Scientology minder prompts Katie Holmes through first big interview

Katie Holmes, whose whirlwind engagement to Tom Cruise has produced one of Hollywood’s more improbable unions, has taken on a new role - that of a lovestruck automaton.

In her first big interview since her betrothal to Cruise, who turned 43 last week, the actress, 26, responded to every question with gushing platitudes as her Scientologist “minder” looked on approvingly.

“I’ve found the man of my dreams,” Holmes told a bemused interviewer from W magazine in America.

“From the moment I met him it just felt like I’d known him forever. I was blown away. He’s the most incredible man. He’s so generous and kind, and he helps so many people, and, um, he makes me laugh like I’ve never laughed.”

Holmes was chaperoned throughout, as she has been almost constantly since she met Cruise six weeks before he proposed to her at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Jessica Rodriguez, 29, a senior member of L Ron Hubbard’s Church of Scientology, denied that she was “working” with Holmes. “Oh no, we’re just best friends. . . Well, Katie has a lot of friends.” And how long have you been friends? “Oh, a while,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t know.”

Cruise has been a vocal supporter of the Church of Scientology since his conversion to the religion after his 1987 marriage to Mimi Rogers. During the interview, Ms Rodriguez helpfully supplemented Holmes’s declarations of love for the diminutive actor (”You adore him”, she prompted on one occasion).

Ms Rodriguez also intervened when the interviewer asked whether, as has been speculated, the “TomKat” relationship had been dreamed up by publicity agents. “The truth is, we don’t read that stuff because it’s just rude,” she said.

Holmes’s blanket adoration never wavered. Is there anything you guys don’t have in common? “You know, we appreciate each other.”

Has it been a challenge to make his kids feel comfortable? “They’re just exceptional people.” Do you ever wonder whether this is just a honeymoon phase? “Tom and I will always be in our honeymoon phase.” Do you worry that this might be a rebound romance for either of you? “I’ve never met anyone like Tom.”

Her vapid effusiveness matched that of Cruise, who in a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, the chatshow queen, capered on the sofa and declared: ”I can’t be cool. I can’t be laid back. It’s something that has happened and I want to celebrate it. She’s a very special woman.”

Cruise, who was formerly married to Nicole Kidman, is at present starring in the blockbuster War of the Worlds. Holmes’s Batman Begins film was premiered last month.

Holmes, who like Cruise was brought up a Roman Catholic, told W she was learning about Scientology but said that she was not yet a member. Three days after the interview, it was announced that she had converted.

It was “ludicrous” to suggest Cruise had pressurised her into the religion, she said. “He doesn’t put pressure on people. He is the kindest, smartest, most adoring man.”

The interview ended when a giant silver box arrived with a present from Cruise - a Chanel diamond necklace. Holmes screamed in delight. “He’s my man! He’s my man!”

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