Katie Holmes’ Life Without Tom Cruise

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July 2, 2012

Four days after filing for divorce from husband Tom Cruise, a somber -- and ring-less -- Holmes stepped out to film a guest appearance on Project Runway. "She looked really sad and was looking at the ground the whole time," a witness told Us Weekly of the newly separated star and single mom to 6-year-old Suri.

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July 5, 2012

In the weeks leading up to her surprise split from Cruise, the Jack and Jill actress secretly leased a $12,500-a-month apartment in New York's Chelsea neighborhood. After the news of their divorce broke, the 34-year-old Dawson's Creek alum focused all her energy on taking care of Suri. Looking noticeably slimmer than usual in a backless halter, jeans, and ballet flats, the two enjoyed some mother-daughter bonding at the Children's Museum of the Arts in Manhattan.

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July 11, 2012

Amid the frenzy of her bombshell breakup, Holmes and her mom, Kathy, took Suri to the Central Park Zoo, where they spent some time watching the penguins. "[Katie] was smiling and laughing with her little daughter," an eyewitness told Us Weekly. "They were so cute!"

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July 11, 2012

After spending a day with Suri at the zoo, the former Mrs. Tom Cruise hit the town for a hot night out in leather pants, heels, and a flirty cream blouse and matching blazer. "Anytime you feel good about yourself, you embody sexiness," she told Elle magazine shorty before announcing her divorce. "It's almost like a power or a confidence or a secret."

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July 20, 2012

On the heels of Suri's visit with dad Tom Cruise in East Hampton, N.Y., mother and daughter braved the stormy Manhattan weather to grab lunch together in NYC's Meatpacking District. "This is about protecting [Katie's] daughter," an insider explained to Us of the split. "She wants to be in charge of how Suri is being raised."

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July 27, 2012

A month after filing for divorce, the 34-year-old Ohio native dined with her lawyer, Jonathan Wolfe, in New York City. Leaving Nomad restaurant, she told reporters she had had a "great" night before kissing Wolfe's cheek goodbye and hailing a cab.

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July 29, 2012

Holmes kept Suri's mind off the split with a trip to the Bronx Zoo, where the 6-year-old bonded with three of the park's giraffes. As the little girl held out a branch for the animals to snack on, her mom grinned and snapped some candid photos of the interaction.

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August 19, 2012

Later in the summer, the Kennedys actress kept a watchful eye and a steady hand on her daughter as she taught the little girl to ride a bike. "Suri's life is going to change," a source told Us Weekly after Holmes' split from Cruise. "Katie wants to really become a parent and start teaching her strong discipline."

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September 1, 2012

Holmes got by with a little help from her friends -- including pal Jeremy Strong, her former co-star in 2010's The Romantics. After finalizing her divorce in August, the two spent an afternoon seeing an off-Broadway production of If You Haven't Found It Yet, starring Jake Gyllenhaal. "He's very plugged in to the New York theater scene and is showing her the ropes," a source told Us Weekly of Strong.

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September 5, 2012

Making her first official public appearance post-split, a stylish, smiling Holmes stepped out in New York City to attend the 9th Annual Style Awards at Lincoln Center, where she presented an award to fashion favorite Carolina Herrera.

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September 12, 2012

The Holmes & Yang designer nearly stole the spotlight at her first-ever Fashion Week runway presentation, where she and pal Jeanne Yang debuted their new collection. Speaking to Women's Wear Daily a few days before the show, the actress only briefly mentioned her split from Cruise, to whom she was married for six years. "There are a lot of people with much bigger problems and who are less fortunate," she said. "I try to keep it all in perspective."

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October 12, 2012

Taking a break from rehearsals for her Broadway play, Dead Accounts, the single mom stopped to chat with actor Ethan Hawke and his 14-month-old daughter, Indiana, in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood. "Katie is in a great place," a source told Us of the star. "She's an amazing woman who has gone through a lot. She¹s happier than before and dotes on Suri."

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October 22, 2012

On a rare night off from play rehearsals, the Dead Accounts actress joined Emma Roberts and Julianna Margulies for the red carpet launch of Narciso Rodriguez's Kohl's collection. Wearing a $70 black dress from the budget-friendly line, the star seemed relaxed as she posed for photos with her designer pal and chatted with fellow guests.

