Heather Locklear shared anecdotes about her early encounter with Tom Cruise, revealing his polite demeanor and her initial doubts about their compatibility. Despite Cruise's charm and famous dance move, Locklear's "rock and roll" lifestyle proved to be a mismatch.
In a revealing interview at 90s Con Florida, Heather Locklear shared her memories of meeting a young Tom Cruise at the start of their careers. The two actors auditioned for the same film, leaving Locklear unimpressed with their performances. "We both did an audition for the film together — the two of us — and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I'm terrible,’” she said, according to People. "He's even worse!’"
Locklear described Cruise as a "little baby boy" at the time, in contrast to her more mature demeanor. She recalled an encounter at her house with Cruise and Sean Penn, noting that Cruise's polite mannerisms struck her as overly formal. "He was very, ‘yes ma'am’ to me, and I was like, ‘okay, sir,’” she said.
Heather Locklear on Tom Cruise's Early Days: 'He Didn't Quite Cut It'
Despite Cruise's apparent charm, Locklear felt a disconnect between their lifestyles. "He didn't quite cut it," she shared. "We went out dancing to Club Lingerie at that time, and — and I've said this before — I mean, he was really cute."
Locklear went on to explain that she had witnessed Cruise's famous dance move, where he slides to the ground on his knees, long before it was featured in "Risky Business." "He actually did that before [the movie], and I was dancing along like, ‘Do you stop dancing if they're down there?’” she said, referencing Cruise's playful gesture.
Heather Locklear on Tom Cruise's Early Days: 'He Didn't Quite Cut It'
Although neither Locklear nor Cruise landed the role they auditioned for, their paths continued to cross. Locklear married rocker Tommy Lee in 1986, while Cruise began his own illustrious career.
Locklear's breakthrough came with her role in "Melrose Place," which ran for seven seasons from 1992 to 1999. She has since made a comeback in the Lifetime biopic "Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story."
Heather Locklear on Tom Cruise's Early Days: 'He Didn't Quite Cut It'
Cruise, meanwhile, has been married three times, including to Nicole Kidman and Katie Holmes. His career has soared to new heights, with multiple Oscar nominations and iconic performances in films like "Top Gun," "Mission: Impossible," and "Jerry Maguire."
Despite their initial encounter, Locklear and Cruise have maintained a cordial relationship over the years. Their memories of their early days in Hollywood serve as a testament to the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry.
Heather Locklear on Tom Cruise's Early Days: 'He Didn't Quite Cut It'
