Already? Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes Reach Divorce Settlement
- Posted on July 9, 2012 at 2:50pm by
Billy Hallowell
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NEW YORK (AP) — Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes reached a settlement in their divorce case, putting an official end to the much-scrutinized romance less than two weeks after Holmes unexpectedly filed for divorce.
“The case has been settled and the agreement has been signed,” Holmes attorney Jonathan Wolfe said in a statement. Cruise’s rep Amanda Lundberg confirmed the settlement.
An assistant in Wolfe’s office who would not give her name would not elaborate on the agreement.
“We are thrilled for Katie and her family and are excited to watch as she embarks on the next chapter of her life,” the statement from Holmes’ attorney said. “We thank Tom’s counsel for their professionalism and diligence that helped bring about this speedy resolution.”
Cruise, 50, and Holmes, 33, had a romance that ended as it began — as tabloid fodder. Earlier Monday, they asked for privacy for their family with 6-year-old daughter Suri.
“We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri’s best interests. We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other‘s commitment to each of our respective beliefs and support each other’s roles as parents,” read the statement from Lundberg and Holmes representative Nanci Ryder.
The resolution was notably quick, particularly in Hollywood terms. By way of comparison, Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries are still negotiating a divorce for an August 2011 marriage that lasted less than three months.
“A quick settlement indicates that they were able to agree that they’ll both do some co-parenting,” said Steve Mindel, a managing partner in the Los Angeles firm Feinberg, Mindel, Brandt and Klein who has handled bi-coastal divorce cases.
Mindel said the next step would be for Holmes or Cruise to file to have their status changed to divorced, but that the actual financial and child custody details won‘t get filed in court unless there’s some later dispute.
In the celebrity news media, Holmes has been portrayed with overwhelmingly more sympathy. Whether true or not, the narrative that emerged was of a locked-away Holmes breaking free from the servitude of a strange, corrupting marriage.
Us Weekly has reported that the couple “fought viciously” over Scientology parenting. The Daily News has trumpeted Holmes entering “a new phase.“ A TMZ headline blared ”Tom treated me like a robot.”
That may also be the most convenient view of a relationship that even at its start spawned “Free Katie!” T-shirts.
Cruise’s camp vigorously denied such a reading. Cruise’s lawyer Bert Fields has said they were letting “the other side play the media until they wear everyone out.” The Church of Scientology, too, didn’t want to be portrayed as the schism between the couple.
The quick settlement and joint statement may put out some of that fire.
“It‘s not entirely certain that it’s all about Rapunzel fleeing the castle, which is the motif that people love to use,” said Larry Hackett, managing editor of People magazine, which broke the news of Holmes’ divorce filing. He called this the biggest celebrity story in two or three years, excepting the sudden death of Whitney Houston.
In Touch Weekly and its sister magazine, Life & Style Weekly, are among the many outlets to focus on the Holmes-as-escapee angle. Their covers on the divorce read “The Fight for Suri” and “Katie Breaks Free,” respectively.
“We’re intrigued by who the real Katie is,” says Dan Wakeford, editor-in-chief of both magazines. “She’s been hidden for so long and dominated and controlled by Tom, so we really want to know what she‘s like and how she’s going to change.”
In the week and a half since filing for divorce, Holmes also captured the spotlight with a handful of public appearances. She stopped by to tape a guest judge appearance on Lifetime’s “Project Runway,” was snapped taking Suri for ice cream, and was seen taking a trip to the Children’s Museum of the Arts.
The appearances have only fed the view that Holmes is now living easier and freer — and conversely, that she’s orchestrating a public relations campaign.
On the other hand, Holmes may have simply been trying to regain a measure of privacy, said celebrity publicist Howard Bragman, vice chairman of reputation.com.
(Related: Tom Cruise‘s New Movie Trailer for ’Jack Reacher’ Premieres Amid Divorce Drama)
“I think she’s being smart. If you engage in a bunker mentality, you build up demand” for photographs, Bragman said. “My clients who are under siege by paparazzi, I say go on and live your life. It lets some of the air out of the balloon, if you will.”
Cruise has two children with his previous wife, Nicole Kidman. The actor was also previously married to Mimi Rogers. This was Holmes’ first marriage.
Their divorce case lasted less than two weeks, but Mindel said that’s not uncommon for high-profile breakups: “There’s too many incentives on both sides of the equation for settlement.”
When actress-singer LeAnn Rimes’ husband filed for divorce in December 2009, it only took a day before the couple filed a judgment. Actor-comedian Russell Brand’s divorce from singer Katy Perry took a little over a month to resolve, while director Cameron Crowe and singer-guitarist Nancy Wilson resolved their 2010 divorce in less than three months.
Cruise and Holmes may have saved more than just their dignity by not fighting out their divorce in court – Mindel said a drawn-out custody battle would have likely cost more than a million dollars in legal fees.
