Penelope Cruz Awaits Tom's Arrival

By Stephen M. Silverman

Friday November 30, 2001 10:10 AM EST

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Penelope Cruz, 27, isn't only getting attention from "Vanilla Sky" costar Tom Cruise. The sultry Spanish actress, whose effigy was unveiled this week at London's Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, is already "a huge hit, especially with the men. They're all stopping to have their photos taken with her," museum spokeswoman Fiona Pirrie told Reuters. The Cruz likeness sports a glittering gown with a plunging neckline, which can only add to the attraction. Pirrie admitted that some men have been known to get "carried away" with some of the figures, such as those of pop kitten Kylie Minogue and supermodel Elle MacPherson, whose statue required its own security guard. But there's room for male sex symbols, too. A new likeness of Cruise is expected to be unveiled at the museum in January and planted next to that of Cruz. And they will not be alone. Nicole Kidman's wax statue is slated to be placed not far away. Originally, Kidman and Cruise were to have been displayed together. "The plan," said Pirrie, "was to do the hot Hollywood couple. But we'll do Nicole because her career is taking off and she's considered one of the world's most beautiful women." Besides, Pirrie notes, "People still love her anyway."