Yesterday we heard the advance news that Katie Holmes (aka Tom Cruise and the butt hurt Scientology goons) were planned to sue the parent company of Star Magazine for $50 million in damages over a misleading recent cover story that suggested that Holmes had a drug problem. The story inside the magazine focused on how addicting and mind-altering Scientology “treatments” can be, and that was probably the root of Cruise’s issue with the piece. The lawsuit has happened, and Katie’s rep has issued a statement that the cover was misleading and that it was “malicious” and played “a cheap trick on the public.”

Katie Holmes is no longer sitting idly as the tabloids write lies about her. The actress has filed a libel lawsuit seeking $50 million in damages from Star magazine after the weekly published a cover story that insinuated Holmes is a drug addict.

“Of all the fabricated stories that continue to be published about me, this instance is beyond the pale. The publisher knew this outrageous story was false and printed it anyway to sell magazines,” Holmes told PopEater in a statement.

The cover photo shows Holmes looking tired and upset, with the tagline: “Addiction Nightmare: Katie Drug Shocker! The real reason she can’t leave Tom.” Inside the issue, the story does not say that Holmes uses drugs but focuses more on her use of an “e-meter” during Scientology sessions, which allegedly reflects past emotional experiences.

The lawsuit alleges that Holmes was defamed by the tabloid. According to her rep, Holmes was forced to file this lawsuit “to vindicate her reputation after American Media refused to retract its vicious lies about her.”

“Star Magazine’s malicious claims about Katie are untrue, unethical and unlawful. Not only do they cruelly defame Katie, they play a cheap trick on the public, making ridiculously false claims on the cover unsupported by anything inside. Someone should bring a class action to get all buyers their money back,” Holmes’ attorney Bert Fields said in an official statement.

In order to prove libel in U.S. courts, the plaintiff must prove defamation occurred and that injury to their reputation happened as a result.

Star Magazine is standing by their cover story, telling PopEater: “We have not been served with any papers yet, however Star fully stands behind the editorial integrity of what we have published concerning Ms. Holmes’ controversial use of the Scientology e-meter. The physical effect of the e-meter on its users is a matter of significant public concern, and we plan to vigorously defend the suit filed by Ms. Holmes. Our attorneys look forward to deposing Ms. Holmes about her experiences with Scientology and the e-meter, and expect that the case will be promptly dismissed by the court.”

Holmes and Cruise are frequently featured in the magazine with headlines suggesting that the actress is unhappy and wants out of her marriage.

Back in 2008, the actress reveled she was fed up with the tabloid lies being printed about her family. “I do know what is being said in the press. This is my family, and I do care about them. The stories are not OK. It eats away at me. Some of the crap that’s out there — it’s really frustrating the amount of s**t that’s out there!” she told Vanity Fair magazine.

[From Popeater]

This lawsuit is not going to go anywhere and Star is already pretty bold in their response to it. In Touch made much worse claims about David Beckham’s proclivity for hookers but his suit was recently thrown out because they couldn’t prove In Touch did it with malice. As I mentioned yesterday, Katie’s people (Tom’s) just want to send out a message that they don’t tolerate this and that it’s not true. What’s more is that they don’t want the tabloids using Tom and Katie’s celebrity to get the word out about how damaging Scientology can be.

Katie Holmes is shown at the MaxMara show in Milan on 2/24/11 with her mom. Credit: Fame