Nicole Kidman has spoken about the emotional toll of her divorce from Keith Urban, describing the experience as one that left her feeling "very fearful and deeply vulnerable." The actress, who is nominated for her role in "Babygirl," shared in a cover interview with British Vogue that each divorce presents a new challenge.
"Every time!" Kidman stated when asked if heartbreak becomes easier with experience. She described the period after her marriage to Urban officially ended as a time of "free falling" and questioning, "Where am I going? And what’s next?"
Kidman, 59, filed for divorce from the 58-year-old singer in September, citing irreconcilable differences. Their divorce was finalized in January, with Kidman named the primary residential parent of their two daughters. The couple agreed to make major decisions regarding their children jointly and waived spousal support.
Kidman, known for her approach to life and decisions, explained that she tends to lead with her feelings rather than overthinking. "I don’t overthink things and I’m probably not that analytical. I’m far more feeling-centred and I lead with my heart," she said. "I just go, ‘OK, what do I feel here? I’ll give it a go.’ It throws people, because I think they think I’ll be far more measured and I’m not."
She elaborated that while she can approach situations intellectually, her desire is not to be ruled by her head. Kidman emphasized the importance of an "examined life," which involves trying new things, making mistakes, failing, and getting back up. "Staying open, keeping the heart open and the possibilities," she added.
The actress acknowledged that the future felt uncertain. "I didn’t expect this. I had a different view of what my life was going to be, but this is what it is now. You make all these plans and you have all these ideas of what it’s all going to be like and then it’s… not. You have to adjust. You adapt. The future, it’s completely unknown to me right now. Strange."
When asked if the uncertainty was frightening, Kidman admitted, "There was a point where I was very fearful and deeply vulnerable, which is exposing. And then at the same time [I'm] going, 'Well, I can either really not confront it and just curl up, or I can just go forward with an enormous amount of hope.'"
Kidman noted that she knows her character, talent, and identity, suggesting that even mistakes or humiliating moments are part of life. "Take the onus off it," she advised.
However, she clarified that her previous high-profile divorce from Tom Cruise did not prepare her for the emotional landscape of her split from Urban. Kidman was married to Cruise for over a decade, from 1990 to 2001, and they adopted two children. She previously described marrying Cruise at 22 as falling "madly in love" and not being deterred by warnings that it could overshadow her career.
"I wasn’t meant to marry the man I love? Of course, I’ll throw my career away. I don’t care," Kidman recalled her defiant response at the time. "But you have to remember literally, because of who I married at such a young age, I was thrust into it since I was 22."
Kidman and Urban married in 2006 and welcomed two daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret. The actress was seen walking the red carpet at the Golden Globes, where she is nominated for her leading role in "Babygirl."