Nicole Kidman accepts the International Star Award from Jamie-Lee Curtis during the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards. Photo / Getty Images
Nicole Kidman accepts the International Star Award from Jamie-Lee Curtis during the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards. Photo / Getty Images
The Oscar-winning actor and Babygirl star has been candid about her family in recent weeks, discussing the secret to her successful marriage and sharing her ongoing grief for her late mother.
The Australian actor, 57, was presented with an International Star Award by Jamie-Lee Curtis, who held Kidman’s hand tightly as she dedicated the win to her mother, who died aged 84 in September.
In footage obtained by TMZ, Kidman was visibly moved as she paid tribute to her late parents Janelle Ann Kidman and Antony Kidman, acknowledging the “resilience”, “love” and “strength” they gave her.
“I’m still grieving my mum … because I didn’t get to do it at the Venice Film Festival," Kidman declared to the audience.
Nicole Kidman (right) accepts the International Star Award from Jamie-Lee Curtis (left) on stage during the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards at the Palm Springs Convention Centre on January 3, 2025 in Palm Springs, California. Photo / Getty Images
The actress made headlines in early September for leaving the festival early upon learning of her mother’s death. Halina Reijn, the director of Kidman’s latest project, the erotic thriller Babygirl, accepted the Volpi Cup for Best Actress on her behalf.
“Thank you for giving me the chance to say, ‘This is for my mum’,” she continued.
“My whole career has been for my mum and my dad, and they’re not here now, but I still want to keep working and giving to the world because I love what I do and I love you all, and I’m so grateful for the privilege to be a part of this film community.
“I’m sorry I’m crying. I didn’t want to do that, but I feel my mama right now. This is for you, mama.”
She received the award for her performance in Babygirl, which is set to be released in New Zealand cinemas on January 30.
Nicole Kidman accepts the International Star Award on stage during the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards at the Palm Springs Convention Centre on January 3, 2025 in Palm Springs, California. Photo / Getty Images
Kidman’s heartfelt tribute to her mother follows a candid interview with W Magazine, in which the actress reminisced on Janelle’s favourite movies in her catalogue and her “tough” critique.
“The more love and the more intimacy and closeness you have with a person, the more it’s going to hurt losing them. But I’ll take the pain,” she told writer Lynn Hirschberg in the profile, which was published on Saturday.
“She loved Rabbit Hole. She loved The Paperboy. She never saw Babygirl. She loved The Hours. She was tough, though, in her criticism. So I’m used to that, which is quite good."
The 57-year-old also addressed commentary regarding her performance in Babygirl, which follows high-powered CEO Romy Mathis (Kidman) as she risks her high-flying career and marriage by embarking on a steamy affair with a much younger intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson).
Kidman’s performance has been widely applauded, with many hailing her bravery for taking on the character. However, she told W Magazine the role “didn’t scare” her, noting the sex scenes were “existential” in nature.
However, following its debut at the festival last year, Kidman admitted she was “frightened” for people to see the sexually charged flick.
“This definitely leaves me exposed and vulnerable and frightened, and all of those things when it’s given to the world,” Kidman admitted at a press conference in Venice in late August.
“Right now, we’re all a bit nervous – so I’m like, ‘I hope my hands aren’t shaking’ – but at the same time, I’m really proud to be at a festival like this, and to be forging ahead with films that are still being made, and particularly with women at the helm.”
At the time of writing, Babygirl holds a 77% rating on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on the reviews of 167 critics.
