Once hailed as Hollywood's quintessential couple in the 1990s, Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise's seemingly perfect marriage ended in a much-discussed separation in 2001, after twelve years together and the adoption of two children, Connor and Isabella.
Speculations surrounding their breakup ranged from Cruise's rumored eccentricities and Scientology affiliation to the impact of their joint role in Stanley Kubrick's 1999 film "Eyes Wide Shut," an erotic thriller exploring marital challenges.
Addressing the long-standing rumors, Kidman, who has been reticent about her ex-husband and their marriage, spoke candidly in an interview with The New York Times. Contrary to the narrative linking their separation to the film's tumultuous production, Kidman asserted, “At that time Tom and I were happily married. We were working with the best filmmaker, learning about our lives, and enjoying our lives on set.”
Now happily married to musician Keith Urban, with whom she shares two daughters, Kidman reminisced about the intimate moments during the filming of "Eyes Wide Shut." She recalled living in a trailer on set with their two children, cooking spaghetti because Kubrick enjoyed eating with them. Despite the initially planned three-month shoot extending to a year and a half, Kidman fondly remembers those days as happy, citing late-night go-kart racing with Cruise after filming as a cherished memory.
The actress, now 53, rarely delves into her past with Cruise. In a previous interview with People magazine, Kidman explained her reticence by stating, “I am now married to the man who is my great love, and talking about my previous partner seems almost disrespectful to me.”
However, in a 2012 interview with Dujour magazine, she revealed the depth of their love, describing it as intense and passionate, admitting that she was blinded by the romance. She shared the challenges of recovery after Cruise's decision to end their marriage, calling it a shock to her system.
While Kidman seldom revisits her love story with Cruise, her recent revelation challenges the narrative linking their separation to the film's production, offering a new perspective on the dynamics of their relationship during that period.
