Nicole Kidman has finally revealed the truth behind her viral 2001 Tom Cruise divorce celebration meme.
Kidman, 57, and Cruise, 62, were married from 1990-2001 – with a pH๏τographer capturing an iconic snap of Kidman raising her arms and screaming in elation as she left her attorney’s office when her divorce was finalized in 2001.
However, Kidman has now denied it was a celebration and offered a surprising explanation for what she was doing at the time of the pH๏τo.
She told British GQ: ‘That’s not true… That was not me. That was from a film. That wasn’t real life. I know that image!’
She did not specify what film she was shooting at the time.
Nicole Kidman has finally revealed the truth behind her viral 2001 Tom Cruise divorce celebration meme
Kidman, 57, and Cruise, 62, were married from 1990-2001 – with a pH๏τographer capturing an iconic snap of Kidman raising her arms and screaming in elation as she left her attorney’s office when her divorce was finalized in 2001 – pictured 1997
The couple met in 1990 when the two were cast together in Days of Thunder, a film about motor-racing.
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She was 23 at the time and, coming from Australia, was unknown in Hollywood. That all changed when the stars sparked a real-life romance during the filming.
After 12 years of marriage, Tom walked out on his wife in 2001, leaving her in a state of ‘utter shock.’ He filed for divorce that same year, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’.
They adopted two children during their marriage – Bella, 31 and Connor, 29.
According to reports, the real reason for him abandoning her was due to her refusal to join the Church of Scientology.
In 2012, Nicole opened up about her painful split in an interview with DuJour Magazine.
‘I thought our life together was perfect. It took me a very long time to heal. It was a shock to my system,’ she said.
‘We were in a bubble, just the two of us. We became very dependent on one another. I was reeling with Tom,’ she told the outlet. ‘I would have gone to the ends of the earth for him…. I was totally smitten – I fell madly, pᴀssionately in love.’
However, Kidman has now denied it was a celebration and offered a surprising explanation for what she was doing at the time of the pH๏τo. She told British GQ : ‘That’s not true… That was not me. That was from a film. That wasn’t real life. I know that image!’ – pictured 2001
Looking back, she told the outlet that she was ‘naïve’ to think that Tom was her happily ever after.
Last year it was rumored that Tom ‘skipped’ the Oscars to ‘avoid an awkward run-in’ with Nicole.
Insiders said the Top Gun: Maverick star was not at the ceremony due to his ex-wife being there – following their bitter divorce over 20 years ago.
Tom’s movie was nominated for six awards, including the coveted Best Picture Award.
A source told DailyMail.com: ‘Tom was not there because she was there, and he did not want a run-in.’
However, sources close to Tom claimed his absence was ‘not personal’ and was nothing more than scheduling difficulties, though they did not reply specifically to the claim that it was connected to Nicole’s presence.
Tom and his ex-wife haven’t been seen at the same event for years.
Kidman has been married to Keith Urban since 2006 and the pair share two daughters (pictured last month)
Nicole – who walked the Oscars red carpet with her country singer husband Keith before packing on serious PDA during the show – as notably absent from Oscars luncheon that was attended by her Scientologist ex the month prior.
Tom was seen embracing Steven Spielberg during the February 13 luncheon, as the director was heard on video telling he action star that Maverick had ‘saved Hollywood’s a**’ by bringing audiences back to theaters.
Kidman is married to Keith Urban – with whom she shares two daughters – while Cruise wed Katie Holmes and welcomed daughter Suri before their split in 2012.