Nicole Kidman found love again after her divorce from Tom Cruise. Recently, she opened up about her marriage to the “Mission Impossible” actor and has candidly discussed their on-screen and off-screen partnership.
In a recent interview, Nicole Kidman offered a rare glimpse into how it was working with her ex-husband, Tom Cruise on Stanley Kubrick’s 1999 thriller, “Eyes Wide Shut.” The film, known for its intense and mysterious narrative, also holds stories of meticulous filmmaking, especially the scenes shared by Nicole and Tom.
![Nicole Kidman during the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/6b83c4415c76d347e9a68636dc30c4bf259b8e1386873a695f6774d87c830d1a.jpeg)
Nicole Kidman during the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
The actress revealed that one of the pivotal scenes, where her character smokes a spliff in bed and delivers a lengthy monologue, took weeks to perfect. “Maybe that was an exaggeration,” Nicole laughed, recalling the time spent on that particular scene.
“It was the scene with Tom and I where I start by smoking the spliff in bed and where I laugh and deliver the long monologue. That took many weeks,” she noted.
![Tom Cruise kissing Nicole Kidman in a scene from the film 'Eyes Wide Shut', 1999 | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/3039b0a0143aaa04718ca681e4ff75de0ba55bfe4578e1c349bbc003b16354f0.jpg)
Tom Cruise kissing Nicole Kidman in a scene from the film ‘Eyes Wide Shut’, 1999 | Source: Getty Images
She recalled that the scene involved extensive rehearsals in the bedroom, with Stanley often disliking their initial efforts. As a result, they ended up reworking it, constructing it as they went along.
The early stages of working with Stanley involved a lot of waiting and preparation. Nicole shared that at first, she and Tom spent most of the time at Stanley’s home, and they didn’t even go to the sets at Pinewood Studios for six to eight weeks.
![Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman at Universal Studios Theme Park in Los Angeles 1992 | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/359abe9648dd4f52c2e42416896b430f6cd2d0748676727a1688541a50b4d54a.jpg)
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman at Universal Studios Theme Park in Los Angeles 1992 | Source: Getty Images
They often wondered if they would ever start filming. During this period, they focused on getting comfortable with each other and throwing out ideas, improvising the beginning of the pivotal scene through rehearsals.
Stanley’s approach included delving into the real-life dynamics of his actors. Nicole acknowledged that the director might have drawn from her marriage with Tom to shape the film’s central relationship between Bill and Alice—Nicole and Tom’s characters.
![Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise attending the 69th Annual Academy Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/d512d54b1e522ef21e01d4aeb13777578f3dca2c4d4bcec9291b701968aebb7e.jpeg)
Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise attending the 69th Annual Academy Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the intensity of the film and the filming process, there were lighter moments as well. Nicole revealed that she and Tom lived in a shared trailer close to the set. While they had a home ten minutes away, they chose to live in the trailer because Stanley insisted on it, saying they couldn’t afford separate trailers.
![Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise at the 63rd Annual Academy Awards | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/daaddf96c356819c7ff3d7717cb4fc9e6a8fffa23ad6c8b85406f7a93a6d60b2.jpg)
Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise at the 63rd Annual Academy Awards | Source: Getty Images
In a 2013 interview, Nicole opened up about how she met Tom and reflected on their marriage. She recalled being 23 years old when she married the actor. Reflecting on the intense fame she experienced while married to Tom, Nicole noted that their high-profile life brought them very close and created a deeply romantic bond.
![Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise during 19th Annual AFI Lifetime Achievement Award to Kirk Douglas at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/721f6183ca6cfb326c651bef55b8e2db33ac971a91bd2c11b017a1efe5c60f6c.jpg)
Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise during 19th Annual AFI Lifetime Achievement Award to Kirk Douglas at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States | Source: Getty Images
Still, after her marriage to Tom ended, she took time to be alone and grow, as she felt she was still very young when she first got married. Nicole, who was playing Virginia Woolf in the psychological thriller “The Hours” at the time of her divorce from Tom, recalled the emotional impact of filming Woolf’s suicide scene.
![Nicole Kidman accepts her award for Best Actress for her performance in "The Hours" during the 75th Annual Academy Awards on March 23, 2003 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/b274676d02be5abbb1225b2b20fe9efb6d9d67d4ab40bf1673994fd812be533f.jpg)
Nicole Kidman accepts her award for Best Actress for her performance in “The Hours” during the 75th Annual Academy Awards on March 23, 2003 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
She described how walking into the river with stones in her pockets while electric fans whipped up the waves symbolized her choice to embrace life, despite being at a low point during that period.
It was this very movie that won Nicole’s first Oscar in 2003. While this win should have been a moment of pure celebration, it came at a challenging time in her life. She was still reeling from her divorce from Tom after 11 years of marriage.
