Is Tom Cruise gay? Here's why his fans keep speculating
Is Tom Cruise gay? No, Tom is not gay. Despite that, rumours about his sexuality have never quite gone away. Fans and tabloids continue to speculate, often pointing to his private personal life and multiple accusations. Where did all this come from?
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Tom Cruise has consistently denied rumours about him being gay.
- His involvement with the Church of Scientology and his private personal life have contributed to ongoing speculation.
- Several celebrities’ comments and media portrayals have further fuelled the rumours despite a lack of credible evidence.
- Cruise has had multiple well-known relationships and marriages with women.
Tom Cruise's profile summary
| Full name | Thomas Cruise Mapother IV |
| Age | 62 (as of May 2025) |
| Date of birth | July 3, 1962 |
| Place of birth | Syracuse, New York, U.S. |
| Parents | Thomas Cruise Mapother III, Mary Lee |
| Siblings | 3 |
| High school attended | Glen Ridge High School |
| Sexual orientation | Staright |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Spouses | Katie Holmes, Nicole Kidman, Mimi Rogers |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Actor, film producer |
| Years active | 1980-present |
Is Tom Cruise gay?
No, Tom Cruise has firmly denied being gay through legal action. For instance, back in 2001, a French magazine called Actustar published claims by adult film actor Chad Slater, who was said to have had an affair with Cruise.
Slater even suggested that the alleged affair led to Cruise’s divorce from actress Nicole Kidman after ten years of marriage. Cruise responded by filing a $100 million defamation lawsuit against Slater.
The court later ruled in Cruise’s favour in 2003. He was awarded $10 million in damages, money he mentioned that he would donate to charity.
After the judgment, his lawyer stated,
While Cruise thoroughly respects others’ rights to follow their own sexual preference, he is not a homosexual.
This was not the first time Cruise had to turn to legal means to stop false claims. He had previously filed another $100 million lawsuit against Michael Davis, the publisher of Bold Magazine, in 1999. Davis had claimed he had a videotape showing Cruise involved in a sexual act with another man.
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Cruise later dropped the lawsuit after Davis retracted the story. He also signed a legal statement confirming that Tom Cruise “is not, and never has been, homosexual and has never had a homosexual affair.”
Why do people think Tom Cruise is gay?
In addition to the two major accusations and subsequent lawsuits, Tom Cruise’s gay rumours have been driven by a combination of other factors. This includes Cruise’s tightly controlled public image, his lifestyle, and remarks from other prominent celebrities over the years. Below are the main reasons.
Cruise’s association with the Church of Scientology
Ever since he joined the church, Tom Cruise has been one of its most famous members and has been deeply involved for decades. However, this institution has faced multiple criticisms over the years for its views on LGBTQ+ issues.
Some tabloids and gossip sites claim that the organisation either covers up or tries to “cure” homosexuality among its high-profile followers. Although there’s no public evidence to support these claims, the secrecy surrounding both the Church and Cruise’s personal life has kept the speculation alive.
Comments from other celebrities
Other celebrities have also played a role in keeping the rumours alive. For instance, in July 2024, famous actress Kate Winslet spoke out about the pressure some actors face to stay closeted. She revealed that she knows several high-profile actors who hide their sexuality to protect their careers.
Kate said that some very famous actors still feel the need to keep parts of themselves secret just to land roles in films. She mentioned that she could think of at least four very famous actors who live in fear of being discovered. While she didn’t name anyone, many people online claimed that Tom was among the actors she was talking about.
Media portrayal and cultural stereotypes
Speculation about a celebrity’s sexuality has always been treated as juicy gossip. For many, it’s hard to ignore, and the media knows it. Over the years, news outlets have used this to their advantage by fuelling rumours about Tom Cruise’s sexuality. They often use sensational headlines and clickbait stories to keep the topic alive, even without any real evidence.
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Comedy programmes have also added to the narrative. Family Guy, for example, has often portrayed Cruise in a satirical and exaggerated way. The show regularly uses blunt humour to suggest he is gay, turning it into a running joke.
Tom Cruise's dating history
Despite the ongoing rumours, Tom Cruise has had several well-known relationships with women over the years. From high-profile marriages to rumoured flings, his love life has often made headlines. Below is a timeline of his relationships and marriages.
| Name | Relationship type | Duration |
| Melissa Gilbert | Rumoured | Early 1980s |
| Rebecca De Mornay | Confirmed relationship | 1983 – 1985 |
| Cher | Rumoured | Mid-1980s |
| Heather Locklear | Rumoured | Mid-1980s |
| Mimi Rogers | Marriage | 1987 – 1990 |
| Nicole Kidman | Marriage | 1990 – 2001 |
| Penélope Cruz | Confirmed relationship | 2001 – 2004 |
| Nazanin Boniadi | Confirmed relationship | 2004 – 2005 |
| Katie Holmes | Marriage | 2006 – 2012 |
FAQs about Tom Cruise
- Is Tom Cruise bisexual? No, Tom Cruise has never publicly stated that he is bisexual.
- Has Tom Cruise ever confirmed he is gay? No, Tom Cruise has never confirmed he is gay.
- Why do people think Tom Cruise is gay? People think Tom Cruise is gay due to his private personal life, his involvement with the Church of Scientology, comments from other celebrities, and media speculation.
- What is Tom Cruise's connection to Scientology? Tom Cruise is one of the Church of Scientology’s most famous members and has been actively involved for decades.
- How many times has Tom Cruise been married? Tom Cruise has been married three times: to Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, and Katie Holmes.
- What is Tom Cruise’s real name? Tom Cruise’s real name is Thomas Cruise Mapother IV.
- What are some of Tom Cruise's most famous relationships? Tom Cruise has had relationships with Rebecca De Mornay, Penélope Cruz, and Nazanin Boniadi, besides his marriages.
- What is Tom Cruise known for? Tom Cruise is known for being a leading Hollywood actor, famous for blockbuster films such as Top Gun and the Mission: Impossible series.
Final word
Is Tom Cruise gay? Cruise has consistently denied these claims, taking legal action against false accusations and maintaining a public record of relationships with women. While the gossip continues to circulate, there remains no credible evidence to support the rumours about his sexuality.
Tuko.co.ke also published an article about Jeff Goldblum’s personal life, exploring the rumours surrounding his sexuality and revealing the truth about his relationships. Discover the details of his marriages, his current wife, Emilie Livingston, and their family life together.
Read on to uncover everything you need to know about the Hollywood star’s romantic history and to gain insight into his private world.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
