Their divorce is one of the most notorious in showbiz, with the downfall of their relationship as ardent as their love when they were together.
But while they were a famous married couple, they are perhaps even better known as exes – who appear to have gone out of their way to avoid bumping into one another decades after.
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman – who initially tied the knot in 1990 and were wed until 2001 – have become pros at dodging one another despite sharing two children and both being renowned Hollywood actors.
So skilled are the ex-partners that they were both no-shows at their daughter Isabella’s wedding in 2015.
Just last year, Tom is rumoured to have even ‘skipped the Oscars to avoid an awkward run-in’ with the star.
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman (pictured with her husband Keith Urban and their kids) risked a run-in this summer – as both were spotted attending the Paris Olympics
But the duo risked a run-in this summer – as both were spotted attending the Paris Olympics on the very same day.
On July 28, while Tom, 62, watched the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification at Bercy Arena, Nicole, 57, was just a 20 minute drive away at Place de la Concorde with her husband Keith Urban, where the pair watched the Women’s Street Final.
However, despite any potential awkwardness, the duo appeared to be in high spirits as they watched the sports – well away from one another.
Tom was even seen chatting up a storm with Lady Gaga and taking selfies with fans in attendance.
Elsewhere, Nicole was also spotted days later, with her husband and children, at the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Team Final – among the dozens gathered to cheer on Simone Biles.
The whole family appeared delighted with the sports they witnessed as they left, with Nicole grinning for cameras.
It comes as the actress – who rarely speaks about her time being married to Tom – made a rare departure recently while speaking about their work on Stanley Kubrick’s classic film Eyes Wide Shut.
The Oscar winner detailed the relationship the costars had with Kubrick while filming the dark drama in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
On July 28, while Tom, 62, watched the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification at Bercy Arena, Nicole, 57, was just a 20 minute drive away at Place de la Concorde with her husband Keith Urban , where the pair watched the Women’s Street Final
Tom was even seen chatting up a storm with Lady Gaga and taking selfies with fans in attendance
Tom appeared to enjoy the gymnastics (left). Elsewhere, Nicole was also spotted days later, with her husband and children, at the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Team Final – among the dozens gathered to cheer on Simone Biles
She opined that the director was ‘mining’ their marriage for material to flesh out the film, which premiered in 1999 and became a box office hit after grossing $162 million against a $65 million budget, according to Box Office Mojo.
The Top Gun star and the Big Little Lies actress spent years working on the film, which began production in 1996 and wrapped in 1998, before being released in the summer of 1999, giving it the record for the longest continuous film shoot at 400 days. Kubrick would die at age 70 just days after showing what was reportedly his final cut of the film to its stars.
Nicole described how the Clockwork Orange filmmaker would quiz her and Tom about their marriage as he helped them shape their performances.
It’s a far cry from the pair’s history of operating as passing ships – here, FEMAIL looks at the times the exes looked to walk the extra mile to avoid stepping anywhere near each other…
DISTANT AT PREMIERE
In 2001 – when the exes officially finalised their divorce – Nicole also had a movie coming out together called The Others. Pictured at a premiere in Los Angeles
As reported by the BBC , Tom still made an appearance at a premiere in Los Angeles, but came separately from his former wife, and the two didn’t see one another on their way into the screening
In 2001 – when the exes officially finalised their divorce – Nicole also had a movie coming out together called The Others.
As reported by the BBC, Tom still made an appearance at a premiere in Los Angeles, but came separately from his former wife, and the two didn’t see one another on their way into the screening.
While the pair are not understood to have interacted at all, it’s clear the divorce was a hot topic.
When asked if he found it odd that both he and Nicole were at the premiere, Tom dismissed any awkwardness, stating: ‘We’re here, we love what we do, we love films… we feel privileged to be doing something that we enjoy doing.’
However, Nicole had previously described the situation – including the timing of the split – as ‘bizarre’.
‘Yes, it is strange and bizarre and all of those things. But it is what it is,’ she said.
‘As my dad says: “Nic, it is what it is, it’s not what it should have been, not what it could have been, it is what it is.”‘
MISSING THEIR DAUGHTER’S WEDDING
Isabella Cruise , who was adopted by the couple two years after they wed in 1990, tied the knot with her British boyfriend Max Parker in a Scientology ceremony in London on September 18, 2015
As two of Hollywood’s biggest stars, they are never short of invitations to the most exclusive parties.
But when it came to their own daughter’s wedding, Tom and Nicole were notably absent from the guest list.
