Nicole Kidman could be a cold, petulant and moody woman who was distant from the children she adopted with Tom Cruise, according to a an unauthorised biography of the actor.
The Sunday Telegraph reveals Andrew Morton's book on the Scientologist superstar also says Kidman was still dating well-known Australian actor Marcus Graham when she started getting involved with Cruise.
But it is Morton's claims regarding Kidman's attitudes to family that will resonate most.
"Even though the couple had two nannies on-call 24 hours a day, Tom was very much a hands-on dad," he writes.
"When Nicole was away filming or, increasingly, flying to Sydney to spend time with her parents and sister, it could be days before she would phone to see how Isabella and Connor were coping.
"Those who saw the family close up concluded that Tom was much more comfortable and enthusiastic as a parent … the actor was in constant — and controlling — touch with the youngsters and their nannies no matter how busy he was."
Morton says that, by comparison, Kidman often behaved like a "spoilt diva".
"If the jet wasn't stocked with Beluga caviar and all the trimmings she appeared deeply irritated, exhibiting a jaded petulance," he wrote.
"Nicole often seem bored or disenchanted with her life as a Hollywood star, expecting a luxurious lifestyle as her birthright … she had no sense of wonderment about the world.
"So many wonderful things happened to her but she had an enduring sense of boredom … she never delighted in anything."
Morton also claims the Cruise-Kidman marriage soured as Nicole emerged from her husband's shadow and fell out of love with him, despite Tom's efforts to woo her back.
"His constant love notes became irritating, the endless gifts of flowers a bore.
"She was an unhappy wife, constantly dealing with the fact that she did not love him any more. The more he tried to woo her with gifts, the more she pulled away."
