Tom Cruise is reportedly giving what sources have called a "cruel explanation" for his split from Ana de Armas, telling friends that the actress "wasn't up to his standards."

"The Mission: Impossible" star, 63, and the "Knives Out" actress, 37, called it quits after eight months, sources said, due to an "intense" but eventually exhausting romance. The couple was first seen on Valentine's Day, then photographed on a summer getaway in Vermont.

A source close to the actor told RadarOnline that he has been struggling since the split, despite claims that he initiated it. "Tom's spinning things to make it sound like he ended it – saying Ana didn't live up to what he wanted," the insider said. "But people close to him know that's just ego. It's also juvenile. Really, he's hurting. She was the one who stepped back, and it's shaken him badly."

A source also close to Cruise said the relationship was "carefully curated" within Cruise's tight circle, adding that even officials at Scientology saw de Armas as a "perfect future wife." According to the insider, "He truly believed Ana was his perfect match. He spoke about her like she was meant for him. Now he's changing the story to protect his pride."

The report cited Cruise's need for structure and control as a contributing factor in the breakup. As one insider related, "Tom tried to control every detail of Ana's life, image, brand and career. He'd weigh in on her workouts, her meals, even how she spoke in interviews."

Another source close to the couple characterized the demise of their romance as "a collision between her freedom and his relentless discipline." The insider explained, "Ana's very independent. She wanted a genuine relationship, not something that felt like an arrangement. Eventually, she began ignoring his calls for days, and that's when everything started to unravel."

Still, sources say Cruise is feeling "anger and despair" over the split. "He keeps insisting he's okay, but he's really crushed," says one friend. "He thought this was going to be his happy ending."

Cruise reportedly channels his emotions into his work as he prepares for yet another "Mission Impossible" film and the sequel to "Top Gun."

In separate news, Cruise and Ana de Armas, who have been linked since February and were seen holding hands in July, are not dating, a source close to the actress told PEOPLE.

The source said de Armas is single and has been for some time but maintains a close friendship with Cruise. "He is a dear friend and mentor to her," the source said. "She very much enjoys spending time with him."

Cruise and de Armas first appeared together publicly earlier this year while working on a project directed by Doug Liman and Christopher McQuarrie. The two have also been seen together socially, including on a Vermont getaway in July, where they were photographed holding hands.

Tags
Ana de Armas, Scientology