Nicole Kidman opens up about Scientology rift with her older kids

Australian actress Nicole Kidman has spoken about her children’s decision to be Scientologists, following in the footsteps of their dad, Tom Cruise.

The former couple, who married in 1990, adopted Isabella, 26, and Connor, 24, before divorcing in 2001.

The children chose to live with their father, and now Kidman has said her role as their mother is to show them “unconditional love.”

 Actress Nicole Kidman and her children Connor and Isabella attend a game in LA in 2004
Nicole Kidman has opened up about her kids Connor and Isabella staying in Scientology. Photo: Getty Images

“Motherhood is about the journey. There are going to be incredible peaks and valleys, whether you are an adopting mother or a birth mother. What a child needs is love,” the 52-year-old told The Sun.

“They have made choices to be Scientologists. It’s our job as a parent to always offer unconditional love. It’s not about anything else other than, ‘I’m here to love and support you.’”

Kidman met Cruise on the set of Days of Thunder in 1989. They married in December 1990 but were divorced by August 2001.

Nicole Kidman carries her son, Connor, as Tom Cruise holds their daughter, Isabella
Nicole and Tom adopted Connor and Isabella. Photo: Getty Images
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman wear matching white shirts
Kidman met Cruise on the set of Days of Thunder in 1989. They married in December 1990 but were divorced by August 2001. Photo: Getty Images

The Aussie actress went on to marry country signer Keith Urban in 2006, and they have two daughters, Sunnie, 10 and Faith, 8.

Cruise also has a daughter Suri, 12, from his marriage to Katie Holmes. The couple married in 2006.

Kidman has previously denied rumours of a rift with her adopted children. She caused a stir when she picked up an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in Limited Series or Movie in 2017.

The actress gave an impassioned speech about her two daughters Sunday and Faith but failed to mention Isabella and Connor.

“They have made choices to be Scientologists and as a mother, it’s my job to love them,”she later told Who.

Actress Nicole Kidman and actor Tom Cruise attend the Oscars in 1991
Kidman says first husband Tom Cruise (pictured in 1991) "swept me off my feet." Photo: Getty Images

“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.”

Words by Danny Thompson and Suchandrika Chakrabarti

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