Nicole Kidman, who arrived in Italy for the Venice Film Festival, had to abruptly leave soon after landing due to the unexpected passing of her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman.
Kidman, known for her role in The Perfect Couple, was honored with the Best Actress award for her performance in Babygirl at the festival. However, she was unable to attend the ceremony to receive the award in person. Director Halina Reijn stepped in to accept the accolade on Kidman’s behalf.
“I am in shock and need to be with my family, but this award is for her,” Reijn emotionally expressed on stage. “It is an honor to say her name before all of you. The blend of life and art can be deeply painful, and right now, my heart is shattered.”
Brady Corbet, who won the Silver Lion for Best Director shortly after Kidman’s award was announced, took a moment at the beginning of his speech to offer his condolences to Kidman.
In early January 2022, Kidman had opened up about her mother’s declining health, though she did not disclose specific details at the time.
“We’re here mainly to take care of my mother and surround her with her grandchildren,” the Oscar-winning actress shared on NPR’s Fresh Air podcast. “Just yesterday, despite the ongoing [COVID-19 strain] Omicron surge, we were able to take her to a gallery after hours to see the Matisse exhibit. For a mother who nurtured my love for the arts, it was a soothing experience.”
Kidman has often spoken about the profound influence her mother has had on her life and career, describing her as a guiding force who encouraged her to pursue her own path.
“She’s been the driving fire behind my career because I’ve always sought to make her proud,” Kidman told The Sydney Morning Herald in 2020. “Yet, she also paved her own way and wanted her daughters to have the freedom to do the same.”
Kidman continued, “Mum didn’t necessarily achieve the career she dreamed of, but she was determined that her daughters would have equal opportunities. That determination shaped my life. She and my dad gave me everything I have today.”
Kidman’s absence at the Venice Film Festival is a poignant reminder of the personal battles that often unfold behind the scenes of public accolades, as she now grieves a loss that deeply intersects with her journey as an artist and a daughter.
