The buzz grew when de Armas brought Cruise along to local spots in Vermont and insiders told PEOPLE she “really enjoys spending time with him.” The chemistry was undeniable. But as it turns out, that chemistry wasn’t romantic, it was the kind born of collaboration and mutual admiration.

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What’s Really Going On

A source close to Ana says the truth is simple: “Tom is a dear friend and mentor. She very much enjoys spending time with him.” The insider made it clear, Ana is single and has been for a while. She and Tom are in touch often, especially since they’ve got an upcoming movie project together that she’s “really looking forward to.”

So, while the internet was busy labeling them Hollywood’s new power couple, the two were quietly building something far more enduring, a creative friendship.

A Mutual Admiration Society

Their bond makes perfect sense when you see how much they admire each other’s craft. Cruise has publicly praised Ana’s acting chops more than once, calling her “a very, very talented actress with incredible range, dramatic, comedic, she learns quickly.”

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Ana, for her part, has talked about how inspiring it’s been working with Tom. “Obviously, everyone knows I’m working with Tom Cruise,” she told Women’s Wear Daily earlier this year. “It’s another level—crazy training, pushing limits, but so much fun.”

Tom, with decades of blockbuster experience, has stepped into a mentor role for younger action stars before, but this time, it’s different. There’s genuine warmth between him and Ana, a professional bond that’s evolved naturally as they prepare to collaborate on their next film. As one insider summed it up, “They’ve become incredibly close. Tom continues to be a huge support for her, both personally and professionally.”

Setting the Record Straight

Sure, they were seen holding hands. Yes, they’ve spent plenty of off-set time together. But, Ana de Armas and Tom Cruise are showing that friendship between major stars can be every bit as magnetic as a love story.

Both have busy schedules ahead—Ana with “Ballerina,” the “John Wick” spinoff, and Tom reportedly gearing up for another high-octane project. The pair will reunite soon for their joint film with Doug Liman and Christopher McQuarrie, a collaboration fans are already hyped about.

According to sources close to the former couple, “Tom and Ana had a good time together but their time as a couple has run its course. They are going to remain good friends but they aren’t dating anymore. They just realized they weren’t going to go the distance and that they are better off as mates.”

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The insider detailed the reason for the split to The Sun. Despite the split, Cruise, 63, and de Armas, 37, are expected to continue working together. The actress has already been cast in Cruise’s next film, a supernatural thriller titled ‘Deeper.’ While production has reportedly been delayed, the project remains on both their schedules.

The relationship began in February and quickly caught attention as the two were seen enjoying private dinners, glamorous events, and romantic getaways. They didn’t shy away from being photographed together, most notably in late July when they were seen holding hands during a Vermont weekend retreat, which effectively confirmed the romance.

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Before that, Cruise had taken Ana away on his private jet for a trip to Madrid in April. In May, the pair were spotted at David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in Notting Hill, leaving the party together and fueling further speculation. That same summer, they were seen dancing at an Oasis concert at Wembley Stadium and vacationing on a yacht off the coast of Spain.

“He has been showering Ana with gifts ever since they met, it’s his thing, he is thoughtful,” a source told the Daily Mail in July. “The more they got to know each other, the bigger the gifts became. There has been jewelry like gold bracelets and designer clothing… probably the biggest gift he has given her is being able to go anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice.”

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Their relationship, while intensely private, appeared affectionate and fun. In May, de Armas appeared on Good Morning America and spoke about her “fun” working relationship with Cruise, hinting at multiple projects in the pipeline.

However, despite the romantic spark they once shared, the duo has reportedly handled their breakup in a mature and amicable way. “The spark had gone between them but they still love each other’s company and they’ve both been really adult about it,” the source said.

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The news of the split comes after Ana was seen out and about with other Hollywood faces. She was recently spotted leaving a Santa Monica gym with Cruise’s ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ co-star Miles Teller, though they left in separate cars.

Earlier this month, Ana also posed for photos with a mystery man during Paris Fashion Week and was seen partying with rapper Bad Bunny during a Puerto Rico visit in September.

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Cruise and de Armas met earlier this year for work-related discussions, which reportedly led to their brief romance. One insider described their early connection as “low-key” and added that “he’s been courting her.”

Though the romance is over, their professional ties remain intact. They are not only attached to ‘Deeper,’ but were also preparing for a second project with the working title ‘Pressure.’

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Ana de Armas, known for her breakout roles in ‘Knives Out,’ ‘Blade Runner 2049,’ and as Marilyn Monroe in ‘Blonde,’ has had her share of high-profile relationships. She was previously married to Spanish actor Marc Clotet from 2011 to 2013 and famously dated Ben Affleck in 2020. Last year, she was linked to Manuel Anido Cuesta, the stepson of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel.

Cruise’s romantic history is just as well known. He was married to Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, and Katie Holmes, with whom he shares daughter Suri.