In a striking photo shared by former NFL player Derrick Brooks last December, Tom Cruise appears with his two grown adopted children. This has sparked a wave of online debate months later about his familial relationships and the conspicuous absence of his youngest daughter, Suri.

Isabella Cruise as seen in a December 2023 Instagram post | Source: Instagram.com/officialdbrooks55/

Isabella Cruise as seen in a December 2023 Instagram post | Source: Instagram.com/officialdbrooks55/

In December last year, former NFL player Derrick Brooks shared a photo on social media featuring Hollywood icon Tom Cruise alongside his two grown adopted children. However, this image sparked a significant online debate in May this year, several months after its initial posting.

Connor Cruise as seen in a December 2023 Instagram post | Source: Instagram.com/officialdbrooks55/

Connor Cruise as seen in a December 2023 Instagram post | Source: Instagram.com/officialdbrooks55/

The conversation centered not only on Cruise’s relationship with his eldest children. It also focused on his notably absent youngest daughter, Suri Cruise. Social media erupted with a mixture of surprise and critique. Comments ranged from playful bewilderment to pointed criticism.

Some users expressed their astonishment, remarking, “Didn’t know he had so many kids. Where’d they all come from?” and “Lord, how many kids does he have?! Lol.” One user commented “Omg how many kids has he got?” Others pointed out the absence of Suri Cruise from the family picture.

Tom Cruise with his children Connor, Isabella, and Suri at a Central Park West playground on September 7, 2010 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Tom Cruise with his children Connor, Isabella, and Suri at a Central Park West playground on September 7, 2010 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

There were remarks such as, “[A shame] he forgot about his 3rd child,” One commenter added, “And Suri? I’m sure she misses the action too.” One commenter lamented, “Yeah. And yet Suri isn’t in the photo because he abandoned her due to Scientology. So proud of Katie for getting her out when she did. Super smart lady.

Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise at the American Ballet Theater at Lincoln Center on May 21, 2018 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise at the American Ballet Theater at Lincoln Center on May 21, 2018 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

There was also praise for the photo such as, “Good Tom, always keeping the family together 😍,” and “The Cruise-Kidman kids are all grown up now! Time flies, doesn’t it? Sending love to the whole family.

Isabella and Connor Cruise in central Rome prior to a dinner with Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise on November 16, 2006 in Rome, Italy | Source: Getty Images

Isabella and Connor Cruise in central Rome prior to a dinner with Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise on November 16, 2006 in Rome, Italy | Source: Getty Images

Although Suri and her mother, Katie Holmes, no longer have a close relationship with Cruise, his older children share unique relationships with both their parents.

Cruise’s ex-wife, Nicole Kidman, once offered a rare glimpse into her perspective as a famous parent. As mother to Cruise’s two eldest children, she emphasized the importance of unconditional love and support for her children, regardless of their choices.

Nicole Kidman with Connor and Isabella Cruise at a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat at the Staples Center December 25, 2004 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Nicole Kidman with Connor and Isabella Cruise at a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat at the Staples Center December 25, 2004 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

She stated, “They are adults. They are able to make their own decisions. They have made choices to be Scientologists and as a mother, it’s my job to love them.”

Kidman has historically maintained a discrete stance regarding her family life, particularly when it comes to her children’s religious affiliations.

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise with Isabella and Connor Cruise at Sydney Kingsford Smith airport and introduce their children Connor and Isabella to the media January 24, 1996 | Source: Getty Images

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise with Isabella and Connor Cruise at Sydney Kingsford Smith airport and introduce their children Connor and Isabella to the media January 24, 1996 | Source: Getty Images

Speaking candidly, Kidman remarked, “I’m very private about all that. I have to protect all those relationships. I know 150 percent that I would give up my life for my children because it’s what my purpose is.”

Nicole Kidman with Connor and Isabella Cruise at a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat at the Staples Center December 25, 2004 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Nicole Kidman with Connor and Isabella Cruise at a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat at the Staples Center December 25, 2004 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Kidman further elaborated on the importance of maintaining an open and loving environment, stating, “And I am an example of that tolerance and that’s what I believe – that no matter what your child does, the child has love and the child has to know there is available love and I’m open here.”

Tom Cruise with his son and daughter, Connor and Isabella, at the premiere of United Artists Pictures and MGM's "Valkyrie" on December 18, 2008 at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Tom Cruise with his son and daughter, Connor and Isabella, at the premiere of United Artists Pictures and MGM’s “Valkyrie” on December 18, 2008 at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

She also stressed the critical nature of familial bonds and the right of a child to their parent’s love. She said, “I think that’s so important because if that is taken away from a child, to sever that in any child, in any relationship, in any family – I believe it’s wrong. So that’s our job as a parent, to always offer unconditional love.”

Nicole Kidman with Connor and Isabella Cruise at a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat at the Staples Center on December 25, 2004 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Nicole Kidman with Connor and Isabella Cruise at a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat at the Staples Center on December 25, 2004 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

While Cruise faces much criticism regarding his link to Scientology. Some believe it has had an impact on his relationship with his children. However, Kidman promotes unconditional love and privacy for her children.

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise with Isbaella and Connor Cruise at Sydney Kingsford Smith airport on January 24, 1996 | Source: Getty Images

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise with Isbaella and Connor Cruise at Sydney Kingsford Smith airport on January 24, 1996 | Source: Getty Images

Suri’s relationship with her father has been a topic of conversation online for years. We previously reported that as she turned 18, her father was not there to celebrate the milestone birthday with her.

Tom Cruise leaving Victoria Beckham's 50th birthday party at Oswald’s on April 20, 2024 in London, England | Source: Getty Images

Tom Cruise leaving Victoria Beckham’s 50th birthday party at Oswald’s on April 20, 2024 in London, England | Source: Getty Images

In April, Cruise was spotted in London on location filming “Mission Impossible 8” — thousands of miles away from Suri, who celebrated her 18th birthday a day later.

Suri lives with her mom in New York, where she was seen out and about on her birthday. Despite the physical distance between Suri and her father, a social media user thinks their relationship might take a different turn.

Tom Cruise attends the US Premiere of "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" on July 10, 2023, in New York, New York | Source: Getty Images

Tom Cruise attends the US Premiere of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on July 10, 2023, in New York, New York | Source: Getty Images

Suri is 18 now. All kids love their parents. I wouldn’t be surprised if Suri now will have a relationship with her father,” the Facebook user opined.

The actor’s youngest and estranged daughter was seen out with a friend on her birthday, holding a birthday present while she slayed in a denim jacket and matching bootcut jeans, clutching a pink umbrella amid a wet day in the Big Apple.

While turning eighteen is a milestone for everyone, it is even more so for Suri. At 18, she has the legal freedom to openly discuss her father, his beliefs, his Scientology religion, and their estrangement, as we recently reported.

Suri Cruise and Tom Cruise visit Charles River Basin in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on October 10, 2009. | Source: Getty Images

Suri Cruise and Tom Cruise visit Charles River Basin in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on October 10, 2009. | Source: Getty Images

Tony Ortega, who has researched Scientology for decades, shared, “Suri would have been too young to sign any agreement, but she will now be free to talk if she wants to, and it’s going to be really interesting if she has something to say.”

Tom Cruise and Suri Cruise are seen on the streets of Manhattan in New York City, on December 3, 2008. | Source: Getty Images

Tom Cruise and Suri Cruise are seen on the streets of Manhattan in New York City, on December 3, 2008. | Source: Getty Images

Tony also explained that part of why Katie left when she did when Suri was six, was because she would have witnessed what Tom’s other kids, Isabella and Connor, went through because of Scientology.

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