Oh boy, grab your tissues, because this one’s a bit of an emotional rollercoaster! So, Nicole Kidman, a.k.a. the queen of awards season, has been out there being a total superstar. On Saturday (September 7), she scooped up the Best Actress award at the 2024 Venice Film Festival for her role in Babygirl. You know, just casually adding another shiny trophy to her collection, as one does.
BUT WAIT, there’s more. As fate would have it, Nicole couldn’t even show up to the ceremony to give her “I’d like to thank the Academy… wait, wrong award show!” speech. And why? Because her mom, Janelle Ann Kidman, passed away, and it’s safe to say, when life hands you lemons like that, you don’t exactly make lemonade. You book the next flight home.
Let’s rewind a bit. Nicole had been doing her thing, promoting her latest project—a little Netflix series called The Perfect Couple. She was on her whirlwind press tour, charming everyone’s socks off. Then, in true celebrity style, she hopped back to Venice for the film festival, ready to pick up her latest award and dazzle us all in something fabulous. But, in the middle of all that glitz and glam, she got the heartbreaking news that her mom had passed away. Talk about timing, universe!
The award ceremony went on, but Nicole wasn’t there to make her speech. Instead, director Halina Reijn, who clearly deserves an award for friendship, read out Nicole’s statement. And let me tell you, it was as emotional as a Nicholas Sparks movie. Nicole said she was in shock (I mean, who wouldn’t be?) and that this award was for her mom. She credited Janelle for being the reason she is who she is, and honestly, it was one of those “I’m not crying, YOU’RE crying” moments. She also dropped a heart-crushing line about how the collision of life and art can be brutal. Seriously, I think I heard a thousand hearts breaking at once.
Halina wrapped up the whole thing by saying, “We love you, Nicole,” which, honestly, is the only appropriate way to end a speech when Nicole Kidman is involved.
A rep later confirmed the sad news to People magazine, saying the family was asking for privacy. And let’s be real, when Nicole Kidman asks for privacy, we all give her some space. But let’s also remember to send a virtual hug to her because, man, what a tough time.
