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Tom Cruise makes rare comment about ex, Nicole Kidman, 24 years after divorce


Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban
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nicole kidman and tom cruise

A Glimpse Into Tom’s Thoughts on Nicole After Two Decades

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were once one of Hollywood’s most famous couples. Though they split up 24 years ago, their story still sparks curiosity.

Recently, Tom made a rare public comment about Nicole. This surprised many fans who thought their past was long behind them, leading them to question what made him speak now?

White flowers wedding decorations.

Their Marriage

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman met in 1989 while filming Days of Thunder. They got married on December 24, 1990, in Colorado, when Nicole was just 23 years old.

Nicole later reflected on their whirlwind romance, saying, “He basically swept me off my feet. I fell madly, passionately in love.”

Parents swinging child by the arms.

Their Children

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman adopted two children during their marriage. Their daughter, Isabella Jane Cruise, was born in December 1992 in Miami, Florida, and was adopted shortly after birth.

Their son, Connor Anthony Cruise, was born in 1995 and adopted as an infant. The couple chose adoption after Kidman experienced an ectopic pregnancy early in their marriage.

Close-up shot of the torn divorce decree and engagement rings.

Divorce

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman announced their separation in February 2001 after 11 years of marriage. Their representative cited “difficulties inherent in divergent careers which constantly kept them apart” as the reason for their split.

Cruise filed for divorce two days later, citing irreconcilable differences. Kidman reflected on the breakup, stating, “I’m starting to understand now [why we broke up]. At the time, I didn’t.”

Popcorn and movie clapper board on the table.

‘Eyes Wide Shut’

In 1999, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman starred together in Stanley Kubrick’s final film, Eyes Wide Shut. Kubrick employed unconventional methods, such as directing Cruise and Kidman separately and restricting their off-set interactions.

Despite the demanding process, both actors have reflected positively on the experience. In a recent interview, Cruise praised Kidman’s performance, stating he had recommended her for the role.

Nicole Kidman

Suggesting Nicole for the Role

In a rare 2025 interview with Sight and Sound Magazine, Tom Cruise opened up about his ex-wife. He talked about their collaboration on he 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut.

When asked about why he recommended Nicole for the role of Alice, he stated, “Because obviously she’s a great actress.” Tom then talked about flying to director Stanley Kubrick’s home to discuss the project, emphasizing his familiarity with Kubrick’s work and his desire for Nicole to be part of the film.

Tom Cruise at an event.

Tom’s Recent Comment

This comment by Tom Cruise marked one of the few times Cruise has publicly spoken about Kidman since their 2001 divorce. Their collaboration on the film, directed by Stanley Kubrick, was both professionally significant and personally challenging.

The intense filming process mirrored complexities in their real-life relationship. Despite their separation, Cruise’s recent comments highlight a continued respect for Kidman’s acting abilities

Silhouette of people working at a production set.

Working with Kubrick

Filming Eyes Wide Shut with director Stanley Kubrick was a long and tough experience for Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. The shoot lasted over 15 months, setting a record for the longest continuous film shoot.

Kubrick was known for doing many takes of the same scene; for example, Cruise had to walk through a door 95 times to get the perfect shot. The film was Kubrick’s last, as he passed away shortly after completing it.

Nicole Kidman at the 47th Academy of Country Music Awards.

Nicole’s Reflection

Nicole Kidman shared that director Stanley Kubrick used her real-life marriage to Tom Cruise as inspiration for their film Eyes Wide Shut. She said, “I suppose he was mining it,” meaning he drew ideas from their relationship.

Kubrick asked many questions about their marriage to shape the story. Nicole also remembered spending weeks rehearsing scenes, including one where they talked in bed.

many tractor trailers

On-Set Memories

While filming Eyes Wide Shut, Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise shared a trailer on set. Even though they had a home just 10 minutes away, director Stanley Kubrick insisted they stay on site, saying, “You’re not each getting a trailer. We can’t afford it.”

Inside the trailer, Tom had a smaller area where he often played the video game Minesweeper during breaks. They also spent time cooking meals together, with Kubrick occasionally joining them for dinner.

Tom Cruise at an event.

Tom’s Career

After his divorce from Nicole Kidman in 2001, Tom Cruise continued to star in major films. He played Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible series, performing daring stunts himself.

The latest film, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, is set to release in May 2025. The film is expected to conclude the franchise.

Nicole Kidman at Cannes Film Festival

Nicole’s Career

After her divorce from Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman’s acting career flourished. In 2003, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for portraying writer Virginia Woolf in The Hours.

This role showcased her ability to transform into complex characters. In 2024, Nicole received the AFI Life Achievement Award, recognizing her significant contributions to the film industry.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

Tom’s Family

After divorcing Nicole Kidman in 2001, Tom Cruise began dating actress Katie Holmes in 2005. They got engaged that same year and welcomed their daughter, Suri Cruise, on April 18, 2006.

A few months later, in November 2006, Tom and Katie married in a grand ceremony at Odescalchi Castle in Italy. However, their marriage ended in 2012 when Katie filed for divorce.

Silhouette of happy family together.

Nicole’s Family

Nicole Kidman married country singer Keith Urban in June 2006. They have two daughters together: Sunday Rose, born on July 7, 2008, and Faith Margaret, born on December 28, 2010.

Sunday has shown interest in acting and directing, while Faith enjoys music and art. The family often keeps their personal life private but occasionally shares moments on social media.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban

Public Comments

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman rarely talk about their past marriage. Nicole also seldom discusses their relationship.

In a past interview, she explained that she avoids talking about Tom out of respect for her current husband, Keith Urban, saying, “I have a husband now. I feel out of respect for him, I don’t want to talk about that.”

Talking about divorces, Emily Osment confirms split 5 months after tying the knot.

Ana de Armas at the Golden Globe Awards.

Recent Sightings

Tom Cruise & Ana de Armas sparked romance buzz as the two were seen together multiple times, leading to speculation about their relationship. Despite these outings, neither has confirmed a romantic relationship.

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