‘Proud’ Dad Tom Cruise Wants to See Kids Connor and Bella ‘Excel in Their Own Lanes’ Without Fame

Tom Cruise is super proud of his adopted kids Connor and Bella and is encouraging them to reach for the sky in 2025 – saying they both have the potential to follow in his footsteps and be superstars or just succeed quietly at whatever they choose to do – and offering to help in any way he can, a source exclusively tells In Touch. 

“Tom isn’t expecting them to go into Hollywood necessarily,” the source explains, “he just wants to see them excel in their own lanes.” 

The Mission: Impossible actor, 62, shares his two oldest kids with ex-wife Nicole Kidman, whom he was married to from 1990 to 2001. Tom has been supportive of Connor and Bella’s dreams behind the scenes throughout the years.

The source continues, adding, “Bella’s a super talented artist – she has a big celebrity following already and could easily make a splash in the art world.” Of course, with a dad who is as A-list as it gets, “Tom could open doors for her all over the world.” 

The artist, 32, who regularly posts photos of her work on Instagram, recently gave a rare glimpse at herself in front of a piece which had been displayed at the Imagine Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, looking the artsy part by sporting long dark hair, tattoos, bangs and big brows.

On the other hand, Connor, 29, is much more public with his daily life, often posting photos of himself and his friends on various adventures around Clearwater, Florida, where he lives. He had dabbled in acting a bit as a kid, landing parts in 2012’s Red Dawn and Seven Pounds in 2008. Though recently, “Connor’s started his own meat business,” the source tells. “It’s still small, but Tom would be happy to offer the money to scale it up – he fully believes in his son.” 

While there was some speculation his relationship with Connor and Bella children isn’t on a high note, the three of them were spotted out together for the first time since 2009 while having a great time attending a Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers game in December 2023. 

Neither of the adult kids have been photographed with their Aussie mom, Nicole, 57, in years. Both chose to live with their father in the U.S. after Nicole and Tom divorced in 2001, though, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re on bad terms. There had been rumors she’s been largely absent due to both of them practicing their father’s controversial religion, Scientology, which she had also reportedly practiced briefly while married to Tom in the 1990s, but was never deeply involved. Rather, the Others actress told Who Australia in 2018, “They’re adults … who have made choices to be Scientologists, and as a mother, it’s my job to love them.” The Academy Award-winner added she’s “very private” with her relationships with them and must “protect [those relationships] at all costs.”

Despite their mega-famous family, “both Bella and Connor are very laid back and don’t seem to have a ton of interest in chasing the spotlight,” the insider says, which makes sense, considering “they were pretty overwhelmed by their parents’ fame as kids.” 

Still, “Tom’s urging them to give it a shot. He’s very proud and can be a bit pushy, like lots of parents when they think they know best for their kids.”