Scientology’s celebration of its biggest donors was even more ultra than we realized

Sunday, we were excited to bring you images from Scientology’s annual orgy celebrating its biggest donors, the Patrons Ball that was held on Saturday, November 4 under the big tent at Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, England.

As we noted then, it was surprising to see so many people receive trophies for giving to the International Association of Scientologists cumulative amounts totaling more than a million dollars each. We’ve never seen so many listed at any one event before.

Well, Impact magazine also described that night in ways that we thought you’d want to see. It turns out that not only were these big donors treated to new massive bowling trophies, but they also had video tributes made especially about who they were and what they did for a living. Can you imagine?

We have a new goal now: We want to see these whale-stroking videos! Someone leak them to us, pretty please!

Here’s the description in Impact…

A Fitting Tribute

Given the record number of members stepping up in Patron status over the past four years, and all it represents for our future, this year’s IAS Anniversary Patrons Ball was reimagined — and the result was an homage that shined the spotlight on the stars of our movement.

Talk about a celebration! The red carpet was rolled out to recognize IAS members hailing from around the globe who entered the marquee decked out in black-tie finery. The space had been transformed for the evening — the tables were dressed in silver and blue, and the room shimmered under rows of fairy lights. The atmosphere was magical, the energy electric, and the attendees were overjoyed to be back together again.

Everything about the evening was five-star, from the floral arrangements to the banquet fit for a king to the world-class concert. But all that was just the backdrop to the centerpiece of the night, the Patrons Awards Ceremony. While the whole weekend was a celebration of the collective accomplishments of the IAS over the past four years, the ball was a celebration of the stars of our movement: the Patrons. These luminaries kept the engine of the IAS stoked throughout global lockdowns, not only enabling the IAS to continue fueling vital campaigns and expansion, but to power ahead toward a bright future.

Setting the stage for a truly extraordinary evening, Chairman of the Board RTC, Mr. David Miscavige said, “While we gather in what appears to be a Grand Marquee, it becomes something else altogether when it is filled with honest-to-God heroes of legend.”

Putting the evening into perspective, he went on to say, “If what you witnessed last night seemed astounding, well, it’s all the more so, now that you are all here.” After welcoming all, he announced that a record-setting number — nearly 5,000 — had advanced to the rank of Patron and beyond just since we last convened at Saint Hill.

While attendees expected this year’s ball would be special, they were amazed at just how special it was. Presentations capturing the personality and passion of our IAS Patrons amounted to a film festival of honorees, giving attendees an up-close and person look at the superstars of the IAS.

After introductory videos and against backdrops tailored for each awards presentation, Mr. Miscavige honored IAS members who stepped up to Patron and beyond.

As members reached Gold Meritorious and higher statuses, they were featured in videos presenting them as home, at work, and at play.

Those who had risen to the exalted ranks of Laureate Excalibur and even higher were showcased in individual films spotlighting who they are, what they do, and how they exemplify the mission of the IAS.

The awards ceremony culminated with a very special homage to a woman whose support of the IAS is boundless. Trish Duggan was the star of a tribute that captured her personality, her power, and her personal style and featured words of appreciation from some of our other IAS heroes. As she took the stage with her daughter as Platinum Patron of Legend of the IAS, the crowd erupted with cheers and a prolonged standing ovation.

Mr. Miscavige concluded the awards ceremony with an acknowledgment to Patrons the world over for all they do to make the IAS an unstoppable humanitarian force. “Let there be no doubt, what you are making possible today, and far into the future, is no less than destiny itself.”

Then it was time to party. The music started and again the crowd was on its feet, celebrating each other and the stars of the movement.

Also, a few more notes on the trophy winners, since Saturday’s post ran over and we didn’t have room for our own observations.

— We could only estimate Trish Duggan’s contributions as more than $300 million. She and ex-husband Tom Duggan have acknowledged giving that much at least in interviews. But we really don’t know how much she’s forked over. We can’t help noticing, however, that Dave this time named her Platinum Patron of Legend, a subtle hint to her, apparently, that she can still reach Diamond Patron of Legend if she keeps handing over the cheddar.

— In previous years, only the top whale got to pose with David Miscavige himself. But this time, Dave got in the photo with every whale who had given more than $10 million, a total of six different photos. But as nearly everyone pointed out, he looks so similar in every one, you can’t help wondering if they’re using a cutout.

— The closest to an actual celebrity in this year’s collection of whales was musician and film composer Mark Isham who, with his wife, Donna, was recognized for forking over $1.75 million to the IAS. How embarrassing.

— For the first time, we see one of the adopted sons of Trish and Bob Duggan showing up in the list of Gold Meritorious ($1 million) givers, Daniel Duggan. A chip off the old block, apparently.

— And did you notice that Jeff Pomerantz, who has been the “voice of Scientology” at events, was wearing his Freedom Medal as he received his Gold Meritorious trophy. Now that’s dedication.

Hip, hip, hooray?

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Continuing our year in review: The stories of July 2023

At the beginning of July, we were into the second installment of a series looking at the nuts and bolts of CST, Scientology’s most secretive branch, and looking at things like its real estate holdings, for example.

