Dakota Fanning Reveals Tom Cruise's Unique Birthday Tradition
Dakota Fanning shared on the "Today" show that Tom Cruise has been sending her shoes for her birthday every year for the past 20 years. Their friendship began when she played his daughter in the 2005 film War of the Worlds, directed by Steven Spielberg.
The Beginning of a Lasting Tradition
Fanning explained,
“He sends me beautiful shoes, it’s a tradition that started, I think, on my 12th birthday. I loved shoes, and I just had started fitting into adult-sized shoes, and so I was really excited about it. And so for that birthday he gave me shoes, and he’s kept the tradition going for 20 years.”
The Shoes and Their Style
When asked about the type of shoes Cruise sends, Fanning responded,
“He’s got good taste.”
The host, Craig Melvin, noted, “He’s Tom Cruise, he can’t send you a pair of Keds.”
Wearing and Preserving the Gifts
Fanning confirmed she wears the shoes but also saves them as cherished mementos:
“I do [wear the shoes]. But I save them all, I’ll keep them forever. It’s such a great memory, it’s a way that he checks in with me.”
This longstanding gift tradition highlights the enduring friendship between the two actors and Tom Cruise’s thoughtful nature.
Author's summary: Tom Cruise has thoughtfully sent Dakota Fanning shoes every birthday for 20 years, beginning when she was 12, creating a lasting and heartfelt tradition.