Shy Holmes drops out of gala event

Publicity-shy Holmes Katie Holmes dropped out of attending a New York City fashion gala at the last minute because she didn't want to be the focus of attention following the revelation she is dating Tom Cruise, imdb.com reports.

The Wonder Boys beauty was due to sit at designer Carolina Herrera's table at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute gala, but wanted some time out of the limelight after being overwhelmed by the level of recent attention.

Cruise's sister and publicist Lee Anne Devette confirmed the rumours of a romance were true after the couple were spotted together in Italy last week.