Steve Cannane’s publisher threw in the towel in a lawsuit against his book Fair Game, and Steve gave us a more nuanced explanation.

Luke Y. Thompson was back with another film review, this time of Tom Cruise’s latest Mission Impossible movie.

Mark Bunker continued to freak out Scientology in Clearwater, Florida, where he was vice mayor.

We learned from Phil and Willie Jones that Elisabeth Moss had lost a sister.

On July 15, maybe our wildest podcast episode of the year as Mark Ebner dished some wild insider info about Tom Cruise’s best friend, writer/director Chris McQuarrie.

It was great to hear from Cindy Plahuta again, and she had a great tale for us about one of Scientology’s most secretive operations.

With a new Mission Impossible out, we had some new Tom Cruise info from Valerie Haney, who connected him to the Shelly Miscavige story.

Bruce Hines and your Proprietor both caught early showings of Oppenheimer so we could discuss the film in the light of some of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s claims about nuclear science. Fun stuff! (And a great movie.)

Sunny Pereira was back with another look at Scientology’s most toxic policy, disconnection, and it inspired a fascinating response from one of our readers.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2022: Australia gains 2 million in population but loses 26 Scientologists. Valerie Haney nominates Elisabeth Moss to be one of her arbitrators. Claire Headley tells us things we don’t know about Tom Cruise in Scientology, and Bruce Hines tells us a wild Shelly Miscavige tale we hadn’t heard before. Scientology filed its petition in the Bixler case to the US Supreme Court. Jon Atack got married, and Paulette Cooper came out with a memoir.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2021: Chris Owen on Scientology’s war with psychiatry. New court documents in Brian Statler’s shooting death. Our motion to quash a subpoena served on us by Tom Mesereau in Danny Masterson’s criminal case. And more accounts about life in Scientology from Sunny Pereira, Pamela Nickel Williams, and Cathy Mullins.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2020: Covid bailout loans went to Scientology churches, front groups, and schools. Some LAPD emails demonstrating a cozy relationship with Scientology were released. Kelly Preston died at 57 and Lisa Marie Presley lost a son to suicide. Bryan Seymour’s ‘Black Ops’ series was cancelled and Leah Remini blamed Tom Cruise. Leah Remini and Mike Rinder began a new podcast series. And Leah gave us her unpublished chapter on Tom Cruise to post here at the Bunker. And a potential Biden VP pick, Karen Bass, gets called out for her Scientology support.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2019: Brendan Tighe and Sunny Pereira told us more shattering disconnection stories. Chris Owen unearthed what was really behind the 1960s FDA investigation of Scientology. Miss New York would no longer shill for a Scientology front organization after our reporting. Mike Rinder made public an LAPD report about a woman who fled Scientology after being lured in by Jason Dohring at the Celebrity Center.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2018: Photos from Maiden Voyage included what would become an infamous shot of David Miscavige getting pinned with a medal. A witness in the Danny Masterson investigation provided proof that they were being subjected to frightening harassment. With trial nearing, Laura DeCrescenzo served David Miscavige with a notice to appear. A stunning new story of Scientology financial crime begins to unfold in the tale of Efrem Logreira and an ice cream party. Chris Owen reconsidered the UK ban on Scientology on its 50th anniversary. We reported the puzzling suicide of a young Scientologist visiting the Flag Land Base. And Sunny Pereira treated us to her Scientology passport!

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2017: Clay Irwin snagged images from the spy camera aimed at his house. L. Ron Hubbard explained how you could crush a planet between thumb and forefinger with OT powers. Scientology billionaires yoked the fortunes of the world’s biggest-selling drug to an ongoing windfall for Scientology. Tommy Davis’s Hollywood dream ended, and so did his marriage. Paulette Cooper turned 75.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2016: How the parents of a Kazakh woman got her back from the Sea Org. We marked the passing of Steve “Sarge” Pfauth at 70. We found that Joey Chait’s story was more complex than some had it. Rebecca McKee told us how she reunited with her high school sweetheart. And we said goodbye to Arlene Cordova.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2015: We wrote about Scientology’s day care from hell. Brian Sheen’s full Scientology story turned out to be pretty fascinating. Chris Shelton emceed us in Denver. And Nick Lister dished on Tom Cruise ruthlessly putting ethics in on his own family.

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2014: Our Independence Day special, when Jeremy Powers defied disconnection and came home. We said goodbye to John Joseph, a man who cared. Camilla Andersson went public after 29 years in Scientology. And we live-blogged ID network’s show on Elli Perkins (which featured your proprietor).

A LOOK BACK AT JULY 2013: Leah Remini defects, Shelly Miscavige speaks, Jim Lynch exteriorizes, and Christian Stolte rocks.

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Source Code: Actual things founder L. Ron Hubbard said on this date in history

Avast, Ye Mateys: Snapshots from Scientology’s years at sea

Overheard in the Freezone: Indie Hubbardism, one thought at a time

Past is Prologue: From this week in history at alt.religion.scientology

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