An inside look at the biggest entertainment divorce of the year
Last Friday, one of the biggest Hollywood bombshells this year went off in New York when actress Katie Holmes filed for divorce from one of the few megawatt stars left in the movie business, Tom Cruise. The marriage, which lasted six years, had been full of innuendo and mystery thanks to Cruise's secretive relationship with the Church of Scientology and a stretch when he was better known for jumping on Oprah Winfrey's couch than his films.
Prenup I guess this is the first place to start considering Cruise's worth of up to $270 million, with $79 million of that coming last year. Their prenuptial agreement hasn't been made public, but it is said to be fair to both sides, and will add substantially to the reported $25 million Holmes is worth. Her main focus will be the welfare of their daughter together, Suri Cruise, which it is speculated she will be asking for sole custody of and "suitable" child support for.
Timing According to everyone (except Katie Holmes), this was a surprise that caught the actor and his camp off-guard. He was in Iceland filming his latest film
Oblivion when he got word that the 33-year-old Holmes would be filing in New York. It seems like the machinations of this had been a while in the making, what with Holmes' renting of an apartment separate from their Big Apple cohabitation and the fact she was filing in the Empire State.
New York v California Much has been discussed about the particulars of Holmes' place of filing. In California, divorce is a No-Fault contest, but in New York, it isn't. Some are speculating that the play here is to air her grievances in court to use the ruling, which she hopes goes in her favor, to gain complete custody of Suri. The following may be the reason why.
Scientology Some legal and entertainment speculators are buzzing about the amount of time under the spotlight the Church of Scientology will get. Cruise is a devout follower and high-ranking member of the Church, which has been a lightning rod for controversy. Some say that Holmes' New York filing has to do with gaining parental control of Suri so she doesn't grow up as a member. While the mother hopes to keep the baby's father in the loop, she's looking to make a firm break from the Top Gun star.