Nicole Kidman is reflecting on the moment she was told her mother Janelle Kidman had died right before she was about to go on stage to accept an award.
Speaking to Variety on Saturday, April 18, Nicole, 58, detailed how she found out about the loss at the Venice International Film Festival as she was preparing to accept a best actress award for her role in Babygirl.
“I was about to go out on stage, and I found out that my mother had passed,” Nicole told the outlet. “I went right back to my room in Venice, was getting into bed, and I was completely devastated.”
Nicole added that as she digested the sad news at the time, she thought to herself, “‘I’m not sure how I’m going to move forward or function now.’ She was so much a part of my existence.”
In September 2024, the Big Little Lies actress left Venice early to make her way home to Australia after learning of Janelle’s death.
Speaking to Variety on Saturday, Nicole also described her “harrowing” attempt to leave Venice in the middle of the night trying to return to her home country.
“I remember getting into a boat in the canal, literally at night, trying to find my way to the airport, and then turning around going, ‘I can’t even do this,’” she said. “Then I went back to bed. And I was alone. My husband wasn’t there, my children weren’t there. I was there to win an award, which should’ve been a beautiful thing. That there is the contrast of life.” (Nicole was married to Keith Urban at the time, with whom she shares daughters Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14. Nicole and Urban finalized their divorce in January.)
At the time, Babygirl director Halina Reijn confirmed Janelle’s death as she read a statement on behalf of Nicole during a Venice International Film Festival panel.
“Today I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after, that my beautiful, brave mother Janelle Ann Kidman has just passed,” Reijn, 50, read on Nicole’s behalf. “I am in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her, she shaped me, she guided me and she made me.”
The statement continued, “I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina, the collision of life and art is heart-breaking, and my heart is broken.”
Less than a week after their mother’s death Nicole and her sister Antonia, 55, took to Instagram to share a joint post thanking friends and fans for their condolences and well wishes.
“My sister and I along with our family want to thank you for the outpouring of love and kindness we have felt this week,” Nicole and Antonia wrote. “Every message we have received from those who loved and admired our Mother has meant more to us than we will ever be able to express. Thank you from our whole family for respecting our privacy as we take care of each other ❤️”
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