Nicole Kidman doesn't really do "safe." You might think a woman with an Oscar, a couple of Emmys, and a career spanning four decades would be looking to coast. Maybe buy a vineyard and do a voiceover once a year. But honestly? She’s doing the exact opposite.
If you’ve caught a recent interview with Nicole Kidman, you’ll notice a shift. She isn't just "working"; she’s dismantling her own image. Whether she’s talking about the "wake up at 3 a.m. crying and gasping" moments of middle age or the raw, often uncomfortable sensuality of her new film Babygirl, Kidman is operating without a safety net.
The Raw Reality of Being "In It"
We tend to put A-list stars in this weird glass box where we assume they don’t feel the grit of real life. Kidman hates that box. In a series of recent, deeply candid conversations, she’s been vocal about the fact that her 50s haven't been some serene plateau.
"Mortality. Connection. Life coming and hitting you," she told GQ recently. It’s heavy stuff. She lost her mother, Janelle, in late 2024, a loss she described as transformative and shattering. Most people in her position would hide. Instead, she’s using that grief as fuel.
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What People Get Wrong About Her Process
There’s this misconception that Kidman is "cold" or "porcelain." That couldn't be further from the truth. When she’s on set, she’s notoriously open—sometimes to a fault.
- She refuses to call "cut" herself.
- She’s been known to get physically sick from roles (like Celeste in Big Little Lies).
- She describes herself as a "Why Not?" girl, someone who chases the vision of a director even if it makes her look "ugly" or "messy."
Why Babygirl Changed Everything
If you want to understand the current state of Nicole Kidman, you have to look at Babygirl. This isn't your standard Hollywood thriller. It’s a provocative look at power dynamics and desire, and Kidman plays a CEO who risks everything for an affair with an intern.
It’s the kind of role that makes people talk—and sometimes judge. But in her chat with W Magazine, she basically shrugged that off. She’s reached a point where she realizes it’s not about her. It’s about being a vessel for a story. She’s willing to be "the one on the floor" if that’s what the scene needs.
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The Keith Urban Split: A Quiet Hurricane
In September 2025, the news broke that Nicole and Keith Urban were divorcing after 19 years. For a couple that seemed like the "gold standard" of celebrity marriages, it was a shock.
But even here, Kidman has handled the narrative with a sort of bruised grace. She’s talked about "moving gently and slowly" through the devastation. In her interview with Harper’s Bazaar, she didn't name-drop the divorce every two seconds for sympathy. She just acknowledged that life doesn't always go the way you planned. It’s a very "it is what it is" vibe, which feels remarkably human.
The "Guide" Phase: Motherhood and Legacy
She’s got four kids, but it’s her younger daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, who are currently navigating the spotlight. Sunday recently started modeling—walking for Dior and Miu Miu—and Kidman admits it’s "frightening."
"Literally walk away from it. Because it will fell you. It will destroy you."
That’s what she tells her daughters about online judgment. It’s a protective, almost fierce stance. She isn't a "stage mom" pushing them toward the cameras; she’s more of a lighthouse trying to warn them about the rocks.
What's Next? (It's A Lot)
Kidman isn't slowing down in 2026. She’s got a massive slate that would exhaust a 20-year-old.
- Practical Magic 2: Reunited with Sandra Bullock. Finally.
- Scarpetta: Playing the iconic Kay Scarpetta alongside Jamie Lee Curtis.
- Margo’s Got Money Troubles: An A24 series with Elle Fanning.
- Big Little Lies Season 3: Yes, it’s officially happening.
It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-risk drama. She’s also co-chairing the 2026 Met Gala. She’s essentially everywhere, but she’s there on her own terms now.
Actionable Insights from Nicole's Playbook
If you're looking for a takeaway from how Kidman lives her life right now, it's pretty simple:
- Own your height (literally and figuratively): She used to slouch to look smaller. Now, at 5'11", she stands straight. Do the same with your own "too much" qualities.
- Don't numb the pain: Whether it's grief or a breakup, Kidman insists you have to feel it to get through it.
- Say "Why Not?": If a project or an idea scares you because it might make you look silly, that’s usually the one you should do.
Kidman is proof that you don't have to become a statue as you get older. You can stay liquid. You can stay messy. You can stay "in it."
To keep up with her latest work, keep an eye on the release dates for Scarpetta on Prime Video and the Practical Magic sequel, which is expected to hit theaters in September 2026.