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Monica Barbaro just received her first Oscar nomination for her work in the Bob Dylan biopic A complete stranger. But this isn't the first time the actress has made headlines in recent months.
As we previously reported, Monica appears to be in some sort of relationship with Tom Cruise. But the exact nature of their connection remains unclear.
It feels a bit like we're on a roller coaster when we talk about the women in Tom's life – even if we don't take into account the ex-wife who constantly overshadows him and the girl who curses his name.
As of now, Tom has been linked to three different women in the last year alone, with the latest girlfriend having the benefit of seeing Tom's more gentlemanly side.
So who is he dating now? Is it Monica? Or do the Top Gun: Maverick are the co-stars just friends?
To answer these questions, we'll have to dig deeper into Tom's love life:
Tom Cruise's New Girlfriend: Is He Dating Victoria Canal?
In the summer of 2024, all eyes were on Tom and the stunning Spanish-American singer/songwriter Victoria Canal.
At just 25 years old, Victoria is already incredibly accomplished, playing piano and singing with international artists like Coldplay, Hozier and Leslie Odom Jr. Her accomplishments are even more impressive when you consider that she was born without her forearm right due to amniotic band syndrome. , a congenital disease, of unknown cause.
But back to Tom: the two men met at the Glastonbury festival towards the end of June. Since then, they have been seen together several times. First, there were photos of Tom treating Victoria a helicopter ride at Battersea Power Station heliport in London.
Shortly after, Tom treated his new “girlfriend” to an evening that no one could forget. The couple attended a Bruce Springsteen concert together and afterwards, they went backstage to meet the boss himself.
Then, Tom shocked his loved ones by inviting Victoria to the set of “Mission: Impossible 8” in Oxfordshire. It's something he rarely does, according to crew members, who called the decision “bizarre.”
“Tom invited Victoria over to watch him film all day and it’s just not something he does for his random friends,” a source said. said to the Sun.
“It might have seemed unlikely that they would become anything more than friends, but they are practically inseparable,” the source added, referring to the 35-year age gap between the two men.
Victoria denies rumors
But as fans prepared to brand Victoria as the new Mrs. Cruise, the singer took to Instagram to deny the reports.
“Guys, this is literally crazy but apparently the tabloids think I'm dating Tom Cruise,” she wrote.
“I died. let's stop this – I'm sorry to bother you but I'm not dating this man, although he is a lovely person and artist.
So we assume that's it. So who else could Tom date?
Tom wanted to “explore” the relationship with Monica Barbaro
Victoria may just be a friend, but there are credible reports that Tom may currently have his eye on someone else.
For much of 2024, it seemed like Tom Cruise was eager to move on with Monica.
“Tom thinks she’s incredibly beautiful,” a source said In touchadding: “He would like to explore a relationship with her.”
In addition to starring with Barbaro in Top Gun, Cruise apparently used his star power to further his career.
Cruise reportedly pulled strings to get Barbaro to play Joan Baez in A complete stranger. The film was directed by his longtime friend James Mangold.
“Tom has mentored young actors before – both men and women. It’s a very rewarding process for him,” the insider said.
Of course, it seems Tom is looking for something more than the satisfaction that comes from helping a young artist reach new heights.
“People around Tom think they’re a good match. But he sincerely wants her to succeed,” the source adds.
The insider says Monica is “flattered by the attention.”
His last relationship before this. Collapsed quickly
However, it seems that Monica wants to focus on her career for the moment. “She wants to prove that she deserves this role,” says the source.
If Tom is looking for love again, it's only a short turnaround from his last relationship.
For a few months at the 2024 summit, Tom was getting serious with Russian socialite Elsina Khayrova. According to some reports, he even met her children.
However, despite rumors, the two have never been seen publicly together. Plus, with an age gap of almost 30 years, it became clear that romance didn't have much to offer.
“They didn't get along well and realized they weren't romantically compatible,” a source revealed to American Weekly.
Mark this as another relationship for Tom that just couldn't work. And speaking of which…
Tom's relationship with Suri Cruise: What's going on there?
Maybe Tom has bigger problems. He's facing bad press thanks to reports that he still wants nothing to do with Suri, his daughter with Katie Holmes.
Suri recently went to college. But while Tom has made time for his other children, he hasn't extended the same courtesy to his only biological child following his recent accomplishments.
In fact, he skipped his high school graduation to attend a Taylor Swift concert. Quite a burn.
So it should come as no surprise that Suri has officially dropped “Cruise” from her name now that she's 18.
This is one girl who can't be impressed with her star power!