Tom Cruise Still Loved Nicole Kidman Yet Dated Penelope Cruz & Took Her to Resort He Booked with His Ex

"Top Gun" actor dominated Hollywood throughout the 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s, but while he was confident in his career, Tom Cruise could not decide who he wanted in his life. The actor still loved Nicole Kidman but went on to date Penelope Cruz.

Tom Cruise stole the hearts of many with his handsomeness, composure, and impressive hero-of-the-day skills in action films.

However, during the peak of his career, the actor did not spend much time flaunting his bachelor card (he was in a short-term marriage with Mimi Rogers) as he found the yin to his yang after appearing alongside the stunning actress Nicole Kidman.

The pair married in 1990, almost as soon as they fell in love and became an item, leading them to attain the title of power couple for a few years.

Despite being entertainers with busy schedules, they both dedicated time to building and enjoying their relationship, even if it involved getting up in the early hours of the morning to go racing.

Unfortunately, things ended rather quickly for both of them and their fans, who were shocked at the news of their divorce.

After all, it was almost impossible to accept that they were one of the best couples in town, who proved that the perfect love they portrayed on-screen while acting together could be achieved in reality.

They never stayed away for more than two weeks, always holding hands in public whenever captured by the paparazzi, and had created a desirable family with their two kids. Yet, they were ready to separate.

Despite their willingness to part, the former super couple remained discreet about their divorce. They never mentioned the reason their love turned sour through interviews. However, Cruise maintained that they knew the cause and were not obliged to share. In his words:

"No, I mean, she knows why, and she is the mother of my children, and I wish her well. I don't care if it piques people's interest…my life isn't here to sell newspapers."

TOM CRUISE FINDS ANOTHER LOVER SOONER THAN EXPECTED

It is never surprising to see one of the industry's charming actors move on after a failed relationship, but seeing Cruise find love again ten months after his separation and four months after divorce from his one-time soulmate raised eyebrows.

Still, it was all about his happiness, so after meeting actress Penelope Cruz on the set of 2000's "Vanilla Sky," the pair began dating the following year, making the headlines.

The gossip mills churned out speculations that his marriage crashed because of an alleged intimacy with Cruz.

But whatever it was, by 2001, the "Vanilla Sky" stars were confident to show off that they were in a romantic relationship by going on several dates publicly. The "Top Gun" actor even scheduled a getaway at Wakaya Club in Fiji.

This was shocking to Kidman, who was away in Australia, as the resort was where she and Cruise had made reservations before their split. It did not seem to matter what people or his ex-wife thought.

The actor was in love and did not try to hide it. He only tamed his responses about his new relationship. According to Cruise:

"I thought, My God, I'm your boyfriend. You're my girlfriend! Cruise and Cruz!"

During a press conference, Cruise confessed that Cruz's kindness attracted him to her. In response, the actress blushed about being with him, stating that he is a humble and generous fellow.

Many expected this to be a successful relationship. Rumors that they may tie the knot and that the Spanish native was pregnant surfaced— Cruise did not deny his desire for a future wedding, confirming that they were genuinely in love.

A POSSIBLE HAPPY-NEVER-AFTER?

As time went on, sources contemplated that there were inconsistencies between the pair. Although Cruise denied rumors of a rift, an insider revealed that their work, which involved filming in different locations, strained the couple's relationship.

Their distance made it difficult to maintain the bond, but Cruise and his girlfriend would spend time in his Colorado resort whenever they were together.

While they strived to make up for their absence, the pair were soon hit with a severe allegation questioning Cruz's fidelity.

An Australian publication wrote that the Spaniard told her family about an affair with another man when she began dating Cruise.

Eventually, it was discovered to be a lie, and Cruz proved that she was faithful by suing the media source. Soon, there was trouble in paradise.

It was reported that Cruz was jealous that her lover still kept in touch with his ex-wife. It even became worse when the actor publicly declared that his love for Kidman would never die.

As if that was not enough, Cruz discovered that the former partners had shared emotional and late-night conversations over the phone. Naturally, this made her furious, putting their relationship in a figuring-things-out mood.

The "Vanilla Sky" actress also complained that it had been an arduous task trying to curry the affection of her lover's kids. The couple began appearing without each other's company at events before they finally broke the news.

First, the couple separated quietly and then confirmed that they were no longer an item but chose to remain friends. Details of their breakup included how much being apart affected their love life.

LIFE FOR CRUISE AFTER CRUZ

After his time with Cruz, there was no doubt that the actor still cared about his ex-wife. During a 2005 interview with "60 Minutes" reporter Peter Overton, Cruise maintained that he still loved Kidman, with whom he is raising his kids.

Unfortunately, the "Mission Impossible" star did not keep the same energy when it came to his ex-lover, Cruz. Even though they promised to remain friends in their breakup statement, they never really shared a close relationship.

It was glaring when they met at Bryan Lourd's house party. The actor was engaged in a conversation with some fellow when Cruz walked up to him and tapped him. Cruise responded awkwardly with a distant and short-time hug.

Despite the rigid friendship, Cruz turned out to be a happy woman as in 2009, she became engaged to a longtime friend turned lover, Javier Bardem. The pair first met in 1992 while working on a movie but began dating in 2007.

The pair never talked about their love life throughout their courtship, but they were sure it was meant to be, considering how passionate Cruz became. She was described as having "the loving blood."

Speaking about their love life that lasted for more than a decade, Bardem explained that they have evolved. Learning and differentiating fiction from reality have been responsible for their togetherness. In the end, he said:

"Penélope and I, we have to protect the 'us'"

Generally, both exes, Cruise and Cruz, are doing great apart and have found their happiness in the family. While the Spanish star is happily married with kids, the actor, divorced from his third wife, Katie Holmes, has nothing but love for his children.