What Did Tom Cruise Do the Day after Missing His Daughter Suri’s Graduation?

Suri Cruise recently celebrated a significant milestone: graduating from high school. The teenager marked the occasion with her mother, Katie Holmes, by her side. However, her famous father was nowhere to be seen.

Social media users called out Tom Cruise when it was revealed where he was the day after he did not attend his daughter’s graduation. The action star’s absence on such a special day follows shocking details of his relationship with his daughter and why he reportedly hasn’t seen her in over a decade.

Tom Cruise’s Absence During His Daughter’s Milestone

In June 2024, Suri Cruise exuded happiness and excitement as she celebrated her graduation. The joyous occasion took place at the United Palace Theatre in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.

Suri wore a delicate white dress underneath her traditional red graduation robe. The daughter of two actors accessorized with white sandals adorned with floral details.

Her long brunette hair was styled simply yet elegantly. This look framed her face and highlighted her natural beauty. Suri’s mother, who was in attendance, donned light yellow pleated pants and a collared long-sleeve shirt.

Suri was filmed enthusiastically hugging fellow graduates and taking pictures. Notably, the graduation ceremony pamphlet listed Suri as “Suri Noelle,” omitting her father’s famous last name.

Just a few days before her graduation, Suri attended her high school senior prom. The teenager wowed in a stunning patterned bodice-style gown as she posed with friends on the streets of New York City.

Suri accessorized her high-low dress with a simple black clutch and strappy gold heels. She completed her look with a pink rose corsage and a mauve lip color to match her gown.

The 18-year-old looked every bit like her mother as she was spotted hugging and laughing with her friends. However, despite the celebratory atmosphere of these milestones, one significant absence was noted: her father’s.

The Fractured Relationship Between Tom Cruise and His Daughter

For over a decade, Suri has lived under the cloud of public scrutiny. This has been largely due to her strained relationship with her father. This estrangement began when Suri was just six years old.

In 2012, her parents underwent a highly publicized divorce. Suri’s mother reportedly orchestrated the split with a lot of planning. The actress allegedly used burner phones and legal strategies to get custody of Suri.

Tom was reportedly taken by surprise by Katie’s actions. He was on the set of “Oblivion” in Iceland when the public caught wind of their separation. During the divorce proceedings, Katie was awarded sole custody of her daughter. It was reported that the actress wanted to distance herself and Suri from Tom’s controversial Scientology faith.

That same year, Tom filed a defamation lawsuit against Bauer Media. Transcripts from the lawsuit caught the actor’s admission that he had not seen Suri for three months following his and Katie’s split.

He and Suri were last seen together at Disney World in the summer of 2012. “Listen, when there is a divorce…things change. It’s not an ideal scene. It’s not an ideal situation,” Tom reportedly told lawyers in 2013.

During a deposition for the lawsuit, the “Top Gun” star confessed that his ties to Scientology played a role in why he no longer saw Suri. When asked whether Katie had left him “in part to protect Suri from Scientology,” Tom responded at the time, “That was one of the assertions, yes.”

Scientology has strict rules and beliefs. They often cause members to cut off contact with non-believers. This practice is known as “disconnection.” Since neither Suri nor Katie were Scientologists, Tom reportedly could not have a relationship with either one.

“This is his loss, his issue, his problem,” a source said. “He must be really brainwashed.” In October 2018, it was revealed that Tom had been granted visitation rights during the divorce, which allowed him to see Suri up to ten days a month. However, the actor chose not to exercise these rights.

Tony Ortega was the editor-in-chief of The Village Voice and a critic of Scientology. He reported that Katie probably signed “some nondisclosure agreement saying she wouldn’t say anything bad about Scientology.” This was allegedly to ensure she had primary custody of Suri. “She wanted to get away and she wanted to get Suri,” Tony explained.

Sources close to Suri have indicated that she has no intention of rekindling a relationship with her father. “Tom does not exist to her. Suri will not have any contact with her father, despite being 18, and even if he called, she would not answer,” a source revealed.

“He does not exist to Katie or Suri, and his daughter does not want to rely on him for anything. She feels that she has one parent and that is her mother,” they continued.

As for Suri’s future, Mike Rinder, a former Scientology spokesperson, said, “Suri is not a Scientologist and never will be…she deserves love and sympathy.” Despite not having a personal relationship with his daughter, Tom reportedly still fulfilled his financial obligations outlined in his and Katie’s divorce agreement.

Tom agreed to pay Katie $400,000 annually for Suri’s care until she turned 18. Additionally, he covered Suri’s medical, dental, insurance, education, college, and other extracurricular costs.

Where Was Tom Cruise during Suri’s Graduation?

While Suri was seen celebrating her graduation, her father was spotted at one of Taylor Swift’s concerts the following day. This sighting showed Tom dancing in the VIP box at Taylor’s Wembley gig, part of her Eras tour.

The event drew an A-list lineup. Attendees included Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Hugh Grant, among others. Tom was seen enjoying the concert with Taylor’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce. The actor was also joined by his “Mission: Impossible” director and friend, Christopher McQuarrie.

Fans were both surprised and amused by the footage of Tom at the concert. Many commented on social media about how unexpected it was to see the Hollywood icon in such a setting. Clips of Tom dancing to “Blank Space” circulated widely.

Some fans noted that he looked out of place and seemed unfamiliar with the song’s lyrics. However, other social media users expressed disappointment and disapproval of Tom’s actions. They believed the actor should have chosen his daughter’s graduation over the concert.

“What’s wrong with him? Be a father for God’s sake,” one person commented. “It’s sad. He hasn’t been a dad to her for a long time. I can’t imagine having a relationship like that with my child. Priorities are seriously messed up,” another person typed. A third comment read, “So sad for that young lady but better off without him in her life.”

Tom’s estranged relationship with his daughter is especially interesting as the actor shares a longstanding connection with Dakota Fanning. This bond, which has lasted nearly two decades, starkly contrasts the actor’s relationship with Suri.

Tom and Dakota’s connection began on the set of the 2005 film “War of the Worlds.” Tom played Ray Ferrier, a father protecting his children during an alien invasion. Dakota played his daughter. On her 11th birthday, Tom gifted the child star a Motorola Razr, her first cell phone.

Dakota treasured the gift, despite revealing that she had no one to call or text at the time. This gesture was not a one-time occurrence. Tom maintained this tradition of sending birthday gifts to Dakota every year. This practice continued even when the actress turned 30 in 2023.

The story of Tom Cruise’s relationship with his daughter is complex and emotional. It is marked by estrangement and public scrutiny. Suri celebrated significant milestones in 2024. However, her father’s absence highlighted the ongoing rift caused by personal choices.