Getty Images
Katie Holmes May Not Be a Scientologist Today, but She Still Has Ties to the Church
She was in a long-term relationship with one of the most famous Scientologists in the world, so it’s no surprise everyone is always wondering if Katie Holmes is a Scientologist today. The short answer is no. But, like everything in Hollywood, it’s a little more complicated than that.
MORE: Tom Cruise Has a New Girlfriend — Plus See the Actor’s Dating History!
When Katie and Tom Cruise wed in Italy in November of 2006, the actress — who was reportedly “hand-picked” to be Tom’s girlfriend by the church — had a connection to the Church of Scientology. In fact, at their lavish wedding, Tom’s best man was Scientology leader David Miscavige, and the famous couple took part in Scientology’s traditional “double ring” ceremony and sealed it with a kiss. Also, the guest list boasted loads of famous Scientologists, including then-Scientologists Leah Remini and Brooke Shields, as well as John Travolta and Kelly Preston.
Tom and Katie. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
A few years into the couple’s marriage — after they had their only daughter, Suri — Katie started having doubts about the controversial religion. Reportedly, she feared that, just as Nicole Kidman’s children refuse to talk to their mother, Suri would eventually do the same.
MORE: Katie Holmes Talks Dating After Tom Cruise Divorce — “I Don’t Quite Feel Like a Woman”
Things came to a head when members of the church’s staff known as the Sea Org moved in with the famous couple to essentially make sure that their most valuable celebrity was being taken care of and that his every whim was met. This, understandably, didn’t sit well with the Dawson’s Creek alum and it was then that her marriage to Tom began to crack. Sources say that the pair had “big differences” about the way life should be lived. Katie began to fear that if Suri grew up as a Scientologist, it would wind up ruining her relationship with her daughter.
Five years after the couple wed, Katie filed for divorce in July of 2012 (it was finalized a record-breaking 10 days later). It’s been reported that shortly after the actress broke the news to her then-husband, she was instructed to say that Scientology was not a factor in her decision. She also was reportedly asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement that prevented her from “embarrassing” the actor and his beliefs by talking about Scientology for five years.
MORE: Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx Step Out Wearing Matching Rings — Are They Engaged?!
Other clauses in the agreement included not having her publicly date anyone for five years (she supposedly started dating actor Jamie Foxx discreetly in 2013, and the couple just went semi-public this year). Katie also got $4.8 million in child support, as well as another $5 million for herself. Sources say that the mom-of-one wanted out of the marriage so badly — and wanted to protect her daughter — that she agreed to anything.
With it now being five years since her divorce, Katie — who’s stayed quiet about Scientology thus far — may now start dishing some dirt. But, of course, with so many good things in her life right now, she may just want to leave the past in the past. And after everything she’s been through, who can blame her?
