Cruise Filed Lawsuit Against Chad Slater

In May 2001, actor Tom Cruise initiated a lawsuit against Chad Slater, a gay porn actor, following Slater's claims of an alleged affair with Cruise. These allegations were made public through an interview with the celebrity magazine Actustar, where Slater detailed his purported relationship with Cruise. The actor vehemently denied these claims, asserting that they were false and damaging to his reputation. The legal proceedings that ensued highlighted the complexities of celebrity culture and the impact of public statements on personal and professional lives. Slater, unable to mount a defense against the lawsuit, ultimately defaulted, leading to a court ruling that ordered him to pay $10 million in damages to Cruise. This case underscored the legal ramifications of defamation and the importance of protecting one's image in the public eye, particularly for high-profile individuals.