LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rosie O'Donnell recently made headlines when she declared that she would never be friends with Ellen DeGeneres. However, amidst the controversy, there is one person in Rosie's life whom she considers her unwavering lifelong friend: the iconic actor Tom Cruise.
Despite their differing views on Scientology, Rosie speaks fondly of Tom's consistent support and friendship over the past 25 years. During a recent appearance on SiriusXM's 'The Jess Cagle Show', Rosie shared, "He is the only person who never misses my birthday. In knowing him for 25 years now, he has never missed my birthday or an event in my life."
'I will always love Tom Cruise!'
Rosie added, "Now, I don't know him enough to go, 'Hey, Tommy, it's Ro, the Scientology thing -- can we chat?' Like, that's not my relationship with Tom Cruise. I don't have his home phone number. I know people think in Hollywood [...] everybody knows each other, but I know him in the way that I did in that time 25 years ago. But every year, I think what a classy guy he is that he never has forgotten my birthday."
She continued, "A lot of people say to me it's just his secretary, but I don't believe that. I think he knows in early March, 'Oh, it's Rosie's birthday coming up,' and he sends me something. Every single year for 25 years. I love Tom Cruise and I will always love Tom Cruise." In December, Rosie took to Instagram to share a snapshot featuring a Christmas present she had received from Cruise. The exquisitely adorned gift was embellished in gold and featured a heartfelt message that read, "To: Rosie O'Donnell. Warmest wishes to you this Holiday Season --Tom Cruise." Rosie accompanied the photo with a caption expressing her joy, stating, "Christmas is here when tommy's gift shows up #holidayseason."
'We're not friends'
In September, Rosie finally provided insight into the rivalry between herself and Ellen. She shared with Andy Cohen, "We had a somewhat strange encounter when my show ended, and hers was about to start." Rosie recalled, "Larry King was on with Ellen, and he said, 'What happened to Rosie O'Donnell? Her show tanked! She came out as a lesbian and disappeared!'" She continued, "And Ellen replied, and I quote, 'I don't know Rosie. We're not friends.'"
At that time, Rosie was watching the interview with her ex-wife Kelli Carpenter. She remembered saying to Kelli, "Did I just hear that? Or was it a hallucination, an auditory illusion in my..." She concluded by stating, "And that's what happened. It hurt me deeply, like a vulnerable child, and I never really got over it." Rosie expressed that she is not prepared to reconcile with Ellen, despite their shared, extensive history. She explained, "I have a picture of her holding [my then-infant son] Parker. I know her mother. I could recognize her brother even without her presence. I had known her for so many years. However, I don't feel confident in allowing this person back into my life."
