Holmes wanted to focus on solo image

Katie Holmes showed signs she was distancing herself from Tom Cruise in a new magazine interview.

The actress spoke to a women's publication just weeks before she announced she was to divorce the 'Oblivion' actor.

During the questioning she hinted that she wanted to focus on her separate image as opposed to being Tom's wife and the mother of his child Suri Cruise.

She told the American edition of Elle magazine: "He has been Tom Cruise for 30 years. I know who I am and where I am and where I want to go, so I want to focus on that."

When asked whether she thought being married to Tom helped or hurt her when it came to getting new jobs she admitted that she realised she would have to put extra effort into establishing her own brand.

She confessed: "Things are not handed to anyone. If anything, you work a little bit harder when you're in such visible circumstances."

Katie also stated that she has no problem being independent and thinks that her age is the reason behind it.

She said: "I definitely feel much more comfortable in my own skin.

"I feel sexier. I think in my twenties - it's like you're trying too hard to figure everything out...I'm starting to come into my own. It's like a new phase."