Suri Cruise is making headlines for a momentous reason, and her famous mother, actress Katie Holmes, is feeling more than the pangs of separation anxiety.
Katie Holmes is bracing for a significant life change as her daughter with Tom Cruise, Suri Cruise, 18, prepares to move out and attend college. In an August 13 interview with Town and Country magazine, Katie shared her pride in Suri’s achievements.
“I’m proud of my daughter. Of course, I will miss the close proximity, but I’m really proud of her, and I’m happy,” the 45-year-old actress said in the interview.
As a mother who has worked diligently to protect Suri from the public eye, Katie now faces the challenge of balancing her daughter’s growing independence with their desire for privacy.
Reflecting on this new chapter, Holmes shared her mixed emotions, recalling, “I remember being this age, this time of beginnings. It’s exciting to learn about yourself, and I loved that time, so it makes me happy to think about it like that.”
While the “Dawson’s Creek” actress is preparing to adjust to her new role as an empty nester with the support of her community—joking that her book club “members are going to get annoyed” hearing from her—Suri seems to be facing her own struggles.
An Australian news publication reported on August 5 that Suri was seen in a more vulnerable moment. While walking through Brooklyn, she appeared emotional during a phone call, with tears streaming down her face and her hand on her forehead, visibly distressed by whatever was on the other end of the line.
The teenage daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes has been seen bursting into tears while on the phone during a walk in New York.https://t.co/m9NXiAwzZd
— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) August 5, 2024
Suri has long been under the public eye, enduring intense scrutiny from a young age. The paparazzi images of Suri clinging to her parents amid a crowd of cameras remain a powerful reminder of the pressures she has faced.
Katie has always prioritized Suri’s well-being, as she revealed in a 2014 interview with People, stating, “My main goal is to just let her know how much I love her. Just to let her know that she is so loved.”
As a single mother, Katie has balanced her career and motherhood with the support of a close-knit network, including her mother Kathleen, who is always “willing to fly” to her, ready to help, whether needed or not.
Katie said that she relies on her diverse group of friends, who have children of various ages, for support and advice, whether it’s for parenting tips, recipes, or simply an extra helping hand.
Even with help from others, Katie has always focused on being there for Suri as much as possible. “I do have help, yes, but … it’s your baby, you know? You want to be the one who is there,” she said.
Katie has openly shared the challenges of motherhood, reflecting on the common worries of many working parents, such as questioning whether they’re doing enough and spending enough time with their children.
However, she has learned to accept the imperfections that come with parenting. “Motherhood has taught me to just let go of some things, to relinquish control,” Katie reflected on the lesson that continues to guide her as both she and Suri embark on this new chapter in their lives.
Katie’s thoughts on motherhood, along with Suri’s recent breakdown in Brooklyn, come after Suri graduated from New York’s famous LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in June.
Suri Cruise graduates from high school! Katie Holmes' daughter, 18, beams with joy as she receives her diploma – while dad Tom Cruise attends Taylor Swift gig in London https://t.co/gLAU6Mdtvv pic.twitter.com/rdP9Ovc7Yy
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) June 22, 2024
Despite Suri marking a significant milestone in her life, her father was notably absent. Tom was spotted at Taylor Swift’s Eras tour in London instead. Still, his absence didn’t deter the proud teen from radiating happiness.
The joyous occasion saw Suri capturing precious moments with her mom and a friend after she received her high school diploma. She also shared heartfelt hugs with her fellow graduates.
Suri and Katie exuded joy as they posed for photos against a backdrop of a charming brick building. The 18-year-old graduate looked stunning in a white dress paired with matching sandals beneath her graduation gown. Her brunette hair flowed gracefully over her shoulders.
Katie, ever the style icon, opted for cream-pleated pants and a collared long-sleeve shirt. She completed the ensemble with elegant grey sandals. While Suri soaked in the support and love from her mother, her dad’s absence on this important day stirred mixed reactions online.
Outraged fans didn’t hold back, with one exclaiming, “Shame on her father!” Another one said, “I can’t believe her Father didn’t come to her graduation!”
Amid the backlash, some supporters applauded Suri’s decision to drop her father’s name, with one noting, “From now on, call her by her chosen name.” The day after Suri’s graduation, her father was all smiles at Wembley Stadium in London, enjoying Taylor’s concert.
He looked sharp in a white T-shirt, dark jeans, and a black jacket, as he shared the spotlight with A-listers like British actor Hugh Grant.
Tom’s absence from the graduation isn’t surprising, given his estrangement from Suri for years. Their relationship has largely been financial, with no public sightings together since 2013 after Tom and Katie divorced.
tom cruise??? #LondonTSTheErasTour pic.twitter.com/oxIFxa6LUE
— ANDREW (@andrewnavs) June 22, 2024
At the graduation ceremony, it was noted in the program that she now goes by “Suri Noelle,” indicating her decision to drop her father’s last name upon turning 18. Noelle is her mother’s middle name, as Katie’s full name is Kate Noelle Holmes.
Meanwhile, Suri is determined to forge her own path at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. The college is renowned for its top-ranked School of Design.
With a deep interest in fashion, Suri explored various college options before settling on Carnegie Mellon. She revealed the college name in a since-deleted TikTok video with her friends from LaGuardia High School.
In the video, posted on “LaG commitment day” and set to Abbi Sutphen’s uplifting tune “Always Remember You,” Suri displayed her choice by wearing a vibrant red Carnegie Mellon hoodie. The clip captured her enthusiasm as she grinned and playfully highlighted her school’s name for the camera.
Suri’s college expenses will be covered by her dad as agreed in their divorce settlement, which includes an annual payment of $400,000 until she turns 18. This agreement underscores his commitment to her future as she prepares to pursue her dreams in higher education.
As Suri Cruise starts college, Katie Holmes feels both proud and wistful. Despite Suri’s emotional moments and her new journey at Carnegie Mellon, their strong bond and Katie’s support highlight their shared excitement for the fresh, new chapter ahead.