Why is Tom Cruise banned from ever buying a Bugatti?
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Tom Cruise, an actor renowned for his breathtaking stunts, has been banned from buying a Bugatti for an unexpected and somewhat bizarre reason. Despite his high-profile status and his impressive car collection, which includes a Buick Roadmaster, Ford Mustang Saleen S281, Chevrolet Chevelle SS, and Chevrolet Corvette C1, Cruise has been blacklisted by the luxury car manufacturer.
The Incident That Led to the Ban
The incident that triggered this ban occurred back in 2006. Cruise arrived at the premiere of “Mission: Impossible III” at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in a Bugatti Veyron, a car he had purchased the previous year for approximately $1.9 million. The spectacle of Cruise driving up in such an iconic car was meant to be a highlight of the event. However, things took an unexpected turn when he struggled to open the passenger side door for his then-girlfriend, Katie Holmes.
The moment was captured on camera and quickly spread across the internet, causing quite a stir. For a brand like Bugatti, known for its precision engineering and flawless design, this public mishap was embarrassing. Reports suggest that Bugatti was not pleased with this negative publicity and subsequently blacklisted Cruise from ever purchasing another Bugatti.
Public Reactions
The video clip of Cruise’s struggle has garnered millions of views and a variety of reactions. One viewer commented, “Banning Tom Cruise made it look even worse for Bugatti than having a crap door.” Another person quipped, “This mission was quite simply… puts on sunglasses …IMPOSSIBLE.” A third joked, “Bugatti Veyron = $2 million / Cannot open your date’s door in front of the whole world = priceless.”
A Wider Blacklist
Interestingly, Tom Cruise is not the only celebrity rumored to be on Bugatti’s blacklist. Reports indicate that other high-profile figures, including boxing champion Floyd Mayweather, former F1 champion Jenson Button, and TV personality Simon Cowell, have also faced similar bans. The reasons behind these bans are not entirely clear, but it appears that Bugatti is very protective of its brand image and does not take kindly to any incidents that might tarnish its reputation.
Conclusion
While Tom Cruise’s ban from buying a Bugatti might seem like an overreaction, it underscores the meticulous care luxury brands like Bugatti take in maintaining their image. For Cruise, a man who has performed some of the most daring stunts in film history, it was a simple task—opening a car door—that led to an unexpected and peculiar consequence. This incident serves as a reminder that even the most glamorous and powerful can be brought down by the simplest of tasks, and for Bugatti, image is everything.