Cruise, Kidman: Scientology split?

Was Scientology an issue in the split between Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman?

MSNBC/February 6, 2001

The celebrity couple are two of the world's highest-profile followers of the controversial religion, but several sources say that Kidman was a less devout member of the church than Cruise - and they say that was one of the issues that contributed to the split.

One source who knows the couple believes that the degree to which they raised their children as Scientologists became "a major issue" between the two.

"Nicole has recently been saying things that clearly indicate she's not one hundred percent devoted to the religion," says another source who closely follows alternative religions and cults. In December 1998, for example, Kidman told Newsweek that she was a "mishmash" of various religions.

"There's a little Buddhism, a little Scientology," she said. "I was raised Catholic and a big part of me is still a Catholic girl."

During a British radio interview that year, she went even further. Appearing on a show called Desert Island Discs, Kidman was asked whether Scientology would help her if she were stranded on an island. "No," Kidman replied. When pressed, the actress explained that it is "Catholicism which will keep me going. I'm a Catholic girl. It will always stay with you."

The church did not respond to her comments, but Cruise, by comparison, has never publicly said anything that could be interpreted as a slight against Scientology.

Spokeswomen for the stars weren't available for comment, but issued a statement that career pressures are responsible for the "amicable" split.