Two major weddings and a megastar on the rise: A look back on the defining celebrity stories of 2006, 20 years on

While 2006 feels like two weeks ago for many of us, it is now two decades ago. (Rude.)

A lot has changed since then, not least the world of celebrity – back then, the word 'influencer' didn't exist in our collective vocabulary and TikTok wasn't even a twinkle in its creator's eye.

What has endured is an undying appetite for pop culture news, be it lavish weddings, wild awards show antics, bitter splits or even more bitter feuds.

So, as 2026 rolls on, let's take a look back at the celebrity news stories that had us all talking 20 years ago.

'TomKat' make it official

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' whirlwind romance dominated headlines in 2005.

In April, they made their public debut; in May, Cruise declared his love to the Dawson's Creek star by leaping on Oprah's couch; in June they were engaged; and by October, they were expecting their first child.

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2006 was equally busy for the couple – in April they welcomed daughter Suri, and in November they said "I do".

The Hollywood stars, who have since split, married in a 15th-century castle in Bracciano, Italy, with the event said to have cost millions.

Guests included Brooke Shields, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey, David and Victoria Beckham, while Andrea Bocelli serenaded the couple during dinner.

A rising star named Taylor Swift

These days, fans refer to Taylor Swift as 'the music industry', and they're hardly exaggerating.

In 2026, she's undoubtedly the biggest music star in the world, with 12 chart-topping albums (not to mention numerous re-recorded versions), several awards, a record-smashing world tour and a fierce fandom to her name.

But in 2006, she was a burgeoning country music starlet sharing her self-titled debut album with the world.

Swift's debut single Tim McGraw hit the airwaves in June, followed by the album Taylor Swift, including the tracks Our Song and Teardrops on My Guitar, on October 24.

It might not have sparked the same global frenzy her new music drops do now, but it was still a major success and set her on the path to megastardom.

The end of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe

While some star couples headed for the aisle in 2006, one closed the chapter on their love story.

After seven years of marriage, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe announced their separation in October.

The actress filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

"They remain committed to their family and we ask that you please respect their privacy and the safety of their children at this time," a rep for the couple said in a statement.

The Cruel Intentions co-stars had met in 1997, and married in 1999 before welcoming a daughter, Ava, and son, Deacon.

Kylie Minogue's return to the stage

November 2006 marked a triumphant comeback for Kylie Minogue following her treatment for breast cancer.

The Aussie singer, then 38, kicked off her Showgirl Homecoming Tour in Sydney, 18 months after announcing her diagnosis in May 2005.

Minogue had received the news days before she was due to start the Sydney leg of her Showgirl world tour, and was forced to postpone the event to begin treatment.

It was slightly different to the original production, with a name change and some aspects of the performance scaled back.

"I actually can't do the same things," Minogue said ahead of the tour kicking off.

"I can't wear the same costumes. How can I do that a year-and-a-half later and feel that I'm meant to be replicating what that was, when I'm not the same person?"

Nicole and Keith say 'I do'

After meeting and falling in love the previous year, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban took their love to the altar on June 25, 2006.

The Aussie screen legend and the New Zealand-born country music star married in Kidman's hometown of Sydney, at the Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel in Manly.

The event was attended by fellow homegrown stars including Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Naomi Watts, with Kidman later describing it as "an extraordinary day."

Kidman and Urban went their separate ways in 2025, finalising their divorce earlier this year.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's baby news

Six months after going public with their romance in the most Hollywood way – a magazine spread – Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt had some more big news to share.

The actress revealed she was pregnant during a trip to the Dominican Republic in January 2006, with the news later confirmed by the couple's rep.

This would be the first biological child for Jolie, who was already a mum to son Maddox and daughter Zahara, both of whom she adopted.

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt was born in Namibia in May 2006. Jolie and Pitt sold the first photos of their daughter to People magazine for millions, which they directed to charity.

A sad farewell

September 4, 2006 brought the news nobody could have seen coming: the death of Aussie 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin.

The TV personality was filming on the Great Barrier Reef when a stingray unexpectedly attacked him, its barb piercing his chest and puncturing his heart and lungs.

Despite efforts to save him through hours of CPR, Irwin – who had two young children, Bindi, eight, and Robert, two, was pronounced dead on the scene.

The news shocked the conservationalist's fans throughout Australia and the world.

A private funeral was held in Caloundra on September 9 before Irwin was buried in a private ceremony at Australia Zoo, which his parents had founded.

On September 20, a public memorial service was held at the zoo and broadcast live around the world to millions of viewers.

Bindi was among the family members and public figures who spoke during the event.

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