MADONNA - MADONNA: 'LEAVE CRUISE ALONE'

Superstar MADONNA has leapt to the defence of TOM CRUISE, after witnessing the actor receive criticism over his controversial Scientology religion.

After years of subtly practicing the religion, Cruise has began to speak more openly about his love for the Church of Scientology and has converted his pregnant fiancee KATIE HOLMES.

Madonna, who has been slammed over her following of the Kabbalah, insists Cruise is happy as a Scientologist and the public and media should respect his religion.

She tells the New York Daily News, "I find it very strange that it's (Scientology) so disturbing to people. It's not hurting anybody.

"If it makes Tom Cruise happy, I don't care if he prays to turtles. And I don't think anybody else should."

When discussing her love for the Kabbalah - a mystical offshoot of Judaism - Madonna is disgusted when critics label it a 'cult'.

She says, "We're all in a cult. In this cult we're not encouraged to ask questions. And if we do ask questions, we aren't going to get a straight answer.

"The world's in the cult of celebrity. That's the irony of it."