Nicole Kidman, the celebrated actress known for her extraordinary range and emotional depth, has opened up about the profound and often heart-wrenching realities she faces as she embraces her 50s. In a candid interview, Kidman shared how her experiences with aging, family, and career have brought her closer to the fragility and beauty of life.
Currently starring in Babygirl, a compelling film that explores the complexities of an older woman’s affair with a younger employee, Kidman has used her art to mirror some of the emotional truths she faces off-screen. Speaking with GQ, the 57-year-old actress offered an intimate glimpse into the deep reflections that occupy her mind during the still hours of the night. She described moments of waking at 3 a.m., overcome by emotions tied to the passage of time, loss, and connection.
“Mortality, connection, life coming and hitting you,” she shared, explaining how these themes feel even more visceral as she grows older. “It’s a wake-up-at-3-a.m.-crying-and-gasping kind of thing. If you’re in it, and not numbing yourself to it… I’m fully in it.”
A Personal Journey Shaped by Family
Kidman’s reflections are deeply rooted in her experiences as a mother and daughter. She shares two children, Bella (31) and Connor (29), with her former husband Tom Cruise, and has two younger daughters, Sunday Rose (16) and Faith Margaret (13), with her current husband, musician Keith Urban. The complexities of raising children at different stages of life have brought her closer to the realities of parenthood and personal growth.
However, her journey has also been marked by grief. Last September, Kidman experienced a devastating loss with the passing of her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, at the age of 84. The loss was profound, leading Kidman to cut short her appearance at the Venice International Film Festival to return to her family in Australia.
In her absence, director Halina Reijn accepted an award on her behalf for her role in Babygirl. Through a heartfelt statement, Kidman honored her mother’s legacy, saying, “Today I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after that my beautiful, brave mother… has just passed. This award is for her. She shaped me, she guided me, and she made me.”
The connection between art and life, she noted, can often feel overwhelming. “The collision of life and art is heartbreaking, and my heart is broken,” Kidman admitted.
Rediscovering Passion Through Art
Despite her personal grief, Kidman has thrown herself into an exceptionally busy year, featuring in a slate of projects including Babygirl, A Family Affair, The Perfect Couple, Expats, and the second season of Nine Perfect Strangers. She revealed to Variety that her packed schedule is driven not only by passion but by a sense of responsibility.
“There are so many opportunities to be of service to the people who are coming up,” she explained. “It’s very hard for me to go, ‘Okay, I’m just going to take care of myself,’ because I’m so much about taking care of other people.”
This sense of purpose stems from her role as a mentor in the industry, where she sees her platform as a means to create opportunities for others. She spoke of her admiration for Halina Reijn, the writer and director of Babygirl, highlighting her desire to support emerging talents.
“I’m thinking, ‘I can create more work for people. I can create jobs for people.’ And also, I love it. I have the passion,” she said. “I’ve just got to take care of my body. I wish I had superpowers because I would love to be everywhere.”
While Kidman’s schedule is undeniably intense, she has also set firm boundaries to ensure her personal life remains a priority. “I go home to be with my family. We do things together. I’m not going out to nightclubs,” she added.
Embracing Vulnerability and Aging
The actress also opened up about how the passage of time has amplified her emotional sensitivity. Now in her late 50s, Kidman finds herself increasingly attuned to life’s fleeting nature. Her roles in films and series often reflect the raw, unfiltered emotions she navigates in her personal life.
Whether portraying a mother grappling with loss, a woman rediscovering herself, or an individual confronting her vulnerabilities, Kidman’s performances resonate because they come from a place of lived experience. “And [the] loss of parents, raising children, marriage… all of the things that go into making you a fully sentient human,” she noted.
The actress has often spoken about her belief in embracing rather than avoiding the challenges that come with aging. Instead of retreating, she dives headfirst into the complexities of life, an approach she attributes to her mother’s influence.
A Commitment to Storytelling
In Babygirl, Kidman’s portrayal of an older woman in a taboo relationship challenges societal norms and underscores her commitment to bold, authentic storytelling. The film’s intimate and daring scenes have sparked discussions about the portrayal of female desire and agency in cinema, further cementing Kidman’s reputation as an artist unafraid to push boundaries.
At the heart of her work lies an unshakable passion for storytelling. “This is what I dreamed of since I was a little girl,” she said. “I love what I do, so I’m just going to give it my all.”
Through her relentless dedication to both her craft and her family, Kidman exemplifies how art and life often intertwine, creating a rich tapestry of human experience. Even as she navigates the challenges of grief and aging, her resilience and passion continue to shine, inspiring audiences worldwide.