Celebrity Divorce

Divorces, violence, and even a racial controversy -- it seems the "Rock of Ages" cast has been smothered in bad fortune from the moment the project began. It's almost like ... THEY'RE CURSED!

Think about it ...

Tom Cruise -- "Blindsided" with divorce papers from Katie Holmes ... who filed in New York instead of California because she's gunning for sole legal custody of their daughter.

Russell Brand -- Marriage to Katy Perry goes belly up after production begins on "Rock" ... later investigated by police in New Orleans for smashing an iPhone belonging to a paparazzo.

Mary J. Blige -- Engulfed in racial controversy back in April ... after she was featured singing about fried chicken in a Burger King commercial. Mary's charity's went broke and was sued after failing to pay back a $250k loan.

Alec Baldwin -- Kicked off a flight in Dec. after screaming at a flight attendant who asked him to stop playing "Words with Friends." Later went to cops to report an alleged stalker. Investigated by the NYPD after allegedly attacking a photog.

Julianne Hough -- We can't think of anything ... yet ... but don't say we didn't warn you.

Puddle of Mudd singer Wes Scantlin was so happy to finally end his marriage ... he signed the divorce docs with not one, but TWO smiley faces!

TMZ has learned ... Wes' 4-year marriage to a hot blond chick named Jessica is one step closer to being terminated ... with the rocker agreeing to fork over $2,500 per month in alimony.

Jessica originally wanted the court to toss out their pre-nup so she could reap half of Scantlin's fortune ... but she ultimately withdrew her request after the two sides came to an agreement about how they will divide the assets.

Obviously Wes was happy with the outcome -- as evidenced by the smiley faces.

Jessica's lawyer, Brian Kramer, tells TMZ, "It’s most definitely the first time in all my years of doing this work that I’ve have had an opposing party sign with a smiley face on a divorce decree imposing maximum spousal support.

Katie Holmes' master plan to file for divorce in New York may have created HUGE tax problems for Tom Cruise ... sources connected with the couple tell TMZ.

TMZ broke the story ... Katie filed divorce docs in NYC, in large part because she wants sole legal custody of Suri and New York courts are way more likely to grant Katie sole legal custody and control over child-rearing decisions than California courts.

But here's the problem ... sources connected with the couple tell us ... Tom has been trying to do everything legally within his power to avoid strong ties to New York City because the tax rates are ridiculously high ... and he does not want any appearance that he or Katie have been living there.

But here's the thing ... TMZ has obtained documents which show Tom deeded their NYC apartment to Katie last August and our sources say it was done specifically for tax purposes. Point of fact ... the deed lists a transfer to a trust, but TMZ has confirmed it's a trust established for the benefit of Katie.

Sources say Katie is using the apartment to establish residency in New York for the purpose of the divorce -- something we're told can screw Tom tax-wise.

Katie Holmes is divorcing Tom Cruise because she fears Tom will force her into the Church of Scientology, hook, line and sinker. So we gotta ask ...

Tom Cruise was spotted today for the first time since news of his divorce from Katie Holmes broke ... riding aboard a helicopter in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Katie shocked the world yesterday (ok, not really) when she filed for divorce after five years of marriage to the "Rock of Ages" star.

Katie Holmes had a VERY good reason for filing for divorce from Tom Cruise in New York ... because unlike California ... NY is a state that doesn't like giving waring parents joint power to make decisions for their kid.

As TMZ first reported, Katie filed the papers in New York ... and we know she's gunning for sole legal custody of 6-year-old Suri primarily because she doesn't want Tom to drag their daughter into the Church of Scientology.

Despite the fact Tom and Katie filed their marriage certificate in California, Katie went all the way to the East Coast to file the divorce docs because she knows she has a MUCH better chance of getting sole legal custody there ... New York family law judges typically don't like giving two parents who don't get along the power to make child-rearing decisions because they believe the kids will suffer from endless conflicts.

But ... our sources say Tom may mount a fight to bring the case to California ... which favors joint legal custody.

Tom Cruise really had NO CLUE Katie Holmes planned to file for divorce -- at least judging by this photo, showing what appears to be a blissfully ignorant Tom clinging to his soon-to-be ex-wife ... just two weeks ago.

The photo was snapped on June 16th in a city called Reykjavik -- where Tom's been filming his new movie -- and by the looks of it, Tom wasn't suspecting a thing as far as divorce was concerned ... walking around hand-in-hand with Katie.

And Katie didn't let on either.

The pic is even more proof Tom was "blindsided" by the divorce papers.

TMZ broke the story ... Katie filed divorce docs against Tom in New York yesterday, citing "irreconcilable differences."

Katie Holmes filed for divorce primarily over Tom Cruise's fierce ties to Scientology, fearing that Tom would drag Suri deep into the church ... sources connected with the couple tell TMZ.

Our sources say ... Katie has never been fully committed to Scientology, even though she has had ties with the church. We're told the couple had been arguing over Suri -- that she's now of the age where Scientology becomes a significant part of her life.

Sources familiar with the split tell us Katie is filing for sole legal custody -- as we first reported -- specifically because she does not want Tom to control decisions relating to religion.

Sources have told us that the divorce is NOT about money -- we're told Katie doesn't need Tom's money ... because she has plenty of it ... and will be well taken care of under the terms of the prenup.

To give you an idea of how fierce Tom's ties to the Church are -- a video featuring the actor discussing what Scientology means to him leaked onto YouTube in 2008. You gotta watch the whole thing.

Katie Holmes is the one who filed for divorce and Tom Cruise was "blindsided" by Katie's legal move ... TMZ has learned.

We know Katie filed the divorce docs in New York on June 28, citing "irreconcilable differences." She is asking for sole legal custody and "primary residential custody" of the couple's 6-year-old daughter, Suri.

