Nathan Rich (born February 13, 1982) is an American author, Scientology critic and content creator. He appeared on Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath alongside classmate Tara Reile about their experiences at the Scientology boarding school, the Mace-Kingsley Ranch School.[2][3]
Nathan Rich | |
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Born | (1982-02-13) February 13, 1982 (age 40) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Other names | Hotpot King (火锅大王) |
Occupation |
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Known for | Criticism of Scientology |
Television | Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath |
Relatives | Sharon Rich (aunt) |
Rich is the only child of Julie Miriam Rich, a pet communicator, who died from cancer in 2010.[1][2] He completed only two school grades, seventh and eighth grades, at Dunedin Academy. He spent four years at the Mace Kingsley Ranch when he was 8 and 14 years old. At 17, he left home and was later disconnected by his family.[4][5] He spent seven years homeless while using and dealing drugs[2] before attending community college.[1]
At 8 years old, Rich was sent to the Scientology boarding school, the Mace-Kingsley Ranch in Palmdale, California, and then again at age 14.[3][2] Rich alleges the Ranch was an abusive environment, with punishments including being scrubbed with a metal fence brush and paddling from the staff.[1][2][3]
In October 2017 Rich appeared in episode 17 of the U.S. documentary series, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath.[1]
Since moving to China, Rich has started a video blog sympathetic to the People's Republic of China.[6][7] Among the views he holds are that those who had taken part in the Hong Kong protests were "terrorists" and "right-wing",[8] and that Taiwan was an integral part of China and could therefore not be a state.[9] He has also commented on the China–United States trade war[10] and China's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.[11]
Third-generation Scientologists Nathan Rich and Tara Reile both attended the New Mexico Ranch in the late '90s, and outlined some of the treatment they say they received there.
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