Scarlett Johansson has shut down a claim by a former Scientologist that she “auditioned” to be Tom Cruise’s girlfriend.

Ex-Scientologist Brendan Tighe said in an interview on US program Megyn Kelly Today that he found a list of women who had applied to be in a relationship with Cruise after his 2001 split from Nicole Kidman – and that Scarlett was one of them.

“The very idea of any person auditioning to be in a relationship is so demeaning,” Johansson said in a statement to E! News.

“I refuse for anyone to spread the idea that I lack the integrity to choose my own relationships. Only a man AKA Brendan Tighe would come up with a crazy story like that.”

The Church Of Scientology also denied that such “auditions” took place.

“Brendan Tighe was a Church of Scientology Flag Service Organisation security guard/night watchman from 2002 to 2009,” a spokesperson said.

“The ‘access’ he boasts of having was largely limited to viewing security cameras from a guard booth. He was removed from that position for dereliction of duty.”

“Brandon Tighe’s claims are fraudulent,” the spokesperson added. “This is a tabloid myth spread by bigots and Today should be ashamed for repeating it.”

Scarlett is currently in a relationship with SNL funnyman Colin Jost.