, 2005). "When enough is enough". MSNBC. msnbc.msn.com. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Friedman, Roger (July 11, 2005). "DreamWorks Nightmare: Insider Trading?". Fox News Channel. Fox News Network, LLC. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  11. 1 2 3 Friedman, Roger (November 20, 2006). "Tom Cruise: Was Wedding the End of His Career?". Fox News Channel. Fox News Network, LLC. Archived from the original on November 4, 2008. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Morton, Andrew (2008). Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography. St. Martin's Press. pp. 268, 273, 276, 279–282, 287, 291–294, 303, 310. ISBN 0-312-35986-1.
  13. 1 2 "Katie Holmes: A New Direction - Getting Closer to Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes Is Finding New Friends—and Embracing Scientology". People magazine. 63 (25): 52–53. June 27, 2005.
  14. 1 2 Grove, Lloyd; Hudson Morgan (June 14, 2005). "Is Tom turning Katie into a sect addict?". New York Daily News. www.nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  15. 1 2 "Holmes says she and Cruise will always be in honeymoon phase". New Zealand Herald. www.nzherald.co.nz. July 12, 2005. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Tobin, Thomas C.; Joe Childs (June 22, 2009). "Death in slow motion: Part 2 of 3 in a special report on the Church of Scientology". St. Petersburg Times. www.tampabay.com. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  17. ↑ Tauber, Michelle (April 24, 2006). "The Private World of Katie Holmes". People magazine. www.people.com. 65 (16). Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  18. ↑ Friedman, Roger (October 7, 2005). "Katie Holmes Completely Cruise Controlled". Fox News Channel. Fox News Network, LLC. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  19. ↑ "Melissa Feshbach". CaliforniaBirthIndex.org. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  20. 1 2 "He's getting rich betting stocks will drop". Miami Herald. October 1, 1989. p. 1F.
  21. 1 2 Friedman, Roger (August 29, 2006). "'Mission: Impossible' not going anywhere". Fox News Channel. Fox News Network, LLC. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  22. ↑ Dorfman, Dan (October 21, 1987). "Trio wins losing battle". USA Today. McLean, Virginia. p. 2B.
  23. ↑ "Investment firm joins followers of Dianetics". Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. June 24, 1990. p. 1G.
  24. 1 2 Reuters (June 22, 1990). "Using Dianetics to choose stocks". Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. p. C5.
  25. ↑ Groves, Martha (October 14, 1990). "Short Road to Success Investing: The Feshbach brothers of Palo Alto have made a fortune betting that stocks will go down. But some critics question their short-selling methods.". Los Angeles Times. p. 1; Business, part D.
  26. ↑ Ternieden, Hendrik (November 20, 2009). "Debatte in Australien - "Scientology ist eine kriminelle Organisation"". Spiegel Online (in German). www.spiegel.de. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  27. ↑ Davies, Melissa (November 26, 2009). "Video - A New Zealander's whistle-blowing about the church has made it all the way to the Australian parliament". 3 News. www.3news.co.nz, TV3. Event occurs at 1:40. Archived from the original on 2012-09-02. Retrieved 2010-10-18. Aaron's allegations about his time in the Sea Organization, Scientology's senior management.
  28. ↑ Reitman, Janet (February 23, 2006). "Inside Scientology: Unlocking the complex code of America's most mysterious religion". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2010-08-18. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  29. ↑ American Society of Magazine Editors (2007). The Best American Magazine Writing 2007. Columbia University Press. p. 339. ISBN 0-231-14391-5.
  30. ↑ Collerton, Sarah (March 12, 2010). "Scientology insider's nightmare childhood". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  31. ↑ "Katie's in Cruise control". Uxbridge Gazette. www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk. June 12, 2005. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  32. ↑ Last, Colleen. "Cruise Control: How Tom has changed Katie". MSN Entertainment. uk.MSN.com. Archived from the original on 2008-02-17. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  33. ↑ Hoffman, Claire; Kim Christensen (December 18, 2005). "Tom Cruise and Scientology". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  34. ↑ Li, Xin; Bing Liu; Philip S. Yu (2006). "Mining Community Structure of Named Entities from Web Pages and Blogs". AAAI Spring Symposia 2006. Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence.
  35. ↑ Servitje, Marc (2007). Tom Cruise: Nacido el tres de julio - Un mito en la industria de Hollywood (in Spanish). Ediciones Carena. pp. 115–116.
  36. ↑ Haskell, Robert (August 2005). "Holmes Sweet Holmes: She's landed the role of a lifetime—beautiful bride of the world's biggest movie star. What's so weird about that?". W magazine. p. 164.
  37. ↑ Graham, Caroline (November 9, 2003). "What Katie Did Next". Mail on Sunday. London. p. 30.
  38. ↑ Fink, Sharon (July 10, 2005). "Sideshow series". St. Petersburg Times. p. 2B.
  39. ↑ Harnden, Toby (July 10, 2005). "Scientology minder prompts Katie Holmes through first big interview". The Daily Telegraph. London: www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  40. ↑ Roloff, Heiko (July 14, 2005). "Im Griff von Scientology?". Hamburger Abendblatt. www.abendblatt.de. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  41. ↑ "Katie Holmes's New Friend Raises Eyebrows". People magazine. www.people.com. June 15, 2005. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  42. ↑ Rush, George (June 23, 2005). "'War' is hell for Cruise press pack". New York Daily News. www.nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  43. ↑ Gardner, David (March 28, 2010). "Scientologists make their followers 'work as slave labour', according to lawsuits by two former members". Daily Mail. London: www.dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  44. 1 2 3 Childs, Joe; Thomas C. Tobin (January 24, 2010). "I want my money back". St. Petersburg Times. www.tampabay.com. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  45. 1 2 3 Childs, Joe; Thomas C. Tobin (January 24, 2010). "Larry Anderson, star of Scientology's 'Orientation' film, wants his money back". St. Petersburg Times. www.tampabay.com. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
  46. ↑ Erin (July 19, 2010). "Scientologists Unveil 'Scientology Newsroom'". Crushable. b5media inc. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  47. ↑ "Church of Scientology International Contact Information". Scientology Newsroom. Church of Scientology International. 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  48. ↑ Wright, Lawrence ( February 14, 2011). "The Apostate: Paul Haggis vs. the Church of Scientology," The New Yorker; http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/02/14/110214fa_fact_wright?currentPage=18
  49. ↑ Austin gains some prominent Scientologists | www.statesman.com
  50. ↑ Jessica Feshbach – LinkedIn profile

Further reading

External links

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