IN AN ESSAY which explores the concepts of power, protection and the perception of both, Nicole Kidman has revealed that while she married Tom Cruise for love, she ultimately gained protection.

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In a piece published in The Cut, the actress acknowledges that there has always been a reticence on her part to discuss her marriage to Tom Cruise – which ended in divorce in 2001 – but she touches on it briefly to give an insight into her position in Hollywood in the early stages of her career.

Being married to Tom Cruise at 22 is something I’m always reluctant to talk about, because I’m married now to the man who is my great love [Keith Urban], and it almost feels disrespectful.

“That said, I got married very young, but it definitely wasn’t power for me — it was protection,” she continued.

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Reflecting on her union with the actor which saw them marry in 1990, she explains:

I married for love, but being married to an extremely powerful man kept me from being sexually harassed.

Nicole goes on to reveal that while she has been the victim of moments highlighted consistently by the #MeToo movement, she would prefer not to divulge them.

She does, however, explain that the demise of her marriage to Tom required her to step outside the cocoon her marriage had created.

I would work, but I was still very much cocooned. So when I came out of it at 32, 33, it’s almost like I had to grow up.

Gwyneth Paltrow recently revealed that she is indebted to her ex-boyfriend, Brad Pitt, for protecting her against unwanted advances Harvey Weinstein made upon her in the 90s.

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The actress, who is now 46, identified the power Brad had over Harvey, and was keen to express her gratitude in an interview with Marie Claire.

I am so grateful to Brad, because he leveraged his power and fame to protect me, when I was no one, and he scared Harvey.

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