'Sounds desperate': Internet slams Tom Cruise as he reportedly wishes to 'explore relationship' with Monica Barbaro

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Following rumors that Russian socialite Elsina Khayrova declined Tom Cruise's proposal, sources claimed that the 61-year-old is already looking for her replacement with his 'Top Gun: Maverick' co-star Monica Barbaro.

It seems the apparent love between the Russian socialite and the Hollywood icon has died now. However, they continue to remain friends as they share the same apartment block in London, per The Sun.

Tom Cruise allegedly seeking 'stunningly beautiful' Monica Barbaro

In 'Top Gun: Maverick', Monica Barbaro played Lieutenant Natasha 'Phoenix' Trace, a naval aviator who underwent training on the F/A-18F Super Hornet and was an alumna of the US Navy's Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program, or TOPGUN.

Now, a source exclusively said of the 33-year-old to In Touch Weekly, "Tom thinks she’s stunningly beautiful. He’d like to explore a relationship with her."

And it would be ideal if love blossomed. "People around Tom believe they’re a great match," the insider continued. "But he genuinely wants her to succeed."

According to the insider, Barbaro is "flattered" by the attention. "But she wants to prove that she’s deserving of the role."

The insider added that Cruise has already had some influence on her career, having helped to cast her as singer Joan Baez in the Bob Dylan movie 'A Complete Unknown', directed by his old friend James Mangold.

The insider said, "Tom’s mentored younger actors before — men and women. It’s a very rewarding process for him."

In a 2022 interview with Elle, Barbaro expressed her happiness at being cast in such a significant role for a major motion picture.

"I was super stoked because of the fact that I got to play a pilot, and that my part in this classic action movie was not going to be that of a love interest," she remarked at the time.

Internet reacts to Tom Cruise's purported desire

Following the alleged news of Cruise's latest crush, Internet users took to the comment section of the aforementioned post, where one reader commented, "All of Tom's relationships have seemed liked business relationships - that's a min reason why they haven't worked out."

A second reader warned the gorgeous actress and wrote, "She is beautiful, and she is also a good actress. She was great in Top gun, I am sure she is deserving of all the roles that come her way. I hope she doesn't feel pressured to get into a relationship as though she owes him. If she wants to, go for up. But I really hope she doesn't feel indebted."

"She better think about it --- see what happened to his marriages and the role scientology played. A relationship with him is to be scrutinized by Scientology a controversial movement for lack of better word," warned third reader.

Another one echoed a similar sentiment and wrote, "He wants to “explore” a relationship; girl, run as fast as you can and as far as you can get from him or his “handlers”"

Another user noted, "She might want to consider someone closer to her own age that she can relate to. 28 years is pretty extreme if she's planning on having kids."

"Why Tom, why? You haven't see you own daughter in 10 years so why would any woman want a relationship with you. And I did say woman. Maybe some girls would," chimed in another one.

One more added, "Of course he would like to pursue a relationship with a woman half his age. Hollywood never changes. Why do we continue to be surprised?"

"Tom sounds desperate-too bad but guess the Russian lady was smart to run," snarked another one.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.