Cruise, Holmes Reach Settlement in Divorce Case

(AP) Cruise, Holmes reach settlement in divorce case
BY JAKE COYLE
AP Entertainment Writer
NEW YORK
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes reached a settlement in their divorce case, putting an official end to the much-scrutinized romance less than two weeks after Holmes unexpectedly filed for divorce.

An assistant in Wolfe’s office who would not give her name would not elaborate on the agreement.

Cruise, 50, and Holmes, 33, had a romance that ended as it began _ as tabloid fodder. Earlier Monday, they asked for privacy for their family with 6-year-old daughter Suri.

In the celebrity news media, Holmes has been portrayed with overwhelmingly more sympathy. Whether true or not, the narrative that’s emerged is of a locked-away Holmes breaking free from the servitude of a strange, corrupting marriage.

Us Weekly has reported that the couple “fought viciously” over Scientology parenting. The Daily News has trumpeted Holmes entering “a new phase.” A TMZ headline blared “Tom treated me like a robot.”

That may also be the most convenient view of a relationship that even at its start spawned “Free Katie!” T-shirts.

Cruise’s camp vigorously denied such a reading. Cruise’s lawyer Bert Fields has said they were letting “the other side play the media until they wear everyone out.” The Church of Scientology, too, didn’t want to be portrayed as the schism between the couple.

The quick settlement and joint statement may put out some of that fire. The resolution was notably quick, particularly in Hollywood terms. By way of comparison, Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries are still negotiating a divorce for a marriage that lasted less than three months.

In the week and a half since filing for divorce, Holmes also captured the spotlight with a handful of public appearances. She stopped by to tape a guest judge appearance on Lifetime’s “Project Runway,” was snapped taking Suri for ice cream, and was seen taking a trip to the Children’s Museum of the Arts.

The appearances have only fed the view that Holmes is now living easier and freer _ and conversely, that she’s orchestrating a public relations campaign.

On the other hand, Holmes may have simply been trying to regain a measure of privacy, said celebrity publicist Howard Bragman, vice chairman of reputation.com.

In Touch Weekly and its sister magazine, Life & Style Weekly, are among the many outlets to focus on the Holmes-as-escapee angle. Their covers on the divorce read “The Fight for Suri” and “Katie Breaks Free,” respectively.

Cruise has two children with his previous wife, Nicole Kidman. The actor was also previously married to Mimi Rogers. This was Holmes’ first marriage.

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