nicole kidman makes
| |

Nicole Kidman makes surprise confession about her …

Nicole Kidman has opened up about one of the most defining chapters of her life, reflecting on her high-profile marriage to Tom Cruise and the impact it had on her early career.

In a candid interview with British Vogue, the Oscar-winning actress looked back on marrying Cruise at a very young age. Kidman was just 22 when she entered the spotlight as the wife of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. She admitted that the experience quickly changed how the public viewed her.

“Because of who I married, at such a young age, I was thrust into it since I was 22,” Kidman said. “Yeah, I got married so young.” (People.com⁠)

Kidman and Cruise met while working together on Days of Thunder in 1990. They married on Christmas Eve that same year and went on to become one of Hollywood’s most closely watched couples. During their 11-year marriage, they adopted two children, Isabella and Connor, and appeared together in films including Far and Away and Eyes Wide Shut. (People.com⁠)

Looking back, Kidman said she was deeply in love and did not worry about how the marriage might affect her professional future. She recalled being warned that marrying such a famous actor could hurt her career, but she simply wanted to follow her heart.

“I was in love. I wanted to be married,” she explained, according to reports on the interview. At the time, she did not see the decision as something that needed to be carefully calculated. (Page Six⁠)

However, Kidman acknowledged that the prediction about her identity becoming tied to Cruise eventually came true. For years, she was often described primarily as “Tom Cruise’s wife,” rather than being recognized independently for her own work. (The Times⁠)

Their marriage ended in 2001, but Kidman later built an acclaimed career of her own, earning major recognition for films such as The Hours and becoming a leading figure in television through projects including Big Little Lies and The Undoing.

Today, Kidman appears to view her younger self with greater understanding. Rather than completely rejecting that chapter, she recognizes how much it shaped the woman and performer she eventually became.

Her latest comments offer a rare glimpse into a relationship she has generally kept private. More than two decades after the divorce, Kidman’s reflections suggest that her past remains complicated—but it is also an important part of the journey that helped define her remarkable career.

 

Similar Posts

  • | |

    US report urges stronger parliament oversight of P…

    WASHINGTON: Pakistan needs to strengthen parliamentary oversight of its public finances by improving the timely disclosure of budget proposals, government debt and other fiscal information, according to a new US State Department assessment. The findings were published in the department’s 2026 Fiscal Transparency Report, an annual review examining how governments make financial information available to citizens and whether public institutions have adequate oversight mechanisms. The report acknowledged several positive aspects of Pakistan’s fiscal system but highlighted important gaps that could make it harder for Parliament and the public to fully assess government spending plans and financial risks. One of the key concerns was the delayed publication of the executive budget proposal. The report said Pakistan did not release the proposal within a reasonable period, limiting the opportunity for lawmakers and citizens to examine spending and revenue priorities before the budget was formally approved. The State Department recommended that the government publish its proposed budget in a timely manner to allow greater public scrutiny and parliamentary debate. The report also raised concerns over the limited disclosure of government debt obligations, particularly liabilities linked to major state-owned enterprises. More comprehensive information, it said, would provide a clearer picture of Pakistan’s overall financial position and help identify potential fiscal risks. Despite these shortcomings, the assessment offered credit for several areas of Pakistan’s financial transparency. It said enacted budgets and year-end reports were widely and easily accessible, including online. Publicly available budget documents were also found to provide a substantially complete picture of most planned government expenditures and revenues, including income from natural resources. Pakistan’s auditing arrangements received a broadly favourable assessment. The report said budget information was generally reliable and subject to scrutiny by the country’s supreme audit institution. It further noted that the institution met international standards of independence and made its findings public within a reasonable period. The assessment also examined natural resource contracts and public procurement. It found that Pakistan had established legal procedures for awarding natural resource extraction licences and appeared to follow them in practice. Information on public procurement contracts was also considered accessible. However, the report identified a particularly sensitive area requiring greater oversight: military and intelligence spending. According to the assessment, the budgets of military and intelligence agencies were not subject to adequate parliamentary or civilian public oversight. The State Department included stronger scrutiny of these expenditures among its principal recommendations. Overall, the report presented a mixed picture rather than describing Pakistan’s fiscal system as broadly opaque. It recognised progress in publishing budgets, audit findings and procurement information while urging authorities to close key transparency gaps. The recommendations underline the importance of timely financial disclosure and stronger parliamentary scrutiny in improving accountability, public confidence and the management of Pakistan’s fiscal risks.

