Saturday Nicole Kidman experienced one of the most bittersweet moments of her life. She was awarded the best actress for her role in “Babygirl” at the Venice Film Festival, but had to miss the ceremony when she was informed that her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, had died.
At the ceremony, the news of her mother’s death was delivered by the film’s director Halina Reijn.
“I arrived in Venice and found out shortly after that my beautiful, brave mother, Janelle Ann Kidman has just passed,” Kidman said in a statement, per The Associated Press. “I’m in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her. She shaped me and made me.”
The Venice Film Festival, known for its celebration of cinematic excellence, became an occasion for a moment of reflection as the festival’s attendees and participants paused to acknowledge the somber event amid the fanfare of artistic achievements and celebration.
Nicole Kidman’s career has been marked by her exceptional talent and dedication to her craft. Her performances have captivated audiences, and her grace in handling personal troubles has earned her respect and admiration.
The loss was particularly devastating as Nicole has always been very close to her mother. During an interview with NPR’s Fresh Air podcast in 2022, Kidman said, “I’m at the place where I’m being given the chance to view the world, because of how close we are, my mom is giving me the chance to view the world through an 81-year-old woman’s eyes. That is so beneficial right now, because she’s so cognisant. She has every brain faculty available, so she hasn’t lost anything. She hasn’t lost any memory, which is fascinating, and she’s extremely bright.”
In a 2020 interview with the Sydney Morning Herald she acknowledged her mother’s role in her success: “She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her,” Kidman told the outlet in 2020. Paying tribute to her mother’s independence and tenacity, she added, “But she also carved her own path and wanted her daughters to have the same opportunity to carve their own paths.”
