Tom Cruise Finally Mentions Nicole Kidman After 20 Years—But It’s Far From a Warm Reunion

Tom Cruise Finally Talks About Nicole Kidman After 20+ Years—and It’s Not Exactly a Love Letter

You’d think that after more than two decades, Tom Cruise might have something heartfelt to say about his marriage to Nicole Kidman. Or at least offer a kind word that doesn’t sound like a flex. But apparently, even after 20 years of silence, Cruise managed to stir up fresh intrigue—and maybe even a few eye rolls.

Let’s rewind for a second. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were one of the most iconic power couples of the '90s. Married in 1990 when Kidman was just 23, the two lit up red carpets and shared the screen in Stanley Kubrick’s sensual psychological drama Eyes Wide Shut. But just over a decade later, their seemingly perfect romance came crashing down.

Back in 2002, just a year after their divorce, Cruise made his last public comments about Kidman to Vanity Fair. When asked about the reason behind their split, Cruise kept it vague and cryptic, saying only, “Nicole knows why.” That was it—no details, no elaboration. And for the next 20 years? Nothing but silence.

Flash Forward to 2025—and a Subtle Nod to the Past

Now, in the June 2025 issue of Sight and Sound magazine, Cruise finally drops a remark that actually includes his ex-wife’s name. It’s technically a compliment... but it’s also kind of a backhanded one. Talking about Eyes Wide Shut, Cruise reflected on how he got involved with the film and, apparently, how Nicole did too.

“I flew out to [Kubrick’s] house, and I landed in his backyard. I read the script the day before and we spent the day talking about it,” Cruise said. “I knew all of his films. Then it was basically he and I getting to know each other. And when we were doing that, I suggested Nicole play the role [of Alice]. Because, obviously, she’s a great actress.”

Wait, did Tom just take credit for getting Nicole a role in a Stanley Kubrick movie? Bold move.

Let’s break this down. Cruise’s quote makes it sound like he was doing Kidman a favor by recommending her. But here’s the twist: reports from The New York Times back in 1999 revealed that Kubrick specifically wanted a real-life couple to play the leads in his intense erotic drama. His original top picks? Alec Baldwin and then-wife Kim Basinger.

So, yeah—it’s very likely that if Kubrick was eyeing Cruise, he was already planning to bring Kidman into the mix too. Tom might’ve suggested her, sure, but saying she got the role “because obviously she’s a great actress” feels more like a low-effort nod than sincere praise.

Nicole’s Side of the Story: Heartbreak and Shock

Meanwhile, Kidman has been a bit more open about how things ended—and how hard it hit her. In a 2012 interview with DuJour magazine (via People), she dropped some major truths.

“I believed our life together was perfect,” Kidman confessed. “I fell madly, passionately in love… I was reeling with Tom. I would have gone to the ends of the earth for him.”

Now, that’s how you talk about someone you once loved. No cryptic answers, no passing the buck.

The Oscar-winning actress admitted she was completely blindsided by the divorce, calling it “a shock to my system.” She explained that the couple had been in a “bubble,” just the two of them, completely dependent on each other. And while she hinted at having some idea about what went wrong, the pain was clearly still raw.

“We were in a bubble, just the two of us,” she said. “We became very dependent on one another.”

A Compliment or a Self-Centered Shoutout?

So here we are, in 2025, and the Top Gun star finally breaks his silence with what looks like a compliment—but also reads like he’s still the main character in the story. The internet, naturally, isn’t buying it entirely.

Is it possible that Cruise genuinely meant to praise Kidman? Sure. But the wording—“because, obviously, she’s a great actress”—feels like something you say when you’re forced to acknowledge someone’s talent but don’t want to go too deep. It’s like saying, “She’s good, I guess.” Especially considering it took him 20 years to say anything about her, it’s hard not to read between the lines.

And let’s not forget, this isn’t the first time Cruise has been accused of being emotionally reserved or vague when it comes to his personal life. The man can do his own stunts, fly helicopters, and scale skyscrapers, but when it comes to emotional vulnerability? Not so much.

Let’s Talk About Timing

Why now? That’s the big question. Why did Cruise finally mention Kidman, and why in an interview about Eyes Wide Shut of all things? Maybe it’s just the anniversary buzz around the film, or maybe he’s feeling reflective. Whatever the reason, the timing definitely stirred up old Hollywood drama.

Here’s a quick reminder of the timeline:

• 1990: Cruise and Kidman get married.

• 1999: They star together in Eyes Wide Shut.

• 2001: Divorce finalized.

• 2002: Cruise tells Vanity Fair that “Nicole knows why” they split.

• 2012: Kidman opens up about the heartbreak to DuJour.

• 2025: Cruise finally says something again—and it’s a half-compliment.

So, What Does It All Mean?

It means that even after two decades, people are still fascinated by the Cruise-Kidman love story—and the messy ending that followed. Fans of both stars have spent years wondering what really happened between them, and every tiny detail that leaks out just adds fuel to the fire.

And let’s be honest: the idea that Tom Cruise doesn’t really know how to give a proper compliment? That kind of tracks. Especially when it’s aimed at an ex who, by all accounts, was once the love of his life.

Final Thoughts: Compliments, Confusion, and Classic Cruise

In the end, Tom’s latest quote might not be scandalous, but it’s definitely interesting. It gives us a tiny glimpse into how he remembers that period of his life—and how he talks about someone he once shared a decade of marriage with.

Maybe he thought he was being nice. Maybe he didn’t realize how his words would come across. Or maybe, just maybe, he still hasn’t fully made peace with how things ended—and that’s why even a compliment sounds complicated.

Whatever the case, one thing’s for sure: when it comes to Cruise and Kidman, the story still isn’t over.