Nicole Kidman Opens Up About The Children She And Tom Cruise Adopted & Scientology

Nicole Kidman opened up about Isabella and Connor Cruise, her two adopted children with Tom Cruise, in an interview a few years ago.

The 55-year-old actress' two older kids are both members of the Church of Scientology, just like their dad. Nicole hasn't appeared publicly with Isabella or Connor in years.

People have long speculated that Scientology drove Nicole apart from the rest of the family, but she rarely speaks about it herself. When she finally decided to give us an update, she addressed the topic in an interview with Australia's Who magazine.

"They are adults. They are able to make their own decisions," Nicole said.

"They have made choices to be Scientologists and as a mother, it's my job to love them."

Importantly, Nicole isn't a member of the church herself. One source claims that the church deemed her an SP, or Suppressive Person, thus cutting her off from her family.

Nonetheless, she says she loves all of her children unconditionally. In addition to Isabella and Connor, Nicole has two younger daughters with her husband, Keith Urban.

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@nicolekidman / Instagram

It seems like forever ago that Nicole and Tom were an item. The couple got married in 1990.

They adopted two children together, Isabella, now 29, and Connor, now 27, before splitting in 2001.

Actor Tom Cruise's children Isabella and Connor arrive for a party at a restaurant in Rome
Chris Helgren / Reuters

Tom is a high-profile member of the Church of Scientology, and Isabella and Connor are reportedly members as well. But Nicole is not.

Nicole has always been tight-lipped about the role that Scientology plays in her relationships with her older children and her ex-husband.

But in the November 2021 issue of Who magazine, the actress gave a rare statement on the topic.

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@nicolekidman / Instagram

"They have made choices to be Scientologists and as a mother, it's my job to love them," she explained.

"And I am an example of that tolerance and that's what I believe — that no matter what your child does, the child has love and the child has to know there is available love and I'm open here."

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@nicolekidman / Instagram

Previously, Nicole told Vogue that she had "chosen not to speak publicly abut Scientology," as per the Daily Mail.

"I have two children who are Scientologists — Connor and Isabella — and I utterly respect their beliefs," she said.

Back in 2010, Nicole also said that the kids chose to live with Tom instead of her: "I'd love them to live with us, but what can you do?"

By that time, Nicole had started a family with her current husband, Keith Urban. The couple shares two daughters.

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@nicolekidman / Instagram

Nicole told Who magazine that she's "very private" about her relationships with Isabella and Connor.

22nd Hollywood Film Awards– Photo Room – Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Danny Moloshok / Reuters

"I have to protect all those relationships," she said. "I know 150 percent that I would give up my life for my children because it's what my purpose is."

She went on to explain that, no matter what, she'll always love them unconditionally.

"I think that’s so important because if that is taken away from a child, to sever that in any child, in any relationship, in any family — I believe it’s wrong," Nicole said. "So that’s our job as a parent, to always offer unconditional love."

Actor Tom Cruise and his wife actress Nicole Kidman arrive January 19 at the 54th Annual Golden Glob..
Fred Prouser / Reuters

Rumors have long swirled that Scientology drove a wedge between Nicole and her older children.

Cruise and son Connor sit court side with Katzenberg during Game 2 of their NBA Western Conference final playoff series in Los Angeles
Danny Moloshok / Reuters

According to former Scientologist Leah Remini in her book, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, and as reported by the Daily Mail, Isabella once called her mother "a f***ing SP."

An SP is the Scientology term for a Suppressive Person, or someone who doesn't support the church.

Isabella Cruise gets her hair dyed blue
Splash News

Notably, Nicole wasn't at Isabella's wedding in 2015, and Nicole hasn't appeared in a public photograph with either child in years.

Despite this, Connor told Woman's Day in 2014 that his relationship with his mom is "solid."

Nicole once caught flack for failing to mention her older children in an acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, during which she spoke lovingly of her two younger daughters.

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Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

Clearly, there's still a lot to unpack here! Either way, it's great that Nicole continues to offer all four of her kids unconditional love and support.