The last time I really paid attention to Isabella Cruise (daughter of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman) was when the tabloids reported last year that when she turned 18 years old, she wanted to move out of The Castle d’Xenu and move in with her mom, Nicole. Tom’s people ran around and denied the story, and it seemed DOA, especially considering that Isabella rarely leaves her step-mom’s side. Bella is photographed with Katie Holmes and Suri a lot – although Bella doesn’t seem to spend much time with her dad.
Actually, you know what? That wasn’t the last time I thought about Isabella. I thought about her when Nicole Kidman gave this interview, where Nicole said about Bella and Connor: “They live with Tom, which was their choice. I’d love them to live with us, but what can you do?” It was one of the rare times Nicole ever made reference to her non-Sunday-Rose-Faith-Margaret babies. And it made me sad for Bella and Connor, because I get the feeling that they’re totally indoctrinated in the Church of Scientology, and that Nicole didn’t fight it. I also think that if Bella really did want to move in with her mom, Nicole wouldn’t really “love” it.
Anyway, I found this new story about Bella and Katie Holmes very interesting on several different levels:
Tom Cruise‘s oldest daughter is joining the family business. While Isabella “Bella” Cruise won’t be lighting up the silver screen anytime soon, she’s recently taken on the role of apprentice at stepmom Katie Holmes‘s fashion label Holmes & Yang.
“Kate’s designing and [Bella] is just working her way up,” a beaming Tom Cruise told PEOPLE at the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance National Tribute Dinner in Beverly Hills Thursday, where he was joined by Holmes and son Connor.
“She’s an artist, Bella, so it’s really great that she gets to work with it,” he added. “She’s loving it.”
While her family gathered at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel to support Cruise, who was honored with the Humanitarian Award, 18-year-old Bella was on a flight back from New York City where she’s been learning about the burgeoning Holmes & Yang line.
“This is my wife’s company, so you talk about movie sets with me, I can tell you [about] that,” Cruise joked while attempting to explain what exactly his daughter is doing with her step-mom’s brand. “You’ve got to go to all these different factories and verify and make sure you get the correct clothes,” he said.
And is the father of three proud of his daughter’s new design aspirations? “I am,” he confirmed. “It’s wonderful!”
[From People]
On one level, it’s kind of nice that Bella and Katie both have a life-line in each other. They can go off and “design” – something that I hope involves drinking, eating, laughing, being girly and having fun. On another level, it’s just funny/sad. Katie’s Holmes-Yang line is so busted and stupid, but hey, maybe it will be a good experience for Bella.
One last thing about Katie – you remember these photos of Katie looking kind of bumpy and pregnant? Katie‘s rep went to E! News and said: “She’s not pregnant and this photo looks doctored.” Bitch, please. I mean, sure, I don’t think she’s pregnant. But the photos aren’t doctored. Katie just has a little tummy. It’s no big deal.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Bella sure does sherpa! She seems to be carrying shopping bags, diaper bags, you name it in all the photos I’ve seen of her and Katie. Has she signed a million year Sea Org contract as the Cruise family servant?
Or, are the older kids paparazzi shy? I don’t see much body language cues of love and affection from Tom, Katie, or even Nicole (when she was still with Tom). Mostly, we see “The Suri Show” 24/7, and Bella and Connor are in the background, if at all.
I dunno, something just feels a little sad and off with Bella and Connor.
The whole situation seems sad. That poor kid has probably never been allowed to make a decision in her life.
Why does Katie have a clothing line? Her clothes usually look awful. I guess her husband bought it to keep her busy.
I feel bad for Bella. She is just so unfortunate looking, and really does nothing to make herself more attractive.
That comment was uncalled for, insensitive and rude. Why would you use “unfortunate looking” for a teenage girl who might or may have read this. I think she is beautiful and doesn’t fit “your” example of good looks.
Those kids are like a new toy you buy a kid. For a while it’s the best thing going…after a while you hardly notice it. Sad. Their so screwed up by scientology at this point it doesn’t matter.
So the position of nanny/purse-carrier is open then?
