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Ah, 2004—a year whenFRIENDSwas saying its final goodbye, mini skirts were the fashion statement, and a celebrity couple lit up the headlines: Tom Cruise and Penélope Cruz. Their romance shone bright like a neon sign, but just as quickly, it dimmed, allegedly due to a dash of ex-drama.
Now, why would a handsome action star and an Oscar-winning actress go their separate ways after three years of dating bliss, you ask? The Evening Standard reported that Cruz got a little weary of herVanilla Skyco-star’s lasting friendship with his ex-wife, Nicole Kidman. Can you even blame her? It’s tough to build a relationship when your partner’s ex is still on the scene.
Tom Cruise & Penélope Cruz’s Love Story That Couldn’t Last
The romance betweenTom Cruiseand Penélope Cruz ignited inearly2001 on the set ofVanilla Sky. At that time, the former, 62, was still tied to Nicole Kidman, but don’t fret—Cruz and Cruise insisted that their sparks didn’t fly until the cameras stopped rolling.
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The actress toldThe Telegraphin 2008:
I’ve never fallen in love with someone I’m working with. It’s always been afterwards.
During their relationship, they kept things under wraps. Aside from a few public outings and a 2003 Marie Claire interview (viaEW) where Cruise gushed about surprising Cruz with her favorite meals and romantic baths, they played it coy. TheTop Gunstar said, proving that sometimes the way to the heart is through a well-cooked meal:
She’ll come home, and I’ll have her favorite kind of food made, have a bath drawn. I like doing stuff like that.
But, as with many great romances, their love story eventually ran its course. By 2004, Cruz’s representatives announced the split toPeople, claiming it was “amicable” and emphasizing,“there is no other person involved.” But behind the scenes, stories suggested otherwise.
Sources hinted that Cruise’s past, specifically his friendship with Nicole Kidman, was a sticking point.The Evening Standardreported that Cruz grew weary of this lingering connection, especially when Cruise, told reporters:
I have always loved Nic and I always will. Always.
Ouch! Talk about a romantic double whammy! TheRisky Businessstar first crossed paths with Kidman on the set ofDays of Thunderin 1990. The sparks flew, and the couple tied the knot in December of that same year. However, after a decade of marriage, Cruise filed for divorce in 2001, citing irreconcilable differences (seeToday).
The Heartfelt Confession: Tom Cruise’s Love for Penélope Cruz
Back in 2002, Tom Cruise graced the cover ofVanity Fair, and boy, was it a doozy! The world was reeling from his shocking divorce fromNicole Kidman, but Cruise was busy falling head over heels for hisVanilla Skyco-star,Penélope Cruz.
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TheRain Manactor couldn’t stop raving about how romantic Cruz was, likening her to the legendary Audrey Hepburn:
As a person and on film, she invites you in, and she’s incredibly romantic. And yet real, you know? She’s beautiful. She’s a very skilled actress, but has an effortless quality about her. You look at Audrey Hepburn. She had that kind of elegance and yet was accessible.
Yet, despite the fairy-tale vibes, Cruise was juggling a lot at the time, from the aftermath of his split with Kidman to producing a handful of films. But he didn’t let that pressure dim his romantic glow—he was determined to make this relationship with Cruz work. Unfortunately, after three years, it came to a screeching halt in 2004.
Cruz has found her happily ever after with Spanish actor Javier Bardem since 2010. And while her relationship with Cruise flickered and faded, it left us with the timeless reminder that in love, as in life, it’s not just about the people you date but also the ones they’ve dated before!
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