![Nicole Kidman accepts her award for Best Actress for her performance in 'The Hours' during the 75th Annual Academy Awards on March 23, 2003 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/a11e85257f86889230999bb2f842de8d5250777586e7d029f266adb5451ec924.jpg)
Nicole Kidman accepts her award for Best Actress for her performance in ‘The Hours’ during the 75th Annual Academy Awards on March 23, 2003 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the professional triumph, Nicole was dealing with personal struggles. “I was struggling with things in my personal life, yet my professional life was going so well,” she said at the time.
On stage, Nicole briefly broke down before composing herself, but she couldn’t finish her speech. Later, she returned home, ordered takeout, and ate it on the floor. “I went to bed alone; I was in bed before midnight,” she added.
![Nicole Kidman accepts her award for Best Actress for her performance in "The Hours" during the 75th Annual Academy Awards on March 23, 2003, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/2f7a36f3908558303ae71daf1b945059b5da6cfe4dce942ebcb996213f801c8e.jpg)
Nicole Kidman accepts her award for Best Actress for her performance in “The Hours” during the 75th Annual Academy Awards on March 23, 2003, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Even though Nicole acknowledged that she cherishes what she had with the “Mission Impossible” actor, she has since found her true love in her current husband, country singer Keith Urban. The couple, who married in 2006, share two daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret.
![Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/28f7f91f0c6532bdef46cfd69df9a60e572163682642b0e62c5287074bdf21ea.jpeg)
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
As for Nicole and Tom, they share two adopted children, Isabella and Connor Cruise, who have largely stayed out of the spotlight. Tom is also a dad to Suri Cruise, whom he shares with ex-wife Katie Homes.
![Nicole Kidman and husband Tom Cruise arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith airport and introduce their children Connor and Isabella to the media January 24, 1996 in Sydney, Australia | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/1f83cb53eba42211191e6bbf9636023f15dfb8d7cb447f19021fd8f3de0a47bf.jpg)
Nicole Kidman and husband Tom Cruise arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith airport and introduce their children Connor and Isabella to the media January 24, 1996 in Sydney, Australia | Source: Getty Images
On June 28, Tom and Connor made headlines when they were spotted making a striking entrance in central London, disembarking from a helicopter together.
![Tom Cruise at Lincoln Center on July 10, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/1b4029cc095f2d129fcf3e9042fc4d47a5d9443160d49f889b2d9e3fa914b51d.jpg)
Tom Cruise at Lincoln Center on July 10, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
The pair’s outing came a week after the actor missed his youngest daughter, Suri’s high school graduation, stirring conversations among fans and onlookers alike.
Paparazzi captured the talented actor dressed in a short-sleeved gray t-shirt that highlighted his muscular arms, paired with jeans. Tom beamed with joy as he exited the heliport.
In contrast, 29-year-old Connor, who is passionate about fishing, and has even taken part in fishing tournaments, donned a more casual ensemble consisting of a black hoodie and gray pants. He complimented his look with a matching cap, sneakers, and black sunglasses.
Connor’s demeanor was noticeably more serious and calm when compared to his father’s cheerful expression. Onlookers reported that the father-son duo were accompanied by several other unidentified guests during their aerial outing.
However, the public appearance quickly ignited a flurry of reactions on social media, with many fans sharing their thoughts and opinions. “Look at Connor, OMG,” one user exclaimed, while another noted, “His son looks good.”
Observers commented on Connor’s noticeable transformation, with one stating, “Wow! He sure has gained a lot of weight!” and another netizen adding, “Wow, Connor has grown!”
Critics couldn’t resist comparing the actor to his son, with several noting that Connor appeared older. “His son looks older than him,” observed one critic, while another added, “Tom looks younger than his son.”
![Connor and Tom Cruise at Amalie Arena on April 5, 2015, in Tampa, Florida. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/e04506874ef34ca736ef02ec53158d8bb801f1246efd5db285fb488565686b89.jpg)
Connor and Tom Cruise at Amalie Arena on April 5, 2015, in Tampa, Florida. | Source: Getty Images
A few users pointed out Connor’s seemingly unhappy demeanor. “His son looks sad,” one person noted, before adding a speculative thought, “Meanwhile, the bubble over Tom’s head reads, ‘This’ll be a great pic to show what a great father I am.'”
![Connor and Tom Cruise at the 2009 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets on May 21, 2009, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images](https://cdn.amomama.com/8326b916ea68be3b32fe26b87a38c67a8c9429f796b772cddc37546f270fd099.jpg)
Connor and Tom Cruise at the 2009 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets on May 21, 2009, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Tom’s hangout with Connor once again put the spotlight on the Hollywood star’s complex family dynamics and the public’s fascination with his personal life.