Nicole Kidman Recalls Mother's Death Before Venice Award

Nicole Kidman recounted a profound moment of grief during a public appearance in Philadelphia on April 18, when she learned of her mother's death while preparing to accept a major award at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024.

Kidman, 58, shared the experience at the HISTORYTalks event hosted by the History Channel, where she described being on the verge of going onstage to receive the Best Actress award for her role as Romy in the film Babygirl. Her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, had died that day at age 84 following a long illness, though no specific cause was disclosed. "I was about to go onstage and I found out my mother had died and I went right back to the room in Venice, got into bed and was completely devastated and thought, I do not know how I'm gonna move forward or function now," Kidman said.

She emphasized her mother's central role in her life, noting that Janelle "was so much a part of my existence." The timing, colliding with professional triumph, left her feeling stranded. Instead of delivering an acceptance speech, Kidman prepared a written statement, which the film's director, Halina Reijn, read on her behalf.

In the hours that followed, Kidman attempted to...