  • |

    Brazil’s Lula announces fourth-term campaign…

    Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has launched his campaign for a fourth term at a Workers’ Party convention in Sao Paulo, confirming it would be his final bid for office. Centring his platform on global affairs and national defence, the 80-year-old leader pledged to increase military spending and protect the country’s vast rare earth mineral reserves. He warned foreign powers that Brazil would not permit nations like China, France, or the United States to access these resources without respecting territorial sovereignty. Lula currently holds a slight lead in opinion polls against his likely main challenger, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro.

  • | | | |

    US forces to leave Iraqi Kurdistan by September 30

    BAGHDAD: The Iraqi government has announced that US forces will complete their withdrawal from Iraq’s Kurdistan region by September 30, marking another step in the planned transition of the American military mission in the country. According to foreign media reports, Iraqi and US officials held discussions in the Kurdistan region regarding the withdrawal and the transfer of military responsibilities. Under the plan, US military bases in Kurdistan will be handed over to Iraqi security forces following the departure of American personnel. The Iraqi government said the movement of US military equipment and personnel out of the region is already underway. The withdrawal is expected to take place in coordination with Iraqi authorities to ensure an orderly transition. The announcement comes as Baghdad and Washington continue implementing an agreement reached in 2024 on the gradual transition of the US-led military mission in Iraq. The agreement envisaged a phased reduction of the international coalition’s military role while strengthening Iraq’s own security capabilities. US forces have played a significant role in supporting Iraqi forces in the fight against Islamic State militants and in providing training, intelligence and logistical assistance. The latest withdrawal from Kurdistan is therefore likely to attract attention as Iraq assumes greater responsibility for securing military facilities previously used by US forces. The Iraqi government has not provided further details on the exact number of American troops or equipment involved in the latest phase of the withdrawal.

  • | | |

    Pakistani leaders praise Makkah Agreement as histo…

    Federal ministers, ministers of state, cabinet members and parliamentarians have welcomed the Makkah Agreement between Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. They described the agreement as a major step towards peace, security and stability in the region. The leaders said the agreement reflects a shared vision among the three countries. They said it could strengthen cooperation and improve regional security. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan had achieved a historic diplomatic success. He said the defence agreement could help open a new chapter of peace and stability in the region. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also welcomed the agreement. He described it as a milestone for peace and security. He said the people had welcomed the development. Federal Minister Owais Leghari said the defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye was a positive development. He said it would help strengthen the security of the three countries and contribute to peace in the region. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the agreement reflected the vision of the leadership of the three countries. He said it would further strengthen bilateral and trilateral relations. He added that the agreement could also promote unity among Muslim countries. He described it as a new source of hope for the Muslim world. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the agreement was an important step towards greater unity among Muslim countries. Amir Muqam said Pakistan was achieving significant diplomatic successes under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Abdul Aleem Khan said the agreement would promote brotherhood and cooperation among Islamic countries. He congratulated the nation and the Muslim Ummah on the development. Minister of State Shaza Fatima said Pakistan was increasingly being recognised as a country committed to peace. She said the historic agreement would help strengthen Pakistan’s position internationally. Rana Sanaullah said signing the agreement in the holy city of Makkah was a matter of honour for Pakistan. He said the agreement between the brotherly countries could create new opportunities for peace and cooperation. He also praised the efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir in making the agreement possible. Sanaullah said stronger cooperation among Muslim countries could contribute to their development and prosperity. Daniyal Chaudhry described the Makkah joint defence agreement as a major diplomatic and security milestone for Pakistan. He said the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had played an important role in achieving the historic agreement.

