In a rare and unexpected moment, Hollywood icon Tom Cruise recently broke his long-standing silence about his ex-wife, Nicole Kidman, during an interview with E! News. This marks the first time in over two decades that the actor has publicly mentioned Kidman in the media, a revelation that has sparked widespread interest and conversation among fans and critics alike. The comments came as Cruise reflected on their collaboration in the 1999 psychological drama Eyes Wide Shut, directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick. The actor’s candid remarks have not only reignited public curiosity about one of Hollywood’s most high-profile former couples but also shed light on a significant chapter in both their personal and professional lives.
During the interview, Cruise discussed the casting process for Eyes Wide Shut, revealing that he had personally recommended Kidman for the role of Alice, the wife of his character, Dr. Bill Harford. “I recommended Nicole for the role because, obviously, she’s an incredible actress,” Cruise stated with a tone of admiration. This acknowledgment of Kidman’s talent, after 23 years of public silence, has been met with intrigue, especially considering the complex history between the two. The film, which explores themes of infidelity, desire, and psychological tension, required Cruise and Kidman to portray a married couple navigating a strained relationship—a dynamic that, in hindsight, some have speculated mirrored the real-life challenges the couple faced during their marriage.
Eyes Wide Shut was a significant project for both actors, not only because of its artistic ambition but also because it was the last film they worked on together before their divorce in 2001. The movie, which features several intimate and emotionally charged scenes, demanded a high level of trust and vulnerability between Cruise and Kidman. At the time of filming, the couple was still married, having tied the knot in 1990 after meeting on the set of Days of Thunder in 1989. Their relationship had been a focal point of media attention throughout the 1990s, with the pair often regarded as one of Hollywood’s golden couples. They adopted two children together, Isabella and Connor, and appeared to lead a charmed life in the public eye.
However, behind the scenes, their marriage faced significant challenges. Kidman has previously spoken about the intensity of their relationship during the filming of Eyes Wide Shut, noting that she was deeply immersed in her love for Cruise at the time. “I was so in love with Tom during that period,” she once shared in an interview. “We were living in this bubble of romance and creativity, working with Stanley Kubrick on this incredible film.” Yet, the demanding nature of the project, which required the couple to live on set for nearly two years, may have added strain to their relationship. Kubrick’s meticulous directing style and the film’s exploration of dark, intimate themes reportedly created an intense environment for the couple, both professionally and personally.
The marriage between Cruise and Kidman came to an abrupt end in 2001, just two years after the release of Eyes Wide Shut. The divorce shocked fans and the entertainment industry alike, as the couple had long been seen as a symbol of stability in the often tumultuous world of Hollywood relationships. Following the split, Cruise was granted custody of their two adopted children, a decision that Kidman has since described as deeply painful. In the years that followed, Kidman has been vocal about the emotional toll of the divorce, revealing that she felt blindsided by Cruise’s decision to end the marriage. “I begged him to stay, but he wouldn’t,” she once shared in a candid interview. “He left me with divorce papers and walked away without explanation. It was devastating.”
Kidman has also pointed to the influence of the Church of Scientology as a significant factor in the breakdown of their marriage. Cruise has been a prominent member of the church since the 1980s, and Kidman has claimed that her reluctance to fully embrace Scientology created tension in their relationship. She has suggested that the church played a role in alienating her from her children after the divorce, a claim that has been widely debated in the media. “Scientology drove a wedge between us,” Kidman stated in a past interview. “It was a haunting experience, and it took me years to heal from the loss of my family.”
For his part, Cruise has remained largely silent about the divorce and his relationship with Kidman—until now. His recent comments on E! News have sparked renewed interest in the dynamics of their marriage and the reasons behind their split. While Cruise’s remarks were brief and focused on Kidman’s professional abilities, they have prompted fans to revisit the couple’s history and speculate about whether this rare mention signals a shift in Cruise’s perspective on their past. Some have interpreted his words as a sign of respect and reconciliation, while others see it as a calculated move to generate buzz for his upcoming projects.
Tom Cruise, born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, is one of the most recognizable and successful actors in the world. He began his career at the age of 19 with a small role in the 1981 film Endless Love before skyrocketing to fame with his portrayal of Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun. The role cemented Cruise as a leading man in Hollywood, and he has since built a career defined by versatility, intensity, and a willingness to take on physically demanding roles. He is perhaps best known for his work as IMF agent Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible franchise, a series that has spanned nearly three decades and solidified his status as an action star. Cruise’s films have collectively grossed billions of dollars worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors in history.
Nicole Kidman, meanwhile, has also enjoyed a prolific career since her divorce from Cruise. The Australian actress has earned critical acclaim for her performances in films such as Moulin Rouge!, The Hours—for which she won an Academy Award—and more recently, Big Little Lies and The Undoing. Like Cruise, she has demonstrated remarkable range as an actress, taking on roles that span genres from drama to thriller to musical. Despite the challenges of her divorce, Kidman has rebuilt her life, marrying country singer Keith Urban in 2006 and welcoming two daughters with him. She has often spoken about the importance of resilience and growth in the face of personal hardship, and her career continues to thrive.
The public’s fascination with Cruise and Kidman’s relationship is a testament to their enduring star power and the cultural impact of their marriage. At the time of their divorce, tabloids and gossip columns were filled with speculation about what went wrong, and the story has remained a point of interest for fans over the years. Cruise’s recent comments, though brief, have reignited those conversations, with many wondering if the actor will continue to open up about his past in the future.
As Cruise prepares for the release of the next installment in the Mission: Impossible series, his legacy as one of Hollywood’s most enduring stars remains intact. His decision to speak about Kidman after 23 years of silence may be a small moment in his larger career, but it has resonated deeply with audiences who remember the couple’s time together. For now, fans can only speculate about what prompted Cruise to break his silence—and whether this rare glimpse into his past will lead to more revelations down the line.
