Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes Warp Speed Divorce: Lessons Learned from Mel Gibson

By July 11, 2012

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Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes Warp Speed Divorce: Lessons Learned from Mel Gibson
By: Jason Marks
Just ten days after Katie Holmes filed for divorce from mega-celebrity Tom Cruise, the parties have reached a settlement agreement.
While the parties have issued a joint statement proclaiming that they acted in the best interests of their 6 year-old daughter, Suri, more likely, the quick settlement was to preserve Cruise’s public image. Who can forget the fiasco that was Mel Gibson’s split from his girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva?
According to a recent profile by Forbes, Cruise made $75 million in the last year. Both Cruise and Holmes have strong incentives to ensure that Cruise remains a media darling in order to maximize his access to starring movie roles and maintain his profitability. Airing their dirty laundry in public could only serve to hurt Cruise’s career. When was the last time you went to a Mel Gibson movie? A swift and confidential settlement agreement will stave off any significant amount of press. There are only so many times the media can repeat the same joint statement before they will move on, allowing Cruise and Holmes to pursue their careers without a spotlight shining on their personal lives. Early settlement had less to do with Suri and more to do with preserving Cruises’ legacy at the box office.