Tom Cruise has made a rare public comment about his ex-wife Nicole Kidman, over two decades after their divorce. In a recent interview with Sight and Sound magazine, Cruise reflected on their collaboration in Stanley Kubrick’s 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut, revealing that he had suggested Kidman for the role of Alice Harford, praising her.
“I suggested Nicole play the role. Because obviously she’s a great actress.”
This marks the first time in over 20 years that Cruise has spoken publicly about Kidman, whom he was married to from 1990 to 2001. The couple adopted two children together, Isabella and Connor, during their marriage. Since their separation, both have largely refrained from discussing their past relationship in the media.
“She knows why, and I know why. She’s the mother of my children, and I wish her well. And I think that you just move on. And I don’t say that lightly. I don’t say that with anything. Things happen in life, and you do everything you can, and in every possible way, and there’s a point at which you just sometimes have to face the brutal reality.”
Kidman has also shared reflections on their time filming Eyes Wide Shut, describing the experience as both intense and joyful. She recalled moments of camaraderie on set, including late-night go-kart racing and shared meals with Kubrick.
“We loved working with him. We shot that for two years. We had two kids and were living in a trailer on the lot primarily, making spaghetti because Stanley liked to eat with us sometimes. We were working with the greatest filmmaker and learning about our lives, and enjoying our lives on set. We were happily married through that. We would go go-kart racing after those scenes. We’d rent out a place and go racing at 3 in the morning. I don’t know what else to say. Maybe I don’t have the ability to look back and dissect it. Or I’m not willing to.”
The renewed attention to their past comes amid recent events, such as Kidman’s Mother’s Day post featuring her daughters with current husband Keith Urban, which notably excluded her older children with Cruise . Additionally, Cruise has been the subject of dating rumors involving actress Ana de Armas, though no official confirmation has been made.
While both have moved on personally and professionally, Cruise’s recent acknowledgment of Kidman’s talent offers a rare glimpse into their shared history and mutual respect.