Mindel said the issue for Holmes and Cruise going forward is how they navigate their parenting as Suri grows up.
“The question‘s going to be did they have enough time to flesh out how they’re going to resolve future disputes,” Mindel said.
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Comments (60)
Smoke Ranch
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:27pmfoward?
Report Post »mils
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 5:20pmOH HEAVEN HELP US…TWO more hollywood millionaires that can’t get along
Report Post »AND …PRAY tell…why should be even in the slightest bit interested?????
lukerw
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 6:29pmSeems to me… like… two nice people… who want the best for each other… but who cannot agree upon some important issues of living together!
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 8:08pm.
Report Post »I suspect the Scientologists encouraged
them to stop the bad publicity.
happygranny
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 9:06pmI wonder what Katie had on Tom for him to agree so quickly?!!!
Report Post »Nasado
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 8:57amWhile honestly this registersunder the who cares part of my mind, I think the way this played out is pretty indicative of society in general. Why is it that in practically any relationship that ends in divorce, when no facts are known it is always the “poor woman escaping from the evil husband”? Why is it that we always assume it is the wife who is the innocent one? Divorce is a 2 way street and both people are at fault to one extent or another. Now, one is usually the main offender but the other has a role in it as well. From what I know of Cruise, he is one of the nicest actors out there and everyone he works with enjoys his company. Not that many not translate to his home life but usually they are similar. Is he part of a (in my opinion) unique religion? Sure, but Katie knew that before she married him, knew what she was getting herself into, knew that he wanted to raise their children in his faith, and obviously she agreed to that. Now we don’t know any details, and frankly I hope it stays that way. But I am kind of tired how it is always portrayed as the mans fault.
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:27pmComrade, in the greater scheme of things this rates as a big “who cares”?
Report Post »Two spoiled children are parting, ho hum!
Dragonfire
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:44pmTom and Katie WHO????
Report Post »Landon410
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:15pmi feel like watching the south park episode about scientology now, that was a hoot.
A lot of people of different faiths question other peoples faith, it happens, I’m a christian and I question muslims mormans etc, and they do the same in return.
Report Post »But pretty sure all of us (except for NOI) think Scientology people are freaking nuts
LDSmommy
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 6:06pmLOL, great comment…and so true!
Report Post »CarterBear
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 9:22pmAnyone who believes what they read in tabloids is likely to think other peoples’ actions and beliefs are nuts. I wonder what Arabian tabloids say about Christians. For that matter, as a “Christian”, where’s the old “Love thy neighbor as thyself”, hey? Or aren’t you that kind of Christian? (the kind that actually follow the words of Jesus Christ)
Report Post »toomuchgovt
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:15pmThey were not a big enough distraction for the “youth” voters.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:10pmFrom pulling stories such as the one about the OWS people this weekend to running tabloid tid bits; sorry to see the BLAZE go out so soon. More of a ‘flash’ than a ‘blaze.’
Report Post »madisonsquare
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 6:49pmOh why don’t you go read the New York Times then mr. snooty. Sheesh. Lighten up. There‘s more real news here than you’ll ever find in most news outlets.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:12pmNot really a Mr. Snooty but I do see this site losing ground in several ways. You might try the DAILY CALLER or CNSNEWS.COM…One should make the rounds with other news sites and not trust in just one. But, I think I’ll use Mr. Snooty as my name on my radio show tomorrow. Great material. {:
Report Post »Bill Wallace
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:09pmForget Glenn and the gold commercials. The smart money right now is buying stock in couches.
Katie, you are hot. Smart. And I bet you put more than a little fear of disclosing the secrets of Scientology and I bet your divorce decree comes with a set amount of support to silence you.
Fair enough. You deserve it. Look me up. I am taller than Tom. And a lot less crazy.
Report Post »pwatkins
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:02pmGreat no more TomCat….now all we will hear about from Obama’s msnbc crew are the FatCats (like Romney as theycall him) until November. If Obama ever gets vetted properly we the people are going to have to overload the internet on all Fox news shows. We don’t have to worry about Beck and Hannity bc they have given it their all since before Barry took office.Let
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:02pmMaybe the next headline will be:
KATHY GRIFFIN RE-ACQUIRES ONE OF HER GAYS & ANDY COHEN EXCLAIMS “OH, HOW FESTIVE”. (insert lisp)
Report Post »Iamnotanumber
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:58pmHere’s why it matters, scientology is a cash based egalitarian society with higher levels of access for the rich, and they effect elections with the money…Karma sux don’t it Tom Boy. Katie and Suri were smart and you bought em off didn’t yaa. Your a sad excuse for a man and a father you piece of Hollywood trash! But you have to buy their silence in order to stay in the good graces of Darth Hubbard!
Report Post »CarterBear
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 10:28pmNow THAT’S a good example of a “well-educated” Amurican! I can see it now, getting all your “news” from the Tee Vee, with a six-pack of Miller lite by your side, and all the “truth” about celebrities and their religious practices from People, Us, The Daily Mail, etc. Want to buy some shares of the Brooklyn Bridge Corp that I inherited from my father?