All snark aside, I don’t think Nicole had much choice in the whole “kids raised in Xenu” and “very limited contact if you actually succeed in your escape” deal. It’s not like she was some “calibre celeb” when she entered that marriage (or TC never would have married her – which should tell you something, KH), so she didn’t really have a say. She probably signed sh!t left & right, fascinated that “TOM!!” would “want” her. Until she realised what being with “TOM!!” actually meant.
When she finally found her voice, it was already too late. KH, this is your future…
It’s got to suck having Nicole Kidman as an absent mom and than seeing all the attention Suri gets for being the biological Cruise (although she looks a a lot like her dad) I would love for her to sit down in an old style tell all interview or write a memoir but who knows if I’ll live to see the day that she spills the beans.
@the original bellaluna I don’t think anyone remembers that Nicole was only 19 when she married Tom and from Australia no less she obviously sold her soul to the devil without really thinking through the decision.
@ mln76 – I agree. But it shocks me that people don’t realise. When her star started to rise, TC was PISSED. Nicole wasn’t supposed to be “The STAR,” he was. I don’t doubt for a second that Nicole was just as trapped as KH is now. I only wonder if KH can extricate herself from that mess, like Nicole.
“I feel bad for Bella. She is just so unfortunate looking, and really does nothing to make herself more attractive.”
Knock it off – that’s a nasty thing to say about a young girl who happens to be in the spotlight by circumstance rather than by her own desire.
There are more than looks that matter when you judge a girl or woman.
I think Nicole Kidman has MUCH better taste than Katie Holmes….It’s sad they don’t spend much time together. I’m adopted and incredibly close with my father…so close in fact, that people are shocked when they find out he isn’t my blood father. I just know the relationship can be there, and it’s sad when it isn’t.
edit@cleveland-I feel bad for someone who has to talk about a young woman and her looks like that. She’s a kid, for goodness sake! This isn’t the movie Mean Girls. Back off.
I hope for them that the ‘Yang’ part of ‘Holmes & Yang’ is the creative side.
I don’t like to pass judgement on Nicole Kidman on the Bella/Connor situation. I’ll judge makeup and hair and clothes and plastic surgery and dumb comments….but not a relationship that I think has always been about TC and the CoS and how much power he wields, not about NK as a mother.
Katie’s eyes have such a dead look to them. It creeps me out.
I suppose it’s good for Bella to be involved with Katie’s *snicker* fashion line though. It’s always nice to have something to bond with mom (stepmom) over. As much as I have a hard time picturing any of these people having fun, playing dress up with mom does sound like a good time.
Btw, my “playing dress up” comment is not meant as a dig at anyone who works in the fashion industry. It’s only meant as a dig at Katie Holmes. I’m sure other people work hard to get where they are in the industry. Katie is rich enough to just get handed a label, and thus does not deserve the same level of respect from me as someone who had to hustle for their line.
Before she was identified, I had assumed Bella was Suri’s nanny. She is always walking behind Katie, carrying things, looking dumpy and sullen. Very sad.
I thought Katie was the face of Ann Taylor. Isn’t having her own line a conflict of interest?
I wouldn’t say that Bella is “unfortunate” looking. She’s actually quite cute. but, I DO agree that she doesn’t do anything to make herself look good, just “presentable”. Hair not really styled at all, no or minimal make up, and not very flattering clothes.
she also usually looks MISERABLE in most pictures I see of her.
bellaluna, I think your take on Kidman/Cruise is spot on. she married young thinking “I’m marrying a MOVIE STAR!” not realizing what she was getting into, and I agree that it’s the same with Katie.
RUN BELLA RUN!!
Have we ever seen Bella smile? Ever? Okay, just searched and found three pictures where Bella looks happy, or at least content – all with Nicole. Very sad.
Nothing against Bella I think Bella should go to design school, learn the trade and join the business. She needs to learn some foundation/basics if she wants to be really serious. Katie may have a clothing line but she can’t even dress herself she looks a mess most of the time and has a stylist her money like most celebrities paid for that line or should I say Tom money.
@Ann – You must not read this site very often. Bella, who, let’s face it, is frumpy and unfashionable in appearance (and is most likely a fine young lady in person) is going to work for a fashion label? That invites, even requires (on celebitchy) comment. And why should she be off limits when all of the other kids of celebs – even little Suri – are pilloried on a daily basis?