We also know Katie is asking for a "suitable amount" of child support .. this according to the divorce docs.

Katie also asks for a division of property in her divorce docs, although we know there was a significant prenup that is based on California law. Katie makes no mention of the prenup in her filing.

We're told Tom is "very sad" and "did not see this coming." He was spotted wearing his wedding ring just this week while filming in Iceland. Interestingly, Katie also wore her ring this week.

We're also told there is some "nastiness" here, evidenced by Katie's move to get sole legal custody.

Tom's rep has released a statement saying, "Kate has filed for divorce and Tom is deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children. Please allow them their privacy to work this out."

Katie's divorce petition was filed anonymously, without names.

11:05 AM PT -- Katie filed the papers -- and Tom was "blindsided." Katie wants sole legal custody and "primary residential custody" of Suri.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are getting DIVORCED ... after 5 years of marriage.

Katie's attorney, Jonathan Wolfe released a statement saying, "This is a personal and private matter for Katie and her family."

TMZ has learned Katie filed the docs in NYC ... and wants SOLE custody of Suri.

We're told Tom and Katie have a prenup. The net worth of both Tom and Katie is around $275 mil, but clearly Tom raked in most of that.

For what it's worth, Katie did not attend any of the "Rock of Ages" premieres.

Tom and Katie have one child together, Suri, who is 6-years-old.

49-year-old Tom has 2 children from his previous marriage to Nicole Kidman. He was also married to actress Mimi Rogers from 1987 to 1990.

Cruise and 33-year-old Holmes were married in November 2006 in a lavish ceremony held at an Italian castle. The split was first reported by People.com.

Tom has been spotted in Iceland this week where he's been shooting a movie called "Oblivion."

Katie and Suri have been spotted in NYC all week. Katie was still wearing her wedding ring.

Update #1 -- Sources tell TMZ ... Scientology was a major factor in Katie's decision to pull the plug on the marriage.

Update #2 -- Tom and Katie were HOLDING HANDS in Iceland just 2 weeks before Katie filed for divorce ... more proof Tom was truly "blindsided" by Katie's decision to end the marriage.

Tom Cruise was married to Mimi Rogers in the '80s, Nicole Kidman in the '90s, and for the last five years to Katie Holmes.

Question is ...

Parminder Nagra made a bloody fortune during her stint on "E.R." ... so says her soon-to-be ex-hubby ... who claims she's HIDING her TV loot so he can't get the money that's rightfully his.

James Stenson just filed a lawsuit against Nagra -- claiming they were "life partners" for 6 years before they were formally married in 2009 ... and during that period, they promised to share their combined wealth.

In fact, Stenson claims when Nagra got the "E.R." gig in 2004, he agreed to give up his job as a photographer and took on the role of managing the couple's life in L.A. ... even though he was making more than $300k per year as a shutterbug at the time.

But Stenson claims Nagra was secretly plotting to keep all of their wealth under her command ... and did so by setting up a shell corporation that only she controlled. Stenson claims the couple purchased 3 homes during their pre-marital partnership, but they were all bought through the "shell" company.

Former Super Bowl champion Corey Dillon is experiencing a case of divorce deja vu ... 'cause his longtime wife is calling off their marriage ... for the second time.

The former New England Patriots running back has been hit with divorce papers from his wife of 12 years, Desiree Antoine-Dillon.

According to the docs, filed in L.A. County Superior Court and obtained by TMZ, Desiree is blaming the split on irreconcilable differences.

Desiree is asking for full legal and physical custody of their 3 minor children ... with Corey getting visitation rights. She's also asking for spousal support.

Desiree had filed for divorce from Corey back in 2010 ... but the split was called off a month later.

Kris Humphries swore under oath during his deposition Monday ... Myla Sinanaj was just a friend, who was mighty curious about Kim Kardashian ... sources connected with the bballer tell TMZ.

Kris -- who was required to sit for the depo by Kim's legal team -- insisted he only knew Myla for a few months, even though we're told they were banging since January.

Sources connected with Kris tell us ... he admitted he spoke "generally" to Myla about Kim, but only when she asked questions, such as ..."What's she like in real life?" Kris testified he never spoke to Myla about his divorce.

And our sources say ... Kris was asked various questions about his allegation that Kim defrauded him into marrying her and her motivation was just a crass ploy for ratings. We're told Kris offered no specifics ... no evidence of fraud.

Sources connected with Kris say they don't want to disclose evidence of fraud until the trial. Thing is ... his testimony was under oath and we're told he offered nothing.

Stay tuned

Don't count on hearing any awkward jokes about having sex with Roseanne Barr -- because her famous ex-husband Tom Arnold wants nothing whatsoever to do with her upcoming Comedy Central roast.

A rep for Tom tells TMZ, the actor will NOT be reaching out to Comedy Central to participate and will say no if the network reaches out to him.

The rep adds, "He has absolutely no interest in being apart of it." The rep explained the couple simply doesn't talk anymore, and that's not gonna change any time soon.

Tom and Roseanne were married from 1990-1994 -- and their split was notoriously nasty, culminating in a screaming match outside the "Roseanne" set in 1994.

The bad news for Kris Humphries -- he's about to face hours of grueling/brutal questioning from Kim Kardashian's legal team. The good news -- the lawyer is really hot.

We've learned Kris is minutes away from taking an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and then disso queen Laura Wasser's associate (who's just as hot as Laura) will fire questions at Kris. Por ejemplo ...

-- If you were so devastated by Kim pulling the plug on your marriage, why were you banging a new girlfriend 2 months later?

-- Why do you think you're entitled to $7 million when you signed a prenup saying you'd get nothing?

-- Did you not profit from the marriage, by becoming the celebrity to which you have aspired?