Dakota Fanning Shares Tom Cruise's Unique Birthday Tradition
Dakota Fanning revealed on the "Today" show that Tom Cruise has been sending her birthday shoes annually for 20 years. Their friendship began while working together on the 2005 film "War of the Worlds," where Fanning played Cruise's daughter.
A Tradition Started at Age 12
Fanning explained how the tradition began: “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 Shoe Selection
“He’s got good taste,” Fanning said when asked about the brands of shoes Cruise sends.
Craig Melvin joked about the luxury of the gifts, mentioning brands like Louis Vuitton and Prada, noting, “He’s Tom Cruise, he can’t send you a pair of Keds.”
Wearing and Preserving the Gifts
Fanning confirmed she does wear the shoes but also treasures them as keepsakes: “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.”
Summary: For two decades, Tom Cruise has kept a heartfelt tradition of sending Dakota Fanning shoes every birthday, blending friendship with thoughtful gift-giving.