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November 5, 2012

Kiss me, Katie! After holing up with Suri during Hurricane Sandy, Holmes made her official return to the Great White Way when she took the stage for her first preview performance of Dead Accounts in early November. In one memorable scene, the actress locked lips with co-star Josh Hamilton, with whom she has become very close. (The play also stars Judy Greer and Norbert Leo Butz.) "They've all really bonded," a source told Us of the cast.

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November 5, 2012

Just like Us! Leaving the after-party for her first preview performance of Dead Accounts, the single mom joined the masses and hopped on the New York City subway, where she tried to keep a low profile in sunglasses and a messy bun. "Behind the scenes, she's a funny, loving girl, not an ounce of diva in her," an insider told Us of the star's easygoing demeanor.

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December 11, 2012

A week before her birthday, the Dead Accounts actress joined her director and other stars at the Broadway Dreams Foundation's Champagne and Caroling gala in NYC, where she "appeared to genuinely have a good time throughout the night," an onlooker told Us. Radiant in a purple Vivienne Westwood gown, the single mom "enjoyed two or three glasses of champagne and, by the latter half of the evening, was double-fisting the champagne in one hand with a Diet Coke in the other."

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December 12, 2012

At the star-studded 12-12-12 event for Hurricane Sandy relief, the Broadway babe stepped out in one of her most daring looks to date: a purple velvet Tom Ford dress with strategically-placed panels. And fashion risks aren't the only risks she's taking. As one critic noted, Holmes' return to Broadway was a "brave move." "You're never done, and who wants to be done?" she told Vogue of why she loves live theater. "It's just another opportunity to keep growing."

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January 2013 First Bobbi Brown ad

The star ushered in the new year with a smoky eye, sexy tousled locks and pink lips in her first campaign for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. "I really like [Bobbi's] philosophy that makeup makes you feel beautiful," Holmes said a statement. "You're already beautiful, but it makes you feel stronger and better."

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January 2013

The actress expanded her already-impressive resume by signing on to become a co-owner and celebrity spokesperson for Alterna Haircare. "It's good for my hair and good for the Earth, so I feel good using it," the single mom, often seen shopping at a local Whole Foods near her new home in Manhattan's Chelsea nabe, said of the all-natural beauty brand.

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March 2013

Single and ready to mingle with fellow stars like Katie Couric, Holmes stepped out in a sexy, sophisticated, black mesh Dolce & Gabbana dress at the New York Observer's 25th Anniversary Party in March. "I rely on my friends to inspire and lead me in the right direction and tell me when it's not working," she told Us Weekly of her fashion choices.

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March 2013

Holmes smoldered on the cover of Allure magazine's April issue, sporting wet hair, bold makeup and swimwear. In the issue, Suri's mama discussed the possibility of expanding her family down the line. "I don't know," she said. "I'm open to it."

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May 2013

For the first time in four years, Tom Cruise's ex attended the Met Gala back in May in a sizzling, backless white gown by Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein. She even flashed a sliver of sideboob in her punk-inspired outfit.

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May 2013

Energized and happy as can be! The actress frolicked in a Washington Square Park fountain, wearing a see-through white shirt, while filming a scene with Mania Days costar Luke Kirby. "Katie seems really happy," Rock of Ages director Adam Shankman told Us Weekly in March of the star post-Tom Cruise split. "You just fight through all the noise. And it's noisy!"

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August 2013

Along with her clothing line Holmes & Yang, the star decided to build upon her beauty resume by taking a hands-on approach in designing the Bobbi & Katie cosmetic collaboration collection.

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September 2013

After Suri, a student at Manhattan's Convent of Sacred Heart, broke her arm, her devoted mom was photographed tending to her young daughter. (A funny note on Suri's cast, written in black marker and all caps, told the 7-year-old fashionista, "No butt smacking with this!")

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October 2013

"So happy to be on twitter!!!!!!" wrote Holmes for her inaugural tweet with the verified handle @KatieHolmes212. The Romantics actress finally caved and joined the social media site on Friday, Oct. 25.

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November 2013

The actress put Us in the holiday spirit as the face of Bobbi Brown's Old Hollywood collection campaign. Dressed in a festive, red, lace cutout dress by Fabiola Arias, Tom Cruise's ex looked fierce and flawless in the retro-styled holiday ad campaign. She also paired her look with a bold, red lip.

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Katie Holmes' Life Without Tom Cruise

Since splitting from the Jack Reacher actor in late June 2012, the single mom to Suri has evolved both professionally and personally.