You may be feeling a sense of déjà vu upon hearing about Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban‘s divorce, and for good reason—she’s been through a high-profile divorce before. Kidman’s romantic history is as captivating as her film roles, marked by her marriage to fellow Hollywood star Tom Cruise, which has left an indelible mark on her life and career.
The ’90s saw the birth of Kidman and Cruise’s love story, with the Hollywood star couple occupying every headline over the next decade and beyond. Their journey began in early 1990 on the set of *Days of Thunder*, where Cruise played race car driver Cole Trickle, and Kidman portrayed his love interest, Dr. Claire Lewicki. Their chemistry was palpable, and it wasn’t long before they became one of Tinseltown’s most talked-about couples.
Months after their initial meeting, and less than a year after Cruise finalized his divorce from Mimi Rogers, the couple wed in a private ceremony in Colorado on Christmas Eve. At the time, Cruise was 28, while Kidman was just 23. Reflecting on her youthful decision to marry, Kidman later remarked in a 2016 interview with *Red Magazine*, “I was so young when I got married. I look back now and I’m like, ‘What?’”
During their marriage, the couple adopted two children: daughter Isabella in 1992 and son Connor in 1995. Their family life seemed idyllic, and they even shared the screen in several films, including *Far and Away* and Stanley Kubrick’s controversial *Eyes Wide Shut*. In a 2020 interview with *The New York Times*, Kidman fondly recalled their time filming the latter, stating, “We were happily married through that. We would go go-kart racing after [intense] scenes. We’d rent out a place and go racing at three in the morning.”
However, less than two years after the release of *Eyes Wide Shut*, Cruise shocked the world by filing for divorce in February 2001, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple’s statement at the time mentioned the difficulties of their divergent careers, suggesting that an amicable separation was in their best interest. Despite the public nature of their split, the reasons behind it have remained largely private. Kidman attempted to downplay the situation during a late-night appearance on *The David Letterman Show*, humorously quipping, “Um, yeah I get a lot of questions. Well, I can wear heels now!” This comment referenced the notable height difference between her and Cruise.
In the years following their divorce, Kidman has been candid about the emotional toll it took on her. In a 2006 interview with *Ladies’ Home Journal*, she described the split as a “major shock,” expressing that while she loved Cruise, the public perception of him as a megastar was overwhelming. “He was huge; still is. To me, he was just Tom, but to everybody else, he is huge. But he was lovely to me. And I loved him. I still love him,” she shared.
As time passed, Kidman reflected on her first marriage in a 2012 interview with *DuJour* magazine, stating, “I thought our life together was perfect. It took me a very long time to heal. It was a shock to my system…We became very dependent on one another. I was reeling with Tom. I would have gone to the ends of the earth for him…. I was totally smitten – I fell madly, passionately in love.”
For his part, Cruise has remained tight-lipped about the reasons for their separation, even amid speculation that the Church of Scientology, of which he is a prominent member, played a role in their split. He reportedly told *Vanity Fair* after their divorce, “She knows why, and I know why [we divorced]. She’s the mother of my children, and I wish her well. And I think that you just move on.”
Since their divorce, Cruise has moved on with actress Katie Holmes, with whom he shares a daughter, Suri, before their split in 2012. He is now rumored to be dating actress Ana de Armas. Meanwhile, Kidman married country music star Keith Urban in 2006, and the couple enjoyed a seemingly strong relationship for nearly two decades before recently filing for divorce.
The unfolding of Kidman’s romantic life continues to captivate audiences, drawing parallels between her past and present. As she navigates this new chapter, her resilience and ability to adapt remain a testament to her strength, both personally and professionally.
