Photo Credit: MUSYOKI EMMANUEL Mwendwa
In a rare and candid interview with the ‘Los Angeles Times’, Nicole Kidman, 57, offered a glimpse into her past marriage with Tom Cruise while discussing the 25th anniversary of their film, “Eyes Wide Shut”. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, the 1999 film delved into a couple’s complex relationship, with Kidman and Cruise playing the lead roles.
Kidman reflected on how Kubrick might have drawn from her real-life relationship with Cruise to shape the film’s narrative. “I suppose he was mining it,” Kidman said, adding that Kubrick was interested in various ideas and would ask many questions. However, she emphasized that Kubrick had a clear vision for the story he wanted to tell.
The production of “Eyes Wide Shut” was an intense experience, taking two years to complete. During this time, Kidman and Cruise shared a trailer on set, a unique situation given their star status. They often cooked together with Kubrick and co-star Sydney Pollack, forming a close-knit group. “By the end, we’re learning how to make pasta because [Pollack’s] a great cook,” Kidman recalled, reminiscing about the artichoke pasta and roast chicken they often enjoyed.
Despite the eventual dissolution of their marriage in 2001 after 11 years together, Kidman’s reflections were tinged with nostalgia. She spoke warmly of their time working with Kubrick and the shared moments on set. Kidman, now married to country music star Keith Urban since 2006, rarely discusses her past with Cruise, making her recent comments particularly noteworthy.
Their marriage, which began in 1990, was marked by high public interest and two adopted children, Bella and Connor. The couple’s high-profile relationship and eventual divorce have been a point of public fascination, but Kidman has often focused on her current family life and career achievements.
Cruise, on the other hand, married Katie Holmes in 2006, with whom he had a daughter, Suri, before they divorced in 2012. Despite the personal challenges following her
divorce from Cruise, Kidman has continued to thrive professionally, as highlighted byher reflection on winning an Oscar for ‘The Hours’ amid personal turmoil .
This rare insight into Kidman’s past with Cruise and her experiences on the set of “Eyes Wide Shut” offers a poignant look at a significant period in her life and career, marked by both professional triumphs and personal challenges.
