The conclusion of Hollywood’s most high-profile pregnancy had all the usual trappings of celebrity births – an uncommon name, a concise statement of parental bliss and no photographs.
But what everyone really wanted yesterday were details of all the unusual aspects of the birth of a daughter to Scientology followers Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise.
For example, was Miss Holmes, Cruise’s 27-year-old fiance’, allowed to scream as she gave birth, possibly in breach of the Scientology custom of “silent birth“? And did Cruise, 43, go through with his intention, revealed to the US edition of GQ magazine, to eat the baby’s placenta?
– Justice Anderson, Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia, quoted atWhat judges have to say about Scientology
Initial reports suggested the answer to both questions was no and that the birth failed to deliver any controversy to match that generated by the actor’s outspoken comments during the couple’s year-long relationship.
They “joyously welcomed the arrival” of a baby girl called Suri, according to Arnold Robinson, Cruise’s spokesman.
She weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces, and both baby and mother were “doing wonderfully”, he said.
The press release had no word on the time, length, location or type of labour, only definitions of Suri, which means “princess” in Hebrew and “red rose” in Persian. Unsurprisingly the release made no mention of its Japanese meaning – “pickpocket”.
Cruise said last week that the couple had chosen the baby’s name from a name book. (Bookmakers William Hill confirmed yesterday that no punters had correctly guessed the name).
According to US magazine People: “The birth went so smoothly that Holmes left the hospital within 24 hours. Holmes, Cruise and baby Suri are back home now and doing well.”
A source “close to Holmes’s family” told the magazine that Suri “has lots and lots of dark hair and big, blue eyes. She’s going to be a beautiful baby”.
The news that the birth would take place as a silent procedure under the tenets of the Church of Scientology caused an outcry, conjuring images of a gagged mother.
But Cruise explained the silence rule only applied to those around the woman.
Cruise also told television interviewer Diane Sawyer that there was no question of his fiance’ suffering unnecessary pain. If she needed an epidural “she’s going to get her epidural”, he said.
As for the placenta promise, this was later revealed to be a sick joke.
The couple plan to marry in the summer.