From reportedly staged appearances to a deep rift fueled by religious beliefs, Tom Cruise’s relationship with his daughter has been anything but typical. Take a look inside the Hollywood star’s fractured bond with Suri, and why she reportedly claimed he “doesn’t exist” to her.
Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, welcomed a daughter, Suri, with actress Katie Holmes in the early 2000s. Since then, the Hollywood star’s relationship with Suri has reportedly been strained.
Now, as Suri reaches adulthood, reports have emerged that her father “does not exist” to her. The alleged reason behind this fractured bond is as complex as it is surprising.
The Rise and Fall of Tom and Katie’s Relationship
Tom and Katie seemed like the perfect Hollywood couple when they got together in 2005. By 2006, they were already welcoming their daughter, Suri, and later that year, they married in a highly publicized Italian wedding.
Behind the scenes, however, differences were growing, and Katie eventually filed for divorce in June 2012 after nearly six years of marriage. Their split was resolved quickly, with the couple settling in less than two weeks.
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise walked with their daughter, Suri, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 8, 2011. Captured during a brief period when they were still a family unit, this moment contrasts with their later estrangement and the complex relationship that followed. | Source: Getty Images
On October 8, 2011, Suri enjoyed a ride on the carousel at Schenley Plaza in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, holding a cherished stuffed panda by her side. This moment captured a rare, carefree day with her parents before their separation. | Source: Getty Images
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes attended Vanity Fair’s 18th annual Oscars party in 2012, exuding glamour amid a turbulent time in their marriage. This event marked one of their last public appearances before Katie’s surprising decision to file for divorce later that year. | Source: Getty Images
Specifics of the agreement were kept out of the public eye. However, during a court deposition, Tom later admitted that Katie left, in part, “to protect Suri from Scientology,” the religion with which he had a longstanding commitment.
When asked directly if the actress’s concern for their daughter’s involvement in Scientology was a factor in her decision, Tom replied, “Did she say that? That was one of the assertions, yes.”
After the divorce, the “Mission: Impossible” star and his ex-wife shared a brief statement, explaining their dedication to co-parenting Suri in a way that prioritized her well-being.
Tom’s spokesperson additionally shared, “Kate has filed for divorce and Tom is deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children. Please allow them their privacy.”
According to reports, Katie was granted primary custody of their daughter, while Tom received visitation rights under specific conditions.
Sources close to the family noted that Katie had been careful in crafting the terms, initially filing for sole custody to secure Suri’s future away from the practices of Scientology.
“Katie was really smart about how she did this,” one insider shared. Another source revealed, “Tom is really sad at the thought of not being able to see Suri.”
On October 8, 2011, Tom Cruise and his daughter were seen strolling through the streets of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Moments like these were rare for the father-daughter pair, whose relationship would soon be affected by the actor’s religious beliefs. | Source: Getty Images
On July 18, 2012, Tom Cruise and Suri were spotted together in New York. This sighting came shortly after the actor’s divorce from Katie Holmes, marking one of the last public moments between the actor and his daughter before their estrangement deepened. | Source: Getty Images
Tom Cruise’s Absence from His Daughter’s Life
Despite Tom allegedly having visitation rights, his relationship with Suri quickly faded. For years, the actor reportedly remained distant from his daughter, with sources citing his deep commitment to Scientology as the primary reason.
According to former Scientologist Samantha Domingo, Tom is “not allowed” to maintain a relationship with Suri because she is not part of the Church.
Samantha, who left the organization in 2004, shared that this absence is in line with Scientology’s strict rules regarding members’ relationships with non-believers, even if they are family.
The last public sighting of Tom with Suri dates back to 2013, about a year after Katie filed for divorce. Samantha speculated that this rare appearance was likely staged to counter public criticism.
“Maybe he did it for a photo op,” she suggested, explaining that it could have been an attempt “to make it seem like he was connected so he wouldn’t be criticized.”
Since then, the “Top Gun” icon has not been seen with Suri. His commitment to Scientology reportedly continues to create an unbridgeable divide, preventing any chance of rekindling a father-daughter bond.
By December 8, 2017, Suri had grown into a confident young girl, appearing at the Z100 Jingle Ball in New York. It had been years since she was last seen publicly with her father as she continued to embrace a life largely shaped by her mother. | Source: Getty Images
On July 22, 2019, Katie Holmes and Suri were spotted together in New York’s Upper West Side. With Tom absent from her life, Suri continued to grow up closely bonded with her mother, embracing a quieter, more private upbringing away from Hollywood’s spotlight. | Source: Getty Images
On September 8, 2020, Katie Holmes and her daughter were spotted enjoying a day out in New York. Now a teenager, Suri shared a close bond with her mother, who has raised her largely on her own, away from the limelight. | Source: Getty Images
Suri’s Life Without Tom and Her Bond with Her Mother
For the past 11 years, Katie has raised Suri alone, with little involvement from Tom beyond financial support. Although the actor contributed to Suri’s upbringing with a reported $400,000 per year in child support, he has not been present in her life since 2013.
As Suri grew up, she developed a strong connection with her mom, inheriting her love for fashion and creativity. However, unlike many children of celebrities, Suri has no interest in stepping into the limelight.
Instead, sources say she aims to remain “a private citizen” and chart a path entirely separate from Hollywood. On her recent 18th birthday, Suri officially cut all ties with Tom, as his child support obligations ended. Even as an adult, she reportedly has no plans to pursue a relationship with him.
According to a source, “Suri will not have any contact with her father, despite being 18, and even if he called, she would not answer. He does not exist to Katie or Suri, and his daughter does not want to rely on him for anything.”
Suri has allegedly also chosen to adopt her mother’s middle name, Noelle, as her surname, a decision reflecting her desire to establish her own identity while honoring Katie’s role in her life. One insider noted, “Suri feels that she has one parent, and that is her mother.”
Katie Holmes and Suri attended the opening night premiere of “In The Heights” during the Tribeca Festival on June 9, 2021, in New York. The mother-daughter duo made a rare public appearance together, showcasing their close bond as Suri grew into a young adult. | Source: Getty Images
In 2024, Suri celebrated her high school graduation in New York. Raised primarily by her mother, the teenager marked this milestone with a sense of independence, choosing a path distinct from her father as she embarked on her future. | Source: YouTube/Page Six
Suri celebrated her senior prom in New York in 2024, enjoying the milestone event with friends. Growing up mostly out of the public eye, Suri has embraced a private life under the guidance of her mother as she prepares for her next chapter. | Source: YouTube/Page Six
Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise’s split created a rift that left Suri growing up without her father, despite Tom’s financial contributions. Now 18, Suri has chosen to move forward, leaving any potential relationship with Tom in the past.
