It sounds like Scientology is going to figure prominently in Tom Cruise’s and Katie Holmes’ divorce no matter what, with allegations that Scientology is having Katie followed. However, one thing Katie can NOT do is use Tom’s membership to Scientology as a reason to get sole custody of their daughter, Suri. The US government recognizes Scientology as a religion, and a parent’s religious affiliation cannot be used to deny that person custody of his/her child, according to divorce attorneys who spoke to Radar Online. It’s unconstitutional. However, there’s still a way. One attorney  explained:

“If there are tenets in the religion that spell out certain ways to raise a child and Katie doesn’t feel that’s working for Suri, maybe because she’s acting out a lot, or not doing well in school, or has developmental issues, then that would be what she uses – the litmus test would be what is in the best interest of the child.”

[Another attorney added]: “If any parent’s religion impacts on that parent’s ability to act in the child’s best interest, then that’s going to be a factor for consideration. But in and of itself, how someone practices religion, should not matter. It is only down to whether a parent interacts with the child positively or negatively. If the religion of the parents causes it to be negative then that needs to be looked at.”

I’ve heard stories here and there about Scientology practices, but I don’t know the organization’s childrearing philosophies or practices. But if they’re unusual enough and Tom practices them, then it sounds like that’s what Katie will rely on in court, especially if she can get experts (like child psychologists) to testify that the Scientology practices are detrimental.

Photos by Diane Cohen/FAME

Katie Holmes was planning her exit strategy very carefully. She reportedly rented a New York apartment before filing her divorce papers (a separate one from the one Tom deeded her). The idea was that she could move there with Suri once the papers were submitted to the court. Given how powerful Tom Cruise is said to be, I guess it makes sense that Katie wouldn’t want a property he had any type of “ownership” over, so to speak.

TMZ reports that Katie was going back and forth between this new apartment and the couple’s apartment last month, even while Tom was in town filming ‘Oblivion.’ I’m guessing this was on the advice of her attorney, or perhaps her father. Katie’s father is an attorney, so I’m sure he has the knowledge and connections to get her the best representation possible. It looks like Katie has geared up to do battle! Hopefully Suri is protected from as much of this as possible.

Photos by JD/FameFlynet

The very careful (okay, some might say obsessive) observer of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, there was one very telling clue that things weren’t right between the couple in June. When Tom was filming ‘Oblivion’ in New York City in early June, he didn’t stay at his and Katie’s NYC pad. He stayed at the Greenwich Hotel instead while Kate and Suri stayed at the apartment.The couple slept apart and Tom “never once stepped in or near the apartment,” according to TMZ.

We’re told Katie did bring Suri to visit Tom at the hotel on two occasions for a few hours and that the visits were unplanned — Tom’s own security didn’t even know they were coming.
According to the people we spoke to in Tom and Katie’s building … they couldn’t remember the last time they had seen Tom.  Our sources say that while they were clearly having problems, Tom had no idea this was coming and his entire team was caught flat-footed by the filing.

As closely as the paparazzi follow Tom and Katie, isn’t it surprising that no one picked up on this? It just goes to show: some things can be hidden in plain sight.

Photos by KM/FameFlynet

Bradley Cooper isn’t letting all this heat keep him indoors! ‘The Hangover‘ star was spotted out and about on the (extremely hot) city streets. Between this record-breaking heat and seeing Bradley, admirers must’ve been swooning left and right- LOL. Bradley was spotted solo for his stroll.

There was no sign of either Scarlett Johansson or on-again, off-again girlfriend Zoe Saldana. Bradley has been linked with both actresses in the past month. This could all just  be rumor (Bradley seems to protect his privacy pretty fiercely) or Bradley could be enjoying the Hollywood dating life. Who knows?

Photos by CWNY/FameFlynet

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, who have said they are simply friends, were spotted out together again. This time they were having lunch at Soho House in West Hollywood. They dined out with a friend, though, so it wasn’t exactly a romantic lunch with just the two of them. Well, one thing is clear: the former ‘That ’70s Show’ co-stars are obviously rekindling their friendship, if nothing else!

I can’t IMAGINE trying to date as a celebrity in Hollywood. New relationships can be so delicate: it doesn’t take much to start a misunderstanding. So I don’t know if Ashton and Mila are dating or not (they certainly seem to be spending a lot of time together), but I don’t blame them for trying to see how things work without discussing it publicly. Time will tell…

Photos by Premiere/RR/FameFlynet

Jennifer Love Hewitt does what she has to do to keep her famous curves in shape: she hits the gym! Exercise may also be helping Jennifer cope: this is the first time I think I’ve seen her since her mother died about three weeks ago. Jennifer worked out with a friend, which was probably even more helpful (just having the company). ‘The Client List‘ star looks like she’s coping well under the circumstances.

Jennifer’s mother apparently had cancer, something Jennifer kept private. I was especially surprised to hear this since we’d just seen Jennifer out with her mother having lunch in mid-May, and her mother looked fine! Cancer can be that way, though. You just never know: things can change very suddenly. Hopefully Jennifer and her family are getting plenty of support.

Photos by Miguel/FameFlynet