Katie Holmes: I'm more than Tom Cruise's ex

Katie Holmes doesn't want to be defined by her divorce from Tom Cruise.

In June 2012 it was announced that the couple had split after five-and-a-half-years of marriage, with their divorce worked out within two weeks. There was a great deal of interest in the breakup, with suggestions Katie couldn't get on board with Tom's Scientology faith and what it would mean for their now eight-year-old daughter Suri.

There is still speculation about the pair, which Katie finds wearing.

"I don't want that moment in my life to define me, to be who I am," she told People magazine. "I don't want that to be what I'm known as. I was an actor before, an actor during and an actor now."

Since the split, Katie has thought a lot about what she wants from life. That's led her to come up with a mantra which she tries to stick to.

"I don't have any fear now, I don't have a lot of rules for myself, and I don't take myself that seriously," she explained.

Katie has a lot on her plate career-wise at the moment. She's about to reprise her role as Jackie Kennedy in a TV miniseries and portrays a vigilante elementary school teacher in upcoming movie Miss Meadows, plus she's preparing to go behind the camera and direct an adaptation of Annie Weatherwax's book All We Had.

While she's excited about the challenges she has coming up, Katie is also focused on offering Suri the best upbringing possible.

"[She] means everything to me," the star explained. "I'm learning every day, and I have been since the minute I became a mom.

"My patience has grown, but between 4 and 6pm... I mean, wow. Between tickle fights and glitter art, I try to throw in some manners along the way."