It seems like only yesterday that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes introduced their baby daughter, Suri, to the world on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. But Suri is now a 16-year-old with big dreams for her future, including a possible career in fashion. According to new reports, the teen is already beginning the process of applying to colleges — but don't expect her movie star dad to be weighing in on any decisions.
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Suri has already sent out some applications.
According to a source who spoke to the Daily Mail, Suri is "leaning toward" studying fashion, a career that Katie is reportedly very pleased with. The mother-daughter duo lives in New York City, and it's clear from paparazzi photos captured of Suri that she enjoys experimenting with her style and has a real flair for fashion. (The girl was tottering around in trendy heels at 3 years old, after all!)
Katie hopes Suri stays local.
"Suri is applying to schools all over the place. [Katie] really does want her to stay in New York so they can be close to each other," the insider explained. "Katie takes great pride in her but is also extremely overprotective."
But even though Suri's mom will take an active role in the college decision process, Tom won't have any say at all.
The 60-year-old actor has been estranged from his daughter for 10 years.
By all accounts, Tom has not seen Suri since 2013, one year after his divorce from Katie. At the time of their split, it was reported that Katie ended the high-profile marriage over concerns about raising her daughter as a Scientologist. Tom and Suri's relationship became increasingly distant as a result.
"Suri does not know her father anymore and she has not spent time with him in a decade," the source revealed. "She does not go to see his movies, and he has no part in her life."
But Tom will contribute financially.
Although he won't have any involvement in choosing where Suri enrolls for college, he will pay her tuition costs, according to the source. Tom and Katie's divorce settlement stipulates that Tom must pay Katie $400,000 a month in support until Suri turns 18, as well as cover all of Suri's expenses, including "medical, dental, insurance, education, college, and other extracurricular costs."
Despite the rift between him and his ex, "[Tom] has always maintained his responsibilities when it comes to financial obligations to Katie and Suri," the insider said.
For her part, Katie has no regrets about how things turned out.
Though it likely hasn't been easy for her to see her daughter snubbed by her own dad, Katie reportedly believes the situation has only made Suri stronger.
"Being raised by a single mom in New York has made Suri who she is. Katie has always put Suri first, and Suri loves her mom more than anything," a second source told the Daily Mail.
"She is a smart girl, and she is turning into a very intelligent mature woman. She has a very close group of loyal friends, and she knows exactly where she comes from."
