Tom Cruise’s Jennifer Hudson Show Spirit Tunnel Performance Is on Top

For Cruise, navigating adoring crowds has almost become old hat—but that doesn’t mean the novelty has ever worn off.

“First of all, it’s a beautiful thing to be able to walk into a room and people smile,” the 64-year-old said during his sit down with host Jennifer Hudson. “Even backstage when I was talking to everyone here, they’re saying, ‘I like this movie,’ and then say, ‘I like this movie.’ It is a really beautiful thing.”

He added, “Because I want to create—I like all kinds of music and movies and to be able to play in those arenas and share that with people. And so, it really opens those doors to humanity, in a way.”

And actually, being live and in-person with people and connecting over a shared love of art is one of Cruise’s favorite places to be.

“I like being in there,” he explained. “Don’t send me emails. We’re going to sit down. We’re going to communicate like face to face.”

Which is why fame for him is “an absolute privilege and responsibility,” he said. “It’s very beautiful.”

It’s partly why he’s so committed to every role he’s given, with his newest seeing the Oscar nominee play an oil tycoon that is convinced he can save the world in Digger.

Cruise is nearly unrecognizable in the dark satirical comedy, donning intense prosthetics. 

“When I’m working with people, I’m not afraid to, as I’m acting, to look foolish, to do it,” Cruise told GQ of his approach to roles in an interview published Sept. 15. “I work hard, and people that work with me, they know. I expect a lot and I’m up-front about it.”

“Even when I was a kid, they were like, ‘Oh, come on, Tom. You’re so intense,'” he continued. “I’m like, ‘I don’t know what to say. I am intense.’ I got a very good sense of humor about it.”

And that intensity will be on display when Digger hits theaters Sept. 22. For more information on the many movies hitting screens this fall, read on.