'She Looks Sad': Suri Cruise, 18, Spotted with Mom Katie Holmes Dragging Huge Suitcases, Sparking Mixed Reactions

While Suri Cruise and Katie Holmes celebrated the start of a new chapter, their casual outfits caught the attention of online onlookers. Despite the excitement of college life, fashion police overshadowed the momentous occasion.

Suri Cruise is officially stepping into a brand-new chapter of her life—college! The 18-year-old was spotted over the weekend moving into her dorm at Carnegie Mellon University, with mom Katie Holmes lending a helping hand.

However, her dad, Tom Cruise was notably absent. Instead, he was busy living it up in London. The mother-daughter duo was all smiles as they hauled suitcases and bags across campus.

Suri looked effortlessly cool in long denim shorts and an off-the-shoulder white top. She was seen rolling her two suitcases as she embraced this exciting milestone.

Katie kept it casual too, sporting a pale yellow button-down, baggy jeans, and a blue striped shirt tied around her waist.

Both ladies opted for relaxed, simple vibes with their hair pulled back and kept it effortlessly cool with minimal jewelry. However, their wardrobe choices sparked quite a debate online.

One person chimed in with a snappy, "Those jorts are a no for me, dawg [sic]," while another harshly declared, "Worst style! Both of them." Someone else added, "Not digging the baggie pants and shorts look."

But not everyone was so quick to criticize—one commenter couldn't help but gush, "No way! So grown and looks like her Mom's twin ❤️," while others appreciated the duo's laid-back fashion sense, writing, "Cute, they dress alike!"

Suri's suitcase even got its own share of attention. One fan enthusiastically posted, "I LOVE the huge purple suitcase—looks so 'normal.'" Some keen-eyed followers speculated about Suri's emotions during the big move, with one noting, "She looks sad—probably already missing her mom."

Another fan took a more heartfelt approach, saying, "Her mom has kept her out of the public eye for years—she deserves privacy. I hope she makes tons of friends and they become her posse and protect her."

Tom's absence during his daughter's significant milestone wasn't lost on fans. One bold commenter remarked, "Who needs him!! She's better off without him," while others celebrated Suri's achievements and character, praising her as an "intelligent, independent young lady" who's sure to make her mark at college.

As Suri Cruise embraced her college adventure with all the support from her devoted mom, her dad was off in London filming yet another installment of "Mission: Impossible." The 62-year-old actor took to the skies of London, cruising through the clouds after pulling off yet another epic stunt—at the grand finale of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Suri, who's reportedly focusing on a career leaning towards fashion or acting, is gearing up to start classes on August 26, according to the school's website. With the stylish future ahead of her and her mom by her side, Suri seems ready to take on this new chapter.

A week ago, her mom shared her excitement about Suri moving out and joining 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 Cruise 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.

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, "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.