Family woes are clearly taking their toll on a usually happy and healthy Nicole Kidman. Fans have reached out in support of the Aussie star, who appeared distressed and incredibly frail when she was snapped in New York last week.
Now Woman’s Day can reveal the truth behind her heartbreak. The 51-year-old is set to lose her son Connor for good, as the 24-year-old prepares to marry a “Scientology Princess”, hand-picked for him by the church – and mum Nicole will be banned from the wedding.
Woman’s Day has learned Connor is in a long-term, serious relationship with Silvia Zanchi and is said to be engaged to the stunning fellow parishioner.
A second-generation Scientologist from Italy, Silvia moved to Clearwater, Florida and fell in love with Tom Cruise and Nicole’s adopted son.
Connor confirmed the relationship last week, simply posting a picture of his partner with a heart-eyes emoji on his Instagram story.
Connor has been dating the stunning Italian for almost a year. (Image: Instagram @theconnorcruise)
Sources in the town of Clearwater tell us they’ve been together almost a year, and are often seen in the grounds of Connor’s swanky apartment within the church’s Sandcastle waterfront hotel.
One local shopkeeper whose business is a short walk from Connor’s apartment says he’s seen the “loved-up” couple several times, and insists she was recently wearing an engagement ring.
If the sighting is correct, they appear to be keeping the engagement secret, with Silvia appearing without a ring on her social media.
We’re told by multiple sources – who all insisted on remaining anonymous as they live in a town almost completely overrun by the religion known for its intimidating tactics against non-believers – that Connor wooed Silvia with restaurant dates and several romantic trips out on his impressive fishing boat into the Gulf of Mexico.
Connor reportedly took Silvia on several romantic trips out on his impressive fishing boat. (Image: Instagram @theconnorcruise)
Tom retained custody of Connor and his sister Isabella, 26, when he and Nicole split in 2001. Both children have followed in their father’s footsteps as devout Scientologists.
Tom is said to “adore” his future daughter-in-law, and spent the day at Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom in nearby Orlando on December 29 with Connor and his bride-to-be.
The news comes amid widespread reports that he and Scientology leader David Miscavige see Connor as a future poster boy of their religion. Insiders say that with someone as committed and pretty as Silvia by his side, they’ll make “the perfect candidates to lead them into the future”.
WATCH: Nicole Kidman on Bella and Connor Cruise: “Kids need to find own path.” Post continues…
Rarely seen together
As Tom and David are already apparently planning the couple’s dream wedding with no expense spared, it’s not known whether Nicole is even aware her boy has found his future wife.
Despite her insistence that she’s in regular contact with her adoptive children, Nicole’s rarely been seen with Connor since she left Tom, as a result of being labelled a “Suppressive Person” by the church.
This fresh heartache comes after the Oscar winner didn’t attend Isabella’s wedding to Max Parker in London in 2015, which was paid for by Tom.
WATCH: Nicole Kidman says she wants to make Bella Cruise proud during her Oscars speech. Post continues…
Motherly love
When Nicole was asked last year about her thoughts on Connor and Bella’s religion, she diplomatically responded, “They are adults. They are able to make their own decisions. They have made choices to be Scientologists and as a mother, it’s my job to love them.”
Despite once admitting that Connor and Bella “don’t even call me Mum, they call me Nicole, which I hate”, she recently said, “I know 150 per cent that I would give up my life for my children because it’s what my purpose is.”
“I know 150 per cent that I would give up my life for my children because it’s what my purpose is.” (Image: Getty Images)
Sources close to the actress, a devout Catholic and mum to two daughters with her second husband, country singer Keith Urban, 51, say she privately loathes Scientology and blames it for ruining her marriage and taking her eldest children away from her.
When he’s not being treated like Scientology’s prince within the walls of Sandcastle Hotel, Connor tries to go undercover in his day-to-day life in Florida, where he works as a deckhand for 2Shea Fishing Charters, ferrying tourists around the bay.
But even though a close friend tells us Connor doesn’t usually tell people his last name, he’s incredibly close with his father.
Connor and his father Tom Cruise are incredibly close. (Image: Getty Images)
“Tom must be thrilled about how this is panning out between Connor and Silvia. He always wondered whether Connor was too laidback for being a celebrity Scientologist, but falling for someone so dedicated proves he’s the real deal,” says a source.
“He’s also bound to be secretly pleased that he’s had this latest victory over Nicole. Their split was ugly and he’s done everything in his power to make sure their kids stayed with him.”
