Nicole Kidman’s Estranged Relationship with Her Adopted Children and the Influence of Scientology
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Nicole Kidman’s relationship with her adopted children, Isabella and Connor Cruise, became strained following her 2001 divorce from Tom Cruise. According to Mirror, While the reasons for their estrangement remain unclear, many believe that the Church of Scientology played a significant role in the growing distance between Kidman and her children, who chose to live with their father.
Isabella and Connor were adopted by Kidman and Cruise in 1992 and 1995, respectively. Despite the couple being granted joint custody of the children after their divorce, both Isabella and Connor decided to stay in Los Angeles with Cruise. According to People, a source close to the actor noted, “Connor and Isabella grew up in the Church of Scientology, they’ve been members since they were kids.
As reported by The Things, Connor has been able to remain close with Tom because of Scientology.” Kidman opened up about the fractured relationship during a 2007 interview on GMTV, revealing that her children didn’t call her “Mom” but instead referred to her by her first name, which she admitted she “hated” and would reprimand them for.
“I’m very private about all that. I have to protect all those relationships,” Kidman said in a 2018 interview with WHO. “I know 150 percent that I would give up my life for my children because it’s what my purpose is. They have made the choice to be Scientologists, and as a mother, it’s my job to love them.” Kidman emphasized the importance of unconditional love, stating, “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.” Despite her efforts to maintain a relationship with her children, Kidman has chosen not to publicly discuss Scientology. In a 2013 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she said, “I’ve chosen not to speak publicly about Scientology. I have two children who are Scientologists—Connor, and Isabella—and I utterly respect their beliefs.”
However, reports suggest that the Church’s influence has continued to impact her relationship with her children. According to Radar Online, Kidman did not attend Connor’s wedding, allegedly due to Tom Cruise’s intervention. A source claimed, “Tom is behind this, and what he wants is as good as law. Tom made the call and Connor followed.”
The insider further explained, “Tom would never even consider inviting Nicole to Connor’s wedding because she’s considered a ‘suppressive person’ by the church—and, second, he doesn’t want her there.” As Kidman navigates her complicated relationship with Isabella and Connor, the role of Scientology and the powerful influence of Tom Cruise continue to cast a long shadow over their family dynamics.
