Sometimes, being “nice” is like bringing a butter knife to a gunfight—it just won’t cut it. Tom Cruise’s date with Heather Locklear is a perfect example!

Tom Cruise

Remember Green Day’s catchy tune, Nice Guys Finish Last? Well, if you need proof, just look at Tom Cruise striking out on a date in his prime! Who would’ve thought that the man who can bring enemies to their knees couldn’t get Heather Locklear to swoon?

Indeed, from rescuing his partner on-screen as Maverick in Top Gun or performing jaw-dropping stunts as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible, one would think that wooing a lady would be part and parcel of Cruise’s repertoire.

Heather Locklear shared her humorous recollections of a mismatched date with Tom Cruise. Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick | Credit: Paramount Pictures

But even the most charming leading men trip over their words. The actor has had three marriages. Oh, and let’s not forget his list of high-profile romances, like those with Cher and Locklear. But hold your horses; let’s talk about that time he crashed and burned on his first date with the latter.

Heather Locklear & the One That Got Away: A Date with Tom Cruise

They say, “Sometimes you’re the pigeon, and sometimes you’re the statue.” Well, for Heather Locklear, her one and only date with Tom Cruise turned out to be a little of both! During a panel at 90s Con in Florida (via PEOPLE), she shared the story of how two rising stars collided in what could’ve been a Hollywood power couple moment—if only it hadn’t gone hilariously off the rails!

Back in the day, Locklear and Cruise crossed paths at an audition, and she candidly admitted:

We both did an audition for the film together—and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m terrible!’

But the actress, 62, quickly followed it up with a zinger:

He’s even worse!

The actress described Cruise as a “little baby boy” and recounted their awkward interactions, including his dance moves at Club Lingerie. Heather Locklear in Firestarter (1984) | Credit: Universal Pictures

Locklear continued to reminisce about Cruise’s youthful charm, calling him a “little baby boy” while dubbing herself the “rock and roll girl” who was clearly dancing to a different tune than the suave actor. She quipped about their interaction, saying he was very “yes ma’am,” while she shot back with a cheeky, “okay, sir”. The Hot in Cleveland actress, 62, added:

He didn’t quite cut it.

Their date took them dancing at Club Lingerie, and while Locklear acknowledged Cruise was “really cute,” she couldn’t resist sharing a laugh about his moves:

He actually did that iconic slide down on his knees before Risky Business. I was like, ‘Do you stop dancing if they’re down there?’ I was like ‘Yay!’ But he was very nice to me.

Just imagine being that close to a future movie moment and wondering if you should keep grooving or not! Of course, neither of them landed the role they auditioned for, which is a fitting metaphor for their date: a delightful disaster that never took off. Locklear went on to marry Tommy Lee in 1986 and later, Richie Sambora in 1994. And now? She’s engaged again to her high school sweetheart Chris Heisser (see USA Today).

Meanwhile, Cruise, who has had his share of romantic escapades (let’s not forget he’s divorced from Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, and Katie Holmes), could probably learn a thing or two from his Locklear experiences. After all, failing at a date in his prime serves as proof that even the nicest guys can hit a bump in the road!

Is Tom Cruise Currently Dating Anyone: What’s Cooking in His Love Life?

Reports indicate that Cruise is dating Elsina Khayrova, and they’ve been seen at public events while keeping their relationship relatively private. Elsina Khayrova (Source: Instagram | @elsina_k)

Earlier this year, reports surfaced suggesting that Tom Cruise is absolutely smitten. The action star, 62, attended a glamorous gala for London’s Air Ambulance Charity at Raffles Hotel, accompanied by his rumored girlfriend, Elsina Khayrova (via Dail Mail).

They were inseparable, clearly a couple. He seemed to be besotted with her.

Apparently, they’ve been growing closer by the week while taking care to dodge the paparazzi. The source added:

Tom has been staying the night at Elsina’s apartment, which, as you can imagine, is a very beautiful place.

Ah, we can only imagine the decor—probably as over-the-top as a Mission: Impossible stunt! And speaking of missions, Cruise is still flying high in his career. He’s gearing up for the untitled eighth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, directed by Christopher McQuarrie. Will he save the world while simultaneously wooing his new love?

Anyway, the film is scheduled to be released on May 23, 2025.