14 DAY TRIAL // Despite recent tabloid reports that Tom Cruise was considering leaving the Church of Scientology so he could spend more time with daughter Suri, his only child with ex-wife Katie Holmes, it’s not going to happen. Insiders tell the latest issue of InTouch that he hasn’t spoken to Suri in person for 2 years.
It wasn’t for lack of time and opportunity, though: just last month, Tom was in New York where Suri lives with her mother, and was only blocks away from their home. He didn’t call or visit.
Tom is no longer part of his daughter’s life
“That’s the cold, harsh reality,” an insider says for the celebrity publication. Tom and Suri haven’t been photographed together since 2012, when he notoriously asked a paparazzo to tag along as they spent the day together.
The reason why they haven’t been photographed together is that they’re not spending any time together, the report continues: the actor hasn’t spoken to Suri in person for a couple of years, missing all the important milestones in her life and accepting to no longer be a part of her life.
The fact that he was in NYC, only blocks away from Suri, and didn’t visit is the most telling. He spent 3 days together in the city to promote “Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation,” booking an event a day.
Had he wanted to, he would have had plenty of time to check in on Suri, but he chose not to. It is believed that Katie and daughter Suri were declared Suppressive Persons (SPs) by the Church of Scientology when Katie filed for divorce from Tom, which means that he’s not allowed to make contact with them.
Because he knows just how bad this situation makes him look, he had his people warn members of the media to avoid all personal questions during the latest “M:I” press tour.
“Tom will never address the Suri situation,” another source explains. “It’s not going to happen because it’s a no-win situation for him.”
Scientology backlash doesn’t affect Cruise’s star power
The recent HBO documentary “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief” shed new light on the inner workings of one of the most successful cults in the US and abroad. It also brought attention to the way it uses celebrities to expand even more, with Tom Cruise remaining the number one celebrity spokesperson and a good friend of Scientology leader David Miscavige.
According to the film, once you’re a Scientologist, you have very few other options if you decide you want to leave, no matter the reason. When you do, you will find yourself less financially stable, with fewer friends and, if you’re really unlucky and think speaking out against it is a good idea, with a tail on you that will harass you for months on end.
The documentary has reopened the discussion on Scientology and its practices, many of which are illegal. However, none of this blew back on its number 1 star, Tom Cruise, and his draw at the box office.
Critics who praised HBO for its bold documentary were just as quick to praise Tom for his work on “Rogue Nation.” The film isn’t just a critical hit but it continues to rule the North American box office for the second weekend straight.