American public sceptical about Cruise romance

Tom Cruise (L) and Katie Holmes. Picture / Reuters

As Tom Cruise vaunts his romance with actress Katie Holmes, Americans are sceptical about whether the relationship is true love or an extravagant publicity stunt.

As the Top Gun heart-throb, 42, proclaims his love for the 26-year-old actress, fans and media suspect the much-publicised affair has more to do with two new films starring Cruise and Holmes.

A poll by People magazine indicates that 63 per cent of readers believe the romance is a publicity stunt, while 37 per cent believe the pair are in love.

Cruise is the star of Steven Spielberg's big-budget War of the Worlds, due for US release on June 29, while Holmes makes her big-screen debut in Batman Begins, which opens June 15.