Dakota Fanning Shares Special Birthday Gift Tradition from Tom Cruise
Dakota Fanning revealed a unique tradition involving Tom Cruise, whom she worked with on the 2005 alien invasion film War of the Worlds. In the movie, Fanning played Cruise’s daughter.
The Origin of the Tradition
The tradition began on Fanning’s 12th birthday when Cruise, aware of her love for shoes and her excitement about fitting into adult-sized footwear, gifted her a pair of new shoes.
“He sends me beautiful shoes, it’s a tradition that started, I think, on my 12th birthday.”
— Dakota Fanning
Since then, Cruise has continued this practice annually for over twenty years, sending her a pair of shoes every birthday.
Interview Highlights
During an appearance on the Today show, Fanning shared:
“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.”
When host Craig Melvin asked if the shoes were luxury brands like Louis Vuitton or Prada, Fanning simply responded: “nice.”
Context
- Fanning is known for her roles in films like Uptown Girls.
- Tom Cruise starred in Mission: Impossible and Top Gun: Maverick.
- The birthday gift tradition reflects their ongoing connection since filming War of the Worlds.
Author's Summary
Tom Cruise has maintained a two-decade tradition of gifting Dakota Fanning a special pair of shoes each birthday, celebrating her milestone of fitting adult shoe sizes.