Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood's most successful stars. Besides work, the actor always wanted a large brood, but unfortunately, he barely has a relationship with one of his children today. Follow along to learn why.
Tom Cruise has known nothing but success since he got into Hollywood with blockbusters such as "Mission: Impossible" and "The Firm" under his belt. Besides being one of the highest-grossing box office stars, he has won numerous accolades.
Cruise's busy career notwithstanding, the "Top Gun" actor has always been open about how much he loved children and wanted as many as ten.
Tom Cruise attends The 2008 MTV Movie Awards at Universal City on June 1, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. | Source : Getty Images
TOM CRUISE AND NICOLE KIDMAN
Over three decades after the "Knight and Day" actor's marriage to Nicole Kidman ended, their union remains a topic of admiration and criticism from those who knew them.
Cruise and Kidman met when Kidman was only 21. Cruise had asked the then-little-known Australian beauty to audition for the role of a leading lady in his film "Days of Thunder."
The first time she shook his hand, she reportedly felt the "electricity" rush through them. Luckily, Cruise felt the same way. However, he was still married to his first wife, Mimi Rogers.
Actor Tom Cruise and actress Nicole Kidman attend the 68th Annual Academy Awards on March 25, 1996 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles Music Center in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Shortly after meeting Kidman, Cruise, an ardent follower of the Church of Scientology, asked his friends at the church to help facilitate his divorce from Rogers to pave the way for him to marry Kidman.
Since then, the church's influence became a constant factor on them as individuals, in their marriage, and in how they chose to raise their kids. As a way of showing her role as a dutiful wife, Kidman, despite being raised Catholic, studied Scientology courses and, as journalist Tony Ortega would report:
"I talked to her auditor, Bruce Hines, and she got all the way up to OT II in two years. That means she was doing Scientology pretty much full-time for two straight years."
Actress Nicole Kidman and husband Tom Cruise with their children Isabella and Connor at Sidney Airport | Source: Getty Images
The duo then adopted two children, Isabella Jane and Connor Antony. Despite their seemingly perfect marriage, the couple split after 11 years together, after the "Oblivion" actor filed for divorce.
Kidman and Cruise's adopted kids stayed with the "Legend" actor following the shocking split. Even though Kidman denies it until today, Cruise and the kids' dedication to the church and Kidman's lack thereof caused plenty of tension, leading to their strained relationship.
KIDMAN AND HER CHILDREN'S STRAINED RELATIONSHIP
In 2018, during her acceptance speech at the Golden Globes Awards, fans noticed that Kidman thanked her biological children and not her adopted ones.
Connor Cruise and Bella at Hyde Staples on January 18, 2012 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
The fact raised speculation about the relationship between the "Birth" actress and her two older children. Others noted that she never did acknowledge them in any of her previous speeches.
Their relationship has been nothing to write home about following her split from Cruise over three decades ago. Sam Domingo, daughter-in-law of the world's most famous opera singer, Plácido Domingo, and a former church member spilled the beans on the actress's relationship with her children.
Speaking to DailyMail, she disclosed that Isabella and Connor had been "indoctrinated to hate Kidman" after her split from Cruise. The two reportedly lived in an isolated "boot camp" experience away from other kids, under the watchful eye of the second in command of the church's leadership.
Nicole Kidman at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on January 15, 2020 in Pasadena, California. | Source : Getty Images
Domingo shared that the church led Isabella and Connor into believing that their mother needed to be ex-communicated as she was a "suppressive person," a term the members used to refer to non-believers and defectors.
CRUISE FINDS LOVE AGAIN
After his split from Kidman, Cruise had a series of high-profile yet unsuccessful flings, but in 2005, he found a woman he would soon marry — Katie Holmes.
After Holmes disclosed that she always dreamed about marrying Cruise as a young girl, the actor contacted Holmes's manager asking to meet her, under the pretense that the creators of "Mission: Impossible" were considering Holmes for a role.
Actor Tom Cruise (R) and actress Katie Holmes arrive at the Los Angeles Fan Screening of "War of the Worlds" at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre on June 27, 2005 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
What followed was a whirlwind romance, and months later, the couple made their first public appearance, hand in hand, in Rome, with Cruise's rep confirming that they were dating. In June 2005, they became engaged and welcomed their first child together, daughter Suri in April 2006.
In November 2006, the couple exchanged vows in a lavish ceremony at the 15th-century Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano, Italy.
Actors Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise and their daughter Suri leave the midtown hotel on their way to dinner January 14, 2008 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
In the months that would follow, Holmes often praised Cruise for being a great father and husband and referred to Isabella and Conor as "incredible, really smart and kind." She happily shared:
"They call me 'Mom.'"
The "Abandon" actress often gushed over her family, praising Cruise for introducing her to new experiences she never thought would be part of her life. It was thus a shock when news of their split became public. Holmes disclosed that she no longer had the career or family life she'd always wanted.
According to L. A. Time Blogs, Holmes used a disposable phone to initially speak to her lawyers into initiating the divorce process without Cruise being aware of it. Cruise was shocked at the developments when Holmes's lawyer finally slapped him with the news.
After a quick, behind-closed-doors divorce settlement, Holmes also got primary custody of their daughter, Suri. Cruise would, however, still have a "meaningful relationship" with his daughter as the agreement provided for visitation rights.
CRUISE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS CHILDREN
For years following Cruise and Holmes's split, the actor did not get to see his daughter. And while he was not directly involved in her life, reports claimed that he still thought of her.
Tom Cruise and Suri Cruise visit Charles River Basin on October 10, 2009 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. | Source: Getty Images
During her 13th birthday on April 18, 2019, Cruise reportedly planned on calling and sending her a gift, though no one expected him to be physically at the party. An insider told Hollywood Life:
"As challenging as things have become for him and his daughter, he still loves her."
Rick Ross, an expert on the Church of Scientology, expounded on the almost non-existent father-daughter relationship linking it to Cruise's involvement in the church.
Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise are seen on September 08, 2020 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Since Holmes is considered a "Suppressive Person" and her daughter a "Potential Trouble Person," it would be almost impossible for Cruise to cultivate a relationship with his daughter as it is highly discouraged by the church.
The actor, however, has a good relationship with his older daughter Isabella who is a member of his church. Isabella says the Church of Scientology was "the missing part" that helped her make sense of her life.
She also married IT consultant Max Parker in a church ceremony her family did not attend. Kidman, who was rehearsing for a West End play, was effectively "banned" from attending – over fears that her presence would cause a media circus. Cruise and Conner were also absent from the ceremony.
Bella Cruise attends the private view of Tyler Shields: Decadence at Maddox Gallery on February 3, 2016 in London, England | Source: Getty Images
Regardless of his sister's failing relationship with Kidman, Connor shared that his relationship with his adoptive mom is solid. He told Woman's Day, as ET reports:
"I love my mom. I don't care what people say. I know that me and my mum are solid. I love her a lot."
He went on to say that his family meant everything to him and came before his music. That is a lot for a man who has made a career out of deejaying.
However, a career in music and film appeared unappealing to him, and he shunned the spotlight in exchange for a quiet life as a fisherman. He lives in Clearwater, Florida, and spends his days smoking prime meats and catching fish.
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