Katie Holmes reaches out to Nicole Kidman

New York - Katie Holmes reached out to Nicole Kidman for support as she planned her divorce from Tom Cruise.

The 33-year-old actress is said to have been offered a helping hand from Nicole - who split from Tom in 2001 after 10 years together - since the couple split late last month following five years of marriage.

A source told Us Weekly: "They've spoken over the last few weeks. Nicole has been supportive, saying she's been through it too and to hang in there.

"Nicole offered her support and help."

'Private friend'

Nicole - who has two adopted children, Isabella, 19, and Connor, 17, with Tom - has been friends with Katie since 2006, when her ex-husband married the Dawson's Creek star, but she is said to have been more of a "private friend" to the brunette beauty over the last few weeks.

The source added: "She has been a private friend not many people know about."

The couple - who have six-year-old daughter Suri - reached a private divorce settlement on Monday less than two weeks after they split.

It is believed Katie will get primary custody of Suri and continue to live with her in New York City, with Tom allowed generous visitation rights, although representatives of the pair are yet to confirm any details of their settlement.

But the couple did release a joint statement earlier this week insisting they are "committed" to working on their daughter's "best interests".

They said: "We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri's best interests. We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other's commitment to each of our respective beliefs and support each other's roles as parents."