@ Sue
I doubt Bella would be allowed to go to design school and be surrounded by non-COS people. She probably has a COS “minder/friend” with her when she goes to NYC – pretty sad.
Did any1 notice yet again that Suri is sleeveless while they r wearing jackets?! lol
“The Suri Show” giggles.
Bella learn as much as you can and then later extort money from your dad (his secrets) to start your own fabulous fashion line.
I wish her the best, smdh.
born into Scieno-hood is tough. I feel bad for her, hope she gets out. Katie is just a fool though; she had a choice.
This whole situation is so sad I very much doubt Nicole has any say in what those kids do. I think she would love to have them with her but that is never gonna happen unless TC allows it. Poor girl her and Katie look so miserable all the time. I think it kills Nicole knowing what her kids are living with & she can’t save them
I am beginning to hate Tom Cruise. He strikes me as someone who needs to have total control over everyone in his life, and Bella and Katie always look so subdued and ‘controlled’. It also occurred to me that he may not allow Bella to wear makeup. Makes me want to stage a raid on his compound. Grrrr
The older she gets, the more she looks like David Miscavige. Seriously.
The poor girl has the same blank stare as Katie, which is sad. She is a teenager and should be having fun and being silly, but she is being indoctrinated by her Aunt (Tom’s sister as she home schools them and I think they live with her most of the time), so it is all so very insular. Their son looks much happier as Tom takes him to out on occasion to regular activities like basketball games. Just not a happy looking bunch all around excep Tom’s maniacal grins.
Kate doesn’t have a perfect body, but she dresses so much better when she doesn’t try and follow trends that don’t suit her (ie. anything that calls attention to her legs/ankles, too short/too tight belly-baring tops).
I feel sorry for Isabella because I do believe she is a good artist (I saw some of her paintings in one of Tom’s houses on an Oprah show, I believe), and she should have complete artistic freedom to do what she wants to do with her craft. Scientology will squelch that out of her.
I think many people on here have a good point. Most who don’t already know who Bella is would think she is the nanny based on appearances (dumpy, plain, carrying purse, bags, etc and walking behind) while Suri is always taking center stage dressed grandly. It isn’t a deliberate dig at the Bella it is the evidence we see in photo after photo for the last 5 years or so. And nothing she or Katie wear would indicate that they have an interest in fashion. But good for her if that is what she wants to do.
I love the tank top Katie has on though and if she isn’t pregnant it might just be that she is slumping and has her stomach out. Many women think they have a belly because they don’t stand properly.
There was a blind on another site that said “which parent makes their children sign a confidential contract”
My money is on Tom Cruise.
Will Smith kids went to school and their scientologist so I don’t get why Tom’s kids can’t is he that controlling or is he scared that if they did interact with people outside of scientology whey might wake up and smell the crazy?
@Sue – Will Smith’s kids went to a school he “built”, kind of like Mel Gibson’s “church”.
I agree with those that say Bella always looks frumpy. Not snarking on her looks, but she has access to the best of everything, clothes, dermatologists, etc…and still looks like she doesn’t even have the will to try. I think this speaks volumes about how she feels. My poor ass can’t even afford a new lipstick, but I still try! The only time I look like hell is when I feel like hell.
Hate Kate’s striated jeans, but love her tweed jacket! I have the same boots, gotta get that jacket!
I know everything about their lives from just looking at photos.
Did you know that Bella is kept under lock-and-key in the basement?
Did you know that TC has a double the he sends out to be photographed with the kids, and he refuses to touch KH and the kids because they have alien skins?
Not one comment about Suri’s green boots? (Unless I missed it.) I think Suri is a little doll.
Maybe Bella needs to spend time with her mother; she seems suppressed, insecure and disconnected from the family and she does always appear more like an employee to Katie and Suri than a close relative. I think very importantly for pscychological and physical reasons Bella should have breast reduction surgery now.
She does not have any sense on style… so…. what is she doing at Holmes and Yang?
Ok- I dont always look great when out and about, but geez louise Katie! If you’re trying to slang fashion, I already look like that when I wake up so I’m super trendy!