Report Post »Ramv36
Posted on July 10, 2012 at 2:10amEveryone knows Katie Holmes is an undercover operative for Xenu, sent here 10k years ago to attempt to derail Tom Cruise’s life in the future, as he is the descendant of Hubbard, which is why we need him to pay the Church somewhere around $1 million to know these high-OT level secrets.
Report Post »And if you don’t believe that, well you’re just a Suppressive Person. You should join Scientology. Now. That Billion Year soul contract isn’t getting any shorter!
Rayblue
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:43pmHis antennas are wiggling for a new lifestyle partner already.
Report Post »When money calls, the games afoot.
cookcountypatriot
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:40pmshe laid down the law…she knows all the dirty lil secrets of this gay..i mean guy,,,,and im sure made it clear they wouldnt be secrets much longer if he and his cult tried to bamboozle her…good job katie….your freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Report Post »Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:38pmA lot of responses here so far are saying, “so what?” But this does have something in common with our politics today in that Katie Holmes represents that part of the human spirit which eventually breaks free. It’s not uncommon for there to be a wave of revelation people experience in real-time, at the same time, universally.
If you’re looking for an even greater force to out this administration, it’s that force, and we the people can work in conjunction with it.
In a society that has more choices given to it on a daily basis than any other time in history, it‘s important to have the right values so we’re able to filter out what’s not most important, no matter how tempting the other stuff is. Part of the human psyche wants to gravitate towards one resource with all the answers, in order to keep from being overwhelmed with decisions. This is where loving spiritual and/or religious beliefs inevitably come into play.
We are each authors & pilots of our own self-actualization, and it’s important that any guidance be pure. With this political climate, it‘s important to note that it’s NOT “Reverend Obama”. Nor is it “Dr. Obama“ or ”King Obama”.
Remember, anything that functions on a misuse of power will purposely exhaust you so you can‘t keep up with it’s nuances, much less give you a say in what happens to you.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:26pmAnd The $cientologist $trikes out…
Report Post »NoBama Mama
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:13pmGlad to see she got away from that weirdo.
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:24pmRight…doesn‘t look like she’ll be one of those Gods that Tom’s church believes.
Report Post »huey6367
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:07pmand this is news how?
Report Post »Constructionist
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:07pmI don’t see why everyone feels the need to bash Scientology all the time.
If it’s good enough for Farrakhan, it’s good enough for me!
Report Post »Cadcamtrainer
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:06pmFolks, the country is in big trouble and we are worrying about this??? Who cares?
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:27pmWell, you must as you took time to comment on it.
Report Post »carpee
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:06pmwho cares? there’s a Marxist in the white house – hanging out with the muslim brotherhood.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:05pmCha-ching
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:05pmTom said that through his religion…he learned that Katie did not have a soul that exploded out of a volcano like she said she did.
Report Post »ricckky
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:03pmWho Cares!!!!!!!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:01pmGood, then we will not need to hear anything more of this nonsense.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:15pmHope all is well with you, SNOW. Fostering motherless kittens now – tired but rewarding.
Report Post »Katie didn’t get the fairytale life she thought she would get – should have consulted with Nicole and Mimi before taking the plunge – there is always a pattern of behavior.
romadave
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:00pmI bet it went like this–
Katie: “No way in HELL am I letting you take Suri to Scientology boot camp.”
Report Post »Tom: “Fine, the two of you can go free if you don’t take 1/2 my money and you keep your trap shut.”
Katie: “And no creepy follow ups by the Sea Org?”
Tom: “As long as the word ”Xemu” never comes out of your mouth… ever.”
Katie: “Deal.”
Tom: “Deal… Oh, and also not a word about the gay thing… it was just college and I was drunk.”
RightUnite
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 2:59pmI’m guessing she has some major dirt on him…. Why would they have settled so amicably?
Report Post »Kathleen
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:28pmI think she was most probably much smarter than Nicole on this. I bet she has footage and proof of something he may not want to come out so that it doesn’t ruin his career. I wonder if she got in contact with Nicole to discuss the best strategy. I’d guess it had something to do with scientology.
Report Post »Ivan in Phoenix
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 6:28pmNicole Kidman went ‘full ******’ in her auditing sessions and put every last dirty detail of her life on tape. Tom & CO$ were willing to smear her with the embarrassing things she told them. Katie didn’t give CO$ enough information to make her keep her mouth shut so she had the upper hand with what she knew about Tom & CO$. That’s the only reason he would agree to let Katie have primary custody and never do anything CO$ related with Suri when Tom has her with him.
Report Post »Ivan in Phoenix
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 6:30pmI guess you can’t use the word R E T A R D around here!
Report Post »Paul
Posted on July 9, 2012 at 2:57pmwhatever.
Report Post »