Isabella Cruise, who was adopted by the couple two years after they wed in 1990, tied the knot with her British boyfriend Max Parker in a Scientology ceremony in London on September 18, 2015.
Nicole was in the capital at the time, rehearsing for a West End play. But she is said to have been effectively ‘banned’ from attending – over fears that her presence would cause a ‘media circus’.
Tom is thought to have paid for the event, and the low-key ceremony is said to have featured a mixture of Scientology and Christian rituals.
She and her former husband adopted Isabella in 1992. They also adopted their son Connor in 1995 before divorcing in 2001. Both children went to live with their father. Nicole and Tom pictured with their kids in 1996
Followers of Scientology believe in unusual practices such as silent births and claim that humans are an exiled race from outer space called Thetans.
However their weddings are similar to ceremonies in other churches – featuring a bridal procession as well as a recital of vows between the bride and groom.
Only a small group of close friends were present for the wedding, with Isabella’s adopted brother Connor also staying away in a bid to keep the ceremony secret.
The family were said to support the marriage, and Nicole is believed to have met her daughter and her groom for a private dinner before the big day.
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘Isabella and Max met in London through friends. The ceremony was low-key but very expensive.
Nicole went on to marry country singer Keith Urban with whom she has two daughters. Nicole and Tom pictured with their kids when they were young
‘Tom picked up the bill and paid for everything, but it was decided that neither he nor Nicole should attend as it would have turned the whole event into a circus.
‘Nicole was actually involved with the wedding preparations and she did have a private dinner with Bella and Max. But she didn’t go to the ceremony. Also, the animosity between Tom and Nicole was probably a factor.’
She and her former husband adopted Isabella in 1992. They also adopted their son Connor in 1995 before divorcing in 2001. Both children went to live with their father.
Nicole went on to marry country singer Keith Urban with whom she has two daughters.
Tom married actress Katie Holmes, with whom he had a daughter called Suri, now 18. The pair wed in a Scientology ceremony in 2006, but split in 2012. Reports suggested they separated because Katie didn’t want to expose her daughter to the religion.
‘SKIPPING’ THE OSCARS
Last year it was rumoured that Tom ‘skipped’ the Oscars to ‘avoid an awkward run-in’ with Nicole (pictured at the Oscars in March, 2023)
Tom’s movie was nominated for six awards, including the coveted Best Picture Award. Pictured in 2022
Last year it was rumoured that Tom ‘skipped’ the Oscars to ‘avoid an awkward run-in’ with Nicole.
Insiders said the Top Gun: Maverick star was not at the ceremony due to his ex-wife being there – following their bitter divorce over 20 years ago.
Tom’s movie was nominated for six awards, including the coveted Best Picture Award.
A source told DailyMail.com: ‘Tom was not there because she was there, and he did not want a run-in.’
However, sources close to Tom claimed his absence was ‘not personal’ and was nothing more than scheduling difficulties, though they did not reply specifically to the claim that it was connected to Nicole’s presence.
Tom and his ex-wife have not been present at the same Oscars bashes this year and haven’t been seen at the same event for years.
Nicole – who walked Oscars red carpet with her country singer husband Keith before packing on serious PDA during the show – as notably absent from Oscars luncheon that was attended by her Scientologist ex the month prior.
Tom was seen embracing Steven Spielberg during the February 13 luncheon, as the director was heard on video telling he action star that Maverick had ‘saved Hollywood’s a**’ by bringing audiences back to theaters.
The couple met in 1990 when the two were cast together in Days of Thunder, a film about motor-racing.
The couple met in 1990 when the two were cast together in Days of Thunder, a film about motor-racing. Pictured as a young couple
A photographer captured this photo of Nicole leaving her attorney’s office when her divorce from Tom was finalized in 2001
She was 23 at the time and, coming from Australia, was unknown in Hollywood. That all changed when the stars sparked a real-life romance during the filming.
After 12 years of marriage, Tom walked out on his wife in 2001, leaving her in a state of ‘utter shock.’ He filed for divorce that same year, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’.
According to reports, the real reason for him abandoning her was due to her refusal to join the Church of Scientology.
In 2012, Nicole opened up about her painful split in an interview with DuJour Magazine.
‘I thought our life together was perfect. It took me a very long time to heal. It was a shock to my system,’ she said.
‘We were in a bubble, just the two of us. We became very dependent on one another. I was reeling with Tom,’ she told the outlet. ‘I would have gone to the ends of the earth for him…. I was totally smitten – I fell madly, passionately in love.’
Looking back, she told the outlet that she was ‘naïve’ to think that Tom was her happily ever after.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk