How Could You Betray Me,Russell?

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When an established couple splits, mutual friends inevitably end up taking sides. And in the case of Nicole Kidman’s divorce from Tom Cruise in 2001, Russell Crowe declared his allegiance to longtime confidante Nicole.

But after more than a decade of shunning Tom out of respect for the Oscar-winning Aussie actress, Kiwi-born Russell has committed the ultimate betrayal. Not only is he working with Tom, 54, on new film The Mummy, but the men will also team up on the red carpet for its premiere in Nicole’s hometown of Sydney this month.

“She can’t stand the thought that her best buddy is going to be hanging out with the person she loathes more than anyone,” tells a friend. “Talk about a slap in the face!”