Nicole Kidman Leaves Venice Film Festival After Family Tragedy
As a major Hollywood star, Nicole Kidman is no stranger to taking audiences on emotional rollercoasters, but she recently experienced one herself in real life. She was attending the Venice Film Festival and was about to accept the Volpi Cup award for Best Actress for her amazing performance in Babygirl. However, she wasn’t able to accept the award in person because she found out that her mother (Janelle Ann Kidman) had passed away and immediately left to go be with her family.
Halina Reijn Stepped In
Babygirl director Halina Reijn ended up accepting the award on Nicole Kidman’s behalf, though Kidman left behind a touching statement for the Venice Film Festival attendees.
The first part of the statement explained that the star’s mother (whom she declared “brave” and “beautiful”) and explained in simple terms how she felt and why she wasn’t there to accept the award. “I’m in shock and I have to go to my family.”
A Tribute To Her Mother
The rest of Nicole Kidman’s statement to attendees was short and emotional: she told everyone that “this award is for her” and went on to praise her mother, who “shaped me, she guided me, and she made me.”
She declared “I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina,” effectively helping her mother live on through her touching words. “The collision of life and art is heartbreaking, and my heart is broken,” Kidman concluded.
Australia
As for Halina Reijn, she added her own message to Nicole Kidman after reading the actor’s statement: “We love you all, Nicole.” Obviously, the exact timing of her mother’s death took Kidman by surprise. Unfortunately, though, her mother’s declining health was something the star had been worrying about for years.
Back in 2022, Nicole Kidman gave an interview that clarified why she had moved back to her native country of Australia. “We’re down here primarily to take care of my mother and to have her surrounded by her grandchildren,” she said.
At the time, she sounded a bit more optimistic about her mother’s condition, noting that the family was able to show her a Matisse exhibit in an after-hours Art Gallery of New South Wales visit, something Kidman characterized as “a soothing balm” for “a mother who raised me in the arts.”
Kidman And Her Mother
By all accounts, Nicole Kidman was very close with her mother and previously admitted that the woman proved to be a real career inspiration. “She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her,” she said in 2020.
At the time, Kidman expressed gratitude for her mother’s sacrifices and focus on her children, saying, “Mum didn’t necessarily get the career that she wanted, but she was determined that her daughters would have opportunities that were equal.”
It’s unclear how much time Nicole Kidman has been able to spend with her mother recently because the star has been so busy: in addition to filming Babygirl with costar Harris Dickinson, she recently filmed A Family Affair with Zac Efron.
In addition to starring in not one but two different age-gap romance films, Kidman also stars in Netflix’s The Perfect Couple and will be a voice actor in the streamer’s upcoming Spellbound. She even appeared on the small screen in this year’s compelling television drama Expats.
An Unfortunate Tragedy
The death of Nicole Kidman’s mother likely hits particularly hard because her father passed away back in 2014. Collectively, the parents always supported her career, sometimes popping up to watch their daughter receive an award (they saw her snag the first Academy Award for The Hours back in 2003).
At the time of her father’s death, Kidman’s children reminded her that “You’ve still got your mommy,” making her mother’s recent death that much more heartwrenching.
Over the years, Nicole Kidman has brought to life some of our favorite movies, and thanks to all those wonderfully silly AMC commercials, it’s fair to call her the modern face of film.
The star having to miss out on her latest cinematic award is sad and the reason for her absence is downright heartbreaking. Together, we extend our heartfelt support to this talented actor and her entire family during this emotionally traumatic time.
