Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were once Hollywood’s golden couple, admired for their talent, glamour, and high-profile romance. During their marriage, they adopted two children, Isabella and Connor, who have grown up largely away from the spotlight despite their famous parents. Although Cruise and Kidman divorced in 2001, their children’s lives have continued to evolve, leading them down their own unique paths.

Let’s take a closer look at how Isabella and Connor have grown, what they’re doing now, and how they’ve shaped their lives outside of their parents’ stardom.

The Beginning of Their Family Journey

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman became parents in the early ‘90s when they adopted their first child, Isabella Jane Cruise, in 1992. The decision to adopt came after Kidman suffered an ectopic pregnancy, which left her unable to conceive at the time. Their desire to build a family remained strong, and in 1995, they expanded their family by adopting their son, Connor Cruise.

The couple, who met on the set of Days of Thunder in 1989, appeared deeply committed to their children, often seen attending events together as a family. Despite their fame, Cruise and Kidman aimed to provide Isabella and Connor with as normal a childhood as possible, though growing up as the children of two A-list stars was no easy feat.

Life After Divorce: Co-Parenting and Separate Paths

After their highly publicized split in 2001, Cruise and Kidman agreed to joint custody of their children. However, Isabella and Connor ultimately chose to live with their father, spending most of their time in Los Angeles while Kidman moved to Australia.

During this time, Cruise continued his deep involvement in the Church of Scientology, and both Isabella and Connor were raised within the religion. Over the years, Kidman has been open about how her children’s choices—particularly their decision to remain involved with Scientology—led to some distance between them, though she has always emphasized her love and support for them.

In 2006, Cruise married actress Katie Holmes, and Isabella and Connor became part of a new blended family. The arrival of their half-sister, Suri Cruise, that same year brought additional changes, but Isabella and Connor largely kept their lives private, avoiding the media frenzy surrounding their father’s new marriage.

Isabella Cruise: A Life in Art and Fashion

Born in 1992, Isabella (often called Bella) has kept a low profile for most of her life, rarely making public appearances. Despite growing up in Hollywood, she chose a different path and pursued a career in fashion and art.

After studying at the prestigious Delmar Academy of Makeup and Hair in London, Bella worked for Holmes & Yang, the fashion line created by her father’s then-wife, Katie Holmes. In 2018, she launched her own fashion brand, BKC (Bella Kidman Cruise), featuring her artwork on custom T-shirts.

Bella married British IT consultant Max Parker in 2015 in a small, intimate ceremony in London. Neither of her parents attended the wedding, though reports suggest it was a personal decision rather than a reflection of their relationships with her. She continues to live in London with her husband, leading a relatively private life.

Occasionally, Bella shares glimpses of her artwork and personal style on social media, but she largely avoids the Hollywood spotlight. Over the years, she has transformed her look, adopting a more alternative aesthetic, with short hair and edgy fashion choices that reflect her artistic personality.

Connor Cruise: From Acting to Deep-Sea Fishing and Barbecue

Connor Cruise, born in 1995, initially pursued a career in acting, appearing in films such as Seven Pounds (2008) alongside Will Smith and Red Dawn (2012). However, he eventually shifted his focus to his passions outside of Hollywood, particularly music and fishing.

For several years, Connor worked as a DJ under the name DJ C-Squared, performing at events around the world. His love for music kept him in the entertainment industry, but he preferred working behind the scenes rather than in front of the camera.

In recent years, Connor has dedicated much of his time to deep-sea fishing, often sharing his catches on social media. He currently lives in Clearwater, Florida, where he resides within a Scientology community. Alongside his passion for fishing, he runs a barbecue business called Connor’s Meatshack, where he showcases his skills as a pitmaster.

Unlike many celebrity children, Connor embraces a more private lifestyle, staying away from public appearances and major media interviews. He has been spotted occasionally at events with his father but prefers to focus on his personal interests rather than Hollywood fame.

Nicole Kidman’s Life with Her Other Children

Following her divorce from Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman found love again with country music star Keith Urban. The couple married in 2006 and welcomed two daughters, Sunday Rose in 2008 and Faith Margaret in 2010.

Sunday and Faith have been raised in a more traditional family setting, away from the public eye for the most part. However, Sunday has recently stepped into the spotlight, making her runway debut at Paris Fashion Week in 2024 as a model for Miu Miu. Both sisters have occasionally accompanied their mother to red carpet events, showcasing a strong bond with Kidman and Urban.

Nicole has spoken openly about the differences in raising her two sets of children. She acknowledges that her relationship with Isabella and Connor has faced challenges, but she has always emphasized that she respects their choices, particularly their continued involvement in Scientology.

A Rare Public Sighting

Despite living private lives, Isabella and Connor occasionally make rare public appearances. In December 2023, Tom Cruise was seen attending a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game with both of his older children, marking one of the first times in nearly 15 years that the trio was spotted together in public.

While Bella and Connor may not be in the limelight like their parents, they continue to live on their own terms, carving out lives that reflect their personal interests and passions rather than Hollywood expectations.

The Legacy of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman’s Children

Isabella and Connor Cruise may have grown up in one of Hollywood’s most high-profile families, but they’ve chosen to walk their own paths. Bella’s love for art and fashion has led her to build a quiet yet creative life in London, while Connor thrives in Florida with his passion for fishing, barbecue, and music.

Despite their parents’ fame, both have maintained a level of privacy that is rare among celebrity children. Whether through their business ventures, artistic pursuits, or personal passions, they have embraced their independence and continue to forge their identities outside of their parents’ shadows.

Nicole Kidman, while not as close to them as she is to her younger daughters, has always expressed her unconditional love for Bella and Connor. Meanwhile, Tom Cruise remains a strong presence in their lives, with their shared faith in Scientology playing a significant role in their relationship.

Though their childhoods were marked by Hollywood glitz and media scrutiny, Isabella and Connor have found their own sense of purpose. Whether they ever step further into the public eye remains to be seen, but for now, they seem content with the lives they’ve built.