Britney Spears vs. Tom Cruise – Who’s the Bigger Tragedy?

Posted on Feb 8 2008 - 9:59am by Angela | 9 comments

Britney Spears and Tom Cruise, two of Hollywood's most promising stars in the late 90's and early 2000's, have quickly spiraled out of control, leaving friends, family and fans concerned for their welfare.

While Tom and Britney continue to fight very different battles (Tom Cruise is letting Scientology control his life while Britney is fighting a severe mental illness), it's very clear that these two stars had the world at their fingertips, only to let it slip away.

So who is the bigger disappointment? A 26-year-old struggling to fight the pressures of Hollywood or a 45-year-old father who is not only letting Scientology control his life but has warped his once-adorable wife into a robot-like woman who has little control over her own actions as well?

Let's take a look at Tom and Britney in their prime:

Tom Cruise

Everyone remembers Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire, right? His charming personality and good looks melted the hearts of women all over the world when he finally said those three little words to Rene Zellweger at the end of the movie: "You complete me."

His unbelievable good looks and incredible talent landed the respected actor roles in hit films like Risky Business, Top Gun, Mission Impossible (and the sequels) and Rain Man. But after Cruise started dating Katie Holmes and practicing Scientology he became a controlling (yet somehow out of control - remember him jumping on Oprah's couch?) man who felt the need to tell others how to live their lives (Brooke Shields to name just one).

Britney Spears

Everyone remembers Britney Spears as the pop icon of the late 90's and early 2000's. Her adorable looks, energetic personality and innocent (yet sexy) image successfully brought the music industry to a completely new level.

Her hit songs like Baby One More Time, Oops I Did it Again and I'm a Slave For You earned her more money and respect than other young female in the pop industry at the time.

But after breaking up with Justin Timberlake, marrying Kevin Federline, having two children, divorcing Kevin, shaving her head, entering and re-entering rehab multiple times and now dating a paparazzo, it's safe to say the former icon is spiraling out of control.

Two shining stars with so much brightness slowing fading away.

So who's the bigger tragedy?

We think Tom Cruise - there's still hope for Brit-Brit...

$1 - $30

Top Gun
Director: Tony Scott; Stars: Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis; Release Date: October 02, 2007Read full description ...

Product Rating: Read 57 Epinions reviews

$0.99 - $9.99

Far and Away
Director: Ron Howard; Stars: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman; Release Date: April 28, 1998Read full description ...

Product Rating: Read 13 Epinions reviews

$1 - $36

War of the Worlds
Director: Steven Spielberg; Stars: Tom Cruise, Miranda Otto, Dakota Fanning; Release Date: November 22, 2005Read full description ...

Product Rating: Read 132 Epinions reviews

$2 - $25

Eyes Wide Shut
Director: Stanley Kubrick; Stars: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman; Release Date: January 22, 2008Read full description ...

Product Rating: Read 381 Epinions reviews

$0.75 - $22.08

Few Good Men
Director: Rob Reiner; Stars: Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore; Release Date: July 01, 2008Read full description ...

Product Rating: Read 44 Epinions reviews

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Comments

HB (not verified)

Actually, Tom has been practicing Scientology since well before Katie, so the Scientology isn't new, but his willingness to espouse it in the media is. He has definitely gone over the top (calling Matt Lauer "glib," couch jumping, etc.), and I would agree with eGossip that he - actually Katie - is the bigger tragedy. Brit can get help if her parents and other "sane" people can keep leeches like Lutfi and Ghalib away. But Tom? He's firmly ensconced in his Scientology bubble. It's just sad to see what that has done to a once bubbly and charming Katie Holmes who is now a Scientology fembot. I don't care at this point if Cruise continues to open his mouth and further our assumptions that he's too far gone. I just wish he wouldn't take anyone else down with him!

Anonymous (not verified)

It's got to be tom, he's lost it all. Britney can bounce back, she was just finding herself and experiencing the suffering she's been so shut off from her entire life. She is in a bad way but she's strong and with luck will pull through and become and even stronger person -richer due to life experience. Tom! oh dear, he had it all then his ego got out of control and the cult managed to convince him he's a living god or something and now he thinks he's the only one able to help out at car crashes! HaHa Car Crashes! the only car crash is your carer tom! Plus don't forget britney is only hurting herself, Tom is making many desperate peoples life misery, they scrimp and save for expensive books and tapes while he relaxes in the celebrity center.

http://whatisrunningthroughourminds.blogspot.com/ (not verified)

Is there really any comparison? Neither entertainer is my favorite but Britney Spears life is a wreck. I may not agree with Scientologists but Tom Cruise is far from a wreck. He will still demand top dollar for his performances and has a family that he is happy with. When you take away her past success, Britney is a mess - personally, professionally and her finances seem to be diminishing quickly. She can't even be around her two children. There is no comparison.

Anonymous (not verified)

Tom lost the plot ages ago. He just made the crucial error of sacking his PR agent in favour of his sister. No doubt under pressure from the Scientology higher ups. I think there's more hope for Britney than there is for Tom. At least no one's keeping her from seeking psychiatric help!

Anonymous (not verified)

Britney hired a manager she thought she could trust. What did he do? Ground up psychotropic drugs and put them in her food, to better control her. His justification? "My reputation is not in question -- hers is". If she can get people like that out of her life, she's got a chance. Cruise, somehow, hasn't pulled in those kind of people.

scientology (not verified)

I think Tom is out

Nonya (not verified)

Hhhhmmm... Wow, tough call. I'll say brit has the better chance of bouncing back (never thought I'd find myself saying that!). Tom has made himself some VERY powerful enemies because of his precious cult. BIG career killer! Brit is still young. Tom is an instant has-been.

Anonymous (not verified)

Tom has taken the short term gain by joining Davids little cult but as soon as people realize how much of a idiot he has been no one will even want to look at him again yet alone pay to watch one of his dreadful films! If even one of the accusations in 'the book' is half true then he's a monster, i get the feeling theres still plenty of dirt yet to be dug on tom and his cult. Britney is just going through her 'wild days' she'll be back with a heartfelt 'don't cry for me' and demo her new deeper more grownup attitude and music and everyone will fall for her all over again.

Anonymous (not verified)

Most people are sympathetic to Britney's plight and are hoping she recovers. Why would there be any sympathy for Tom, who has shown himself to be a self-righteous jerk? While you hope Britney succeeds, you want to see Tom fail so he cannot validate his messianic mission or convert others to his cult. I will only reconsider Tom if he wakes up and admits that he had been brainwashed by science fiction writer Hubbard and Inc. and apologize for acting like a complete a$$.