I think Bella would be considered cute in any normal family. This girl is being raised by two tall, skinny, beautiful women and that would make anyone insecure. Like Bella and Connor I’m adopted – but the difference is I’m an only child. I don’t know how I would feel if both my parents had biological children. It’s easy to feel jealous of these doted on children, even for the most secure of us.
I’m not making excuses for Cruise, but am I the only one that’s heard that those kids absolutely dread the idea of living with Kidman? I actually LOVE vintage Cruise as an actor (and lets face it, girls. He was swoon worthy once upon a time as well), and I find Kidman to be a fantastic actor. But there are some other deep issues here…besides the Scientology bit.
If Scientology and Cruise were living up to the hype, that young woman Bella would be smiling and happy and not so chubby and blah looking. She looks super stuck and super unhappy.
That girls is not interested in fashion. She isn’t fashionably dressed in a single photo. I wonder if she acts as an inconspicuous Scientology spy, keeping a close eye on Katie?
I feel terrible for Bella, especially in that last shot of her carrying no less than 3 purses. The photo says it all. 🙁
But I love that Bella seems so normal, and that she seems to eschew trying to look and act like a celebrity kid.
Isn’t there a “Cure all” Scientology plan for dieting??? Lose weight and get some ProActive
Gobo-I kind of had the same suspicion.
Not sure if Bella would willfully want to keep an eye on Katie, but I can see Tom putting her up to it.
(btw, I changed my username from AnnieFleming to Annie_Grey)
“I feel bad for Bella. She is just so unfortunate looking, and really does nothing to make herself more attractive.”
Why r u sorry? I don’t think she is ugly she looks pretty average and IF she is ugly, I’m sure that she has the resources and means to change that, but maybe, just maybe she is comfortable being “unfortunate” looking. I would say that you are really shallow, but I would be a hypocrite since I screamed when I saw Ethan Hawke’s wife 0_o….
This whole family kreeps me out.
How is it Tom and Kate have all that money and yet Bella looks like she rolled out of Goodwill Thrift Shop? She wants to work in fashion? Try looking a bit nicer Bella!
Once Kidman had to raise Scientology children while with Cruise,I believe the children must remain with that destructive cult. Once Kidman split with Cruise, she might not have been allowed to take the children. It’s as if Scientology took ownership of them. It’s all so unfortunate. Adults can make choices, but children must accept whatever the adults choose for them.
I am surprised Katie isn’t carrying Bella as well.
I know Nicole got lots of critic about her comment but if my children (teenagers or close to) decide to live with dad, so be it. I also will leave them to stick up with the consequences.
Bella looks most of the time like a background nanny and not as a child with equal rights, I feel sorry for her. On the other side she can decide for herself(on theory) soon enough.
Bella is probably the slave fabric and pattern cutter and latte fetcher.
And Suri is 5 years old now why does Kate carry her all the time! I’m sure there are 4 security guys lurking in the background to protect them all so put her down & let her walk!!
That photo is totally doctored. I work with photoshop for a living, and it’s clearly doctored from right about where her elbow is down. The shadows don’t make any sense past there. That’s also not naturally how having “a little tummy” would look.
I think that’s good for their relationship ..
🙂
If it’s her choice I’m happy for Isabella. I have no beef with Scientology anymore. Religion does not reflect who a person is. If your a bad parent one can not blame a religion for that. There’s alot of people that worship the devil and uses magic etc. and we’re not worried about them. And no I don’t think all scientologist are evil. I dig deep into Scientology to find out that their innocent involving my father abandoning me David was suppose to be a racist back then. And I don’t believe David beat the snap out of everyone in Scientology that was near him on a bad day, one guy accussing him has no neck so how the hell did he grap it. And I still find it amusing that David got tried of F*ing his wife and is now sleeping with his communicator priceless! So, he’s human after all lol.
And besides I’m more important than my dad. And it wouldn’t be surprise if he would break off with any religion because he wanted to take control of it. I see Scientology kids now promoting their religion if they believe in it so be it, just as long as there’s no brainwashing, black magic, and scientology is actually trying to learn and improve from their mistakes by allowing people to get medical treatment and stop thinking their God and can fix everything, etc.