Katie Holmes reveals why she walked away from Hollywood after Tom Cruise split

Katie Holmes stepped away from Hollywood's spotlight after her high-profile split from Tom Cruise.

As reported by Radar Online, the actress deliberately traded red carpets and blockbuster fame for a more private existence in NYC.

After more than five years of their marriage, Cruise and Holmes got divorced in 2012. An insider tells the outlet, "It was quite an adaptation for Katie to drop out of the spotlight like she did, but at the time it felt entirely necessary because she needed privacy and a brand-new start that was as pressure-free as possible."

They added, "It was easier for her to move far away from Hollywood and enjoy a new life in Manhattan, where she could move around without being recognized or hassled, and create a new bubble for herself and Suri."

However, it turns out it wasn't temporary as "It's stayed that way for some years now... Katie is still living under the radar, and for the most part, it suits her perfectly."

Yet, nobody reportedly "knows the real story."

It is pertinent to mention that although Katie Holmes has remained silent about the marriage and divorce publicly, Tom Cruise acknowledged during a legal deposition that Scientology was one factor behind the split.

Furthermore, sources also highlighted the compromises the actress had to make.

The source said, "The downside in this very modest lifestyle is that Katie doesn't have the same career opportunities as she would have had."

She does miss the money that used to come her way, but overall she's fairly comfortable," they added.

Now, Holmes has focused on theater and independent creative projects while continuing low-profile life in Manhattan. She also stepped behind the camera, recently writing, directing and starring in the film trilogy Happy hours alongside former co-star Joshua Jackson.