Nicole Kidman cries on stage as she dedicates an award to her late mother at the Palm Springs Film Festival
Nicole Kidman broke down in tears on stage as she dedicated her International Star Award to her late mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, at the Palm Springs Film Festival.
The 57-year-old actress was presented with the award by friend Jamie Lee Curtis during the 36th Annual International Film Awards Gala on Friday.
In a clip shared on social networks, Kidman became emotional during her acceptance speech, telling the crowd she was “still grieving” for Janelle, who died in early September 2024. Kidman learned of her mother’s death shortly after her arrival at the Venice Film Festival, where she won best actress for her performance in “Babygirl,” but missed the ceremony to be with her family.
“I want to commit … because I didn’t get to do it at the Venice Film Festival,” Kidman said tearfully. – I arrived in Venice, and it is no longer there.
Nicole Kidman broke down in tears as she dedicated her International Star Award to her late mother Janelle during the Palm Springs Film Festival. (AP/Getty Images)
A native of Australia she recalled asking “Babygirl” director Halina Reijn to accept the prize in Venice on her behalf.
“But now I’m on stage, and I’m back here,” Kidman said as the crowd erupted in applause.
“Thanks for giving me a chance to say, ‘This is for my mom,'” she added, wiping away tears as Curtis reached over and shook her hand.
Kidman said she was “still grieving” during her speech on Friday. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
“My whole career has been for my mom and dad, who are not here now,” Kidman said. “But I still want to keep working and giving back to the world because I love what I do. And I love all of you. And I’m so grateful for the privilege of being a part of the film community.
“Sorry for crying. I didn’t mean to do it, but now I feel my mom. This is for you, mom.”
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Janelle died in September 2024. (Getty)
Kidman’s father, Antony Kidman, died in 2014.
While accepting Kidman’s award in Venice, Reijn shared a statement from the “Moulin Rouge” star announcing her mother’s death.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say, ‘This is for my mom.'”
“I arrived in Venice and found out shortly after that my beautiful, brave mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, had just passed away,” Kidman said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. “I’m in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her. She shaped and created me.”
A rep for Kidman later told Fox News Digital, “The family is heartbroken and requests privacy at this time.”
Kidman said she was dedicating her award to her late mother after she was unable to do so at the Venice Film Festival. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Palm Springs International Film Society)
Kidman also missed the premiere of “Babygirl” at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10.
On September 12, Kidman and her sister, Antonia Kidman, expressed their gratitude for the support they received as they dealt with their mother’s death.
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“My sister and I together with our family want to thank you for the outpouring of love and kindness we felt this week,” they wrote in joint post on Instagram.
“Every message we received from those who loved and admired our Mother meant more to us than we will ever be able to express. Thank you from our entire family for respecting our privacy as we care for each other.”
The actress received rave reviews for her performance in “Babygirl,” an erotic thriller that also stars Antonio Banderas and Harris Dickinson. Kidman also received a nomination for best actress at the Golden Globes, which air Sunday night.
Kidman was also nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Globes. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Kidman stars in the second season of the series Taylor Sheridan Paramount+ series “Lioness,” which debuted in October. She will next appear in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video show “Scarpetta,” based on Patricia Cornwell’s book series of the same name.
Curtis will play Kidman’s sister in “Scarpetta,” and both actresses are executive producing the project.
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At the premiere of “Lioness” on Oct. 23, Kidman reflected on how she feels about her latest wave of career success.
“I wish my mom was here,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “That would be the only thing I would say. Everything is great with work, but I wish my mom was here.
“It was difficult,” she added. “It’s a tough road. I’m holding on.”
