Kirstie Alley Defends Tom Cruise & Scientology

The always candid Kirstie Alley opened up to ET about Scientology and the recent, controversial Vanity Fair article (that claims Tom Cruise "auditioned" women as potential mates with the help of the Church of Scientology), explaining why she felt she needed to defend her friend.

Related: Tom Cruise Lawyer on VF Expose: 'Tired Old Lies'

"I think whenever you have articles written that are third and fourth parties' opinions – it's like the game Gossip and you don't get the truth – I think that a magazine of that caliber should have interviewed him, and then they would get the truth," explained Kirstie, a noted Scientologist herself. (Vanity Fair writer Maureen Orth told ET that she tried to get an interview with Tom but was denied.)

Kirstie added, "I think that probably all religions sound bizarre to the people who are not the practitioners of them. … To me it's so normal, and probably 90% of the crazy stuff I hear isn't true."

Video: What would Kirstie Alley do for a 'DWTS' Trophy?

Kirstie was in the Big Apple for the debut of friend and fashion designer Zang Toi's Spring 2013 collection for New York's Fashion Week. She also talked up her reunion with her pro partner Maks for the upcoming Dancing with the Stars: All-Stars…

Watch ET for more of our interview with Kirstie!