  • | |

    Cortis urges fans to put phones down

    SEOUL: K-pop boy band Cortis is challenging a growing concert habit by asking fans to put their phones away and experience performances without constantly recording them. The group made the message central to its ongoing global tour, which is also titled “Put Your Phone Down.” The tour began in Incheon on July 18 and is scheduled to travel to several international cities before returning to Seoul later this month. During the opening show, one of the members repeatedly called on the audience to put their phones down. While some fans followed the request, thousands continued filming the performance on their devices. The band’s message has sparked debate among fans, particularly within K-pop culture, where concert videos and fancams play an important role. Fans frequently record their favourite artists and share the footage online, where clips are used to revisit performances, study choreography and capture moments that might otherwise be forgotten. Some concertgoers said recording was important because live shows can be rare and expensive experiences. One 22-year-old fan said she had even rented a high-end smartphone specifically to capture Cortis’s performances. She explained that she records concerts because memories of the event can fade quickly once the show ends. Others welcomed the group’s approach. A 25-year-old concertgoer said she noticed fans dancing and enjoying themselves more freely when they were not focused on their screens. The debate reflects a wider discussion in the global music industry. Several international artists have introduced restrictions on phone use during concerts, including systems that place devices inside locked pouches for the duration of performances. Cortis, however, appears to be taking a less restrictive approach. Rather than completely banning phones, the group has encouraged fans to treat putting their devices away as a way of being more present during the show. The band’s message also softened during its second concert. According to fans who attended, the members acknowledged that people naturally wanted to record the performances but urged them to maintain a balance between filming and enjoying the experience. The group has rapidly gained attention since making its debut under BigHit Music. Its members are mostly teenagers, while the oldest member, James, is 20. Cortis has also expanded its international profile, recently performing at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago. The band’s name comes from the phrase “colour outside the lines,” reflecting its stated image of challenging conventions. Its campaign against excessive phone use appears to follow that same spirit. Rather than treating concert filming as simply right or wrong, Cortis is encouraging fans to remember that a live performance is also about direct interaction between artists and their audience.

  • |

    CIA chief John Ratcliffe makes surprise Moscow vis…

    MOSCOW: CIA Director John Ratcliffe has made an unannounced visit to Moscow, drawing international attention as the United States and Russia remain locked in tensions over the Ukraine war and wider geopolitical disputes. Ratcliffe reportedly arrived in the Russian capital on Tuesday aboard a US Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III military transport aircraft. The plane had earlier travelled from Andrews Air Force Base near Washington to Riga, Latvia, before continuing to Moscow. The unusual flight immediately raised questions about the purpose of the visit. US and Russian officials have not publicly disclosed details of Ratcliffe’s schedule, while the CIA has also declined to provide information about his meetings. US media reports said the CIA chief was in Moscow for discussions with Russian officials. However, the identities of those involved and the subjects discussed remain unclear. The visit is particularly significant because direct, high-level contacts between senior US intelligence officials and Moscow have become rare since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ratcliffe’s trip is believed to be the first known visit to Russia by a sitting CIA director since William Burns travelled to Moscow in November 2021. Burns held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the time. The latest development comes amid continuing diplomatic efforts surrounding the Russia-Ukraine conflict and broader disagreements between Washington and Moscow. It also follows growing tensions linked to Russia’s relationship with Iran and the wider security situation in the Middle East. Reports have also indicated that Washington asked Ukraine to avoid strikes on Moscow and St Petersburg during the period of the senior US official’s visit. US officials have not publicly confirmed the request or explained its circumstances. The secrecy surrounding Ratcliffe’s journey has fueled speculation about whether the talks could involve intelligence cooperation, Ukraine-related diplomacy, security concerns or other sensitive matters. No official confirmation has emerged to support any particular explanation. For now, the CIA director’s unexpected appearance in Moscow remains shrouded in mystery, but the trip underscores that high-level channels between Washington and Moscow remain active despite deep political and military differences.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *