Nicole Kidman Says She Was Ready to ‘Throw Career Away’ for Love After Marrying Tom Cruise at 23

Published 08/13/2026, 12:42 PM CDT

Entertainment Themen der Woche KW35 Foto IPP Daniele Cifala™ Venezia 30 08 2024 Babygirl Red Carpet - The 81st Venice International Film Festival nella foto : Nicole Kidman Italy Photo Press - World Copyright *** IPP Photo Daniele Cifala™ Venice 30 08 2024 Babygirl Red Carpet The 81st Venice International Film Festival in the photo Nicole Kidman Italy Photo Press World Copyright

Nicole Kidman is revisiting one of the most talked-about chapters of her life. In a candid new interview, the Oscar-winning actress revealed just how deeply she was in love with Tom Cruise when they married in 1990. Looking back, Kidman admitted she paid little attention to warnings that being married to one of Hollywood's biggest stars could affect her own career.

Her comments offer a rare glimpse into the mindset behind a romance that once captivated Hollywood and dominated headlines worldwide.

Nicole Kidman reflects on marrying Tom Cruise at 23

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Speaking to British Vogue, Nicole Kidman reflected on marrying Tom Cruise in 1990 and revealed that she was prepared to put love ahead of her career. The actress recalled being warned that becoming the wife of one of Hollywood's biggest stars could affect her professional future, but said those concerns meant little to her at the time because she was "madly in love" and focused on building a life with Cruise. Reflecting on that mindset, Kidman said she was willing to risk everything for love.

"Of course I'll throw my career away. I don't care."

via Imago

Reflecting on that period on Vogue, Kidman said: "Suddenly I was 22, 23 years old and I had this huge movie star husband. But it just seemed completely natural. We just fell madly in love, and it was that simple."

The romance famously began when the two met while filming Days of Thunder in 1990, a project that transformed their on-screen chemistry into one of Hollywood's most talked-about relationships.

She also revealed that people around her frequently warned that marriage could derail her professional ambitions. However, the actress said she was unconcerned by those predictions, explaining that being with the person she loved mattered more than any career calculation. Kidman added: "I don't care. I'm in love. I want to be married."

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Despite the criticism, Kidman insisted love mattered more than career expectations or Hollywood's judgment.

How Nicole Kidman looked back on the criticism

One of the most striking parts of Nicole Kidman's interview was her response to the skepticism surrounding her marriage. She recalled how some people later pointed to her identity as Tom Cruise's wife as proof that the warnings about her career had been justified. Kidman, however, rejected that way of thinking, explaining that she was driven by love rather than professional calculations at the time.

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Entertainment Themen der Woche KW51 Entertainment Bilder des Tages NICOLE KIDMAN EXPATS RED CARPET, Nicole Kidman poses for photographs as she arrives on the red carpet for a screening of the Prime Video series Expats at Palace Verona Cinema in Sydney, Wednesday, December 20, 2023. ( NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT CONSENT SYDNEY NEW SOUTH WALES AUSTRALIA Copyright: xBIANCAxDExMARCHIx 20231220001880380739

Her reflections offer insight into the pressures placed on young actresses in Hollywood, where personal relationships are often viewed through the lens of career impact. More than three decades later, Kidman's comments reveal how she navigated those expectations while remaining committed to the choices she made in her personal life.

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Do you think Nicole Kidman's willingness to prioritize love over career expectations helped shape the path she ultimately took in Hollywood? Let us know in the comments.

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Yamini Vohra

47 articles

Yamini Vohra is an Entertainment Writer at Netflix Junkie. She is an English Honours graduate and Japanese language specialist with a love for drama, fashion, anime, music, and all things pop culture. When she's not working, you'll find her buried in a book, binge-watching vlogs, or being dramatically invested in the latest Netflix obsession.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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