Tearful Nicole Kidman takes home AFI Life Achievement Award
Renowned Australian actor Nicole Kidman recently received the prestigious AFI Life Achievement Award, recognizing her four-decade-long journey in cinema. The award ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood—a venue where Kidman won an Oscar in 2003 for her role in The Hours. Kidman became emotional for the first time that evening as her husband, singer Keith Urban, expressed, "You showed me what love in action really looks like."
'Four months into our marriage, I'm in rehab': Urban
Kidman's husband, Urban, emotionally recounted how his wife supported him during his struggle with substance abuse that began shortly after their 2006 wedding. "Four months into our marriage, I'm in rehab for three months," he shared, looking at Kidman, who sat on a dais alongside their two daughters. "Nic pushed through every negative voice, I'm sure even some of her own, and she chose love. And here we are 18 years later."
Kidman was previously married to Tom Cruise
Both the actor and the country music star hail from Australia, but their paths didn't intersect until they were adults living on the other side of the world. They first met at a gala in 2005 and felt an instant attraction, leading to their marriage the following year. Before her relationship with Urban, Kidman was married to Tom Cruise for 11 years from 1990 to 2001, during which they adopted a son and a daughter.
Meanwhile, Morgan Freeman humorously reinterpreted Kidman's AMC Theatres ad
The ceremony was filled with light-hearted moments, including one where Morgan Freeman humorously reinterpreted Kidman's AMC Theatres ad, stating, "Nicole Kidman. She makes movies better." Meryl Streep—a co-star from The Hours and a previous recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award—praised Kidman's acting prowess. In a playful tone, Streep acknowledged the challenge of being considered the greatest actor of her generation when competing with someone as talented as Kidman.
Streep believes Kidman's acting is driven by 'love'
Streep further explored what she believes motivates Kidman as an actor, stating, "People call it bravery when an actress bares all and leaps off into the unknown and she dives deep into the darker parts of what it is to be a human being," the actor said. "But I don't think it's bravery. I think it's love. I think she just loves it." Streep and her Big Little Lies co-star Reese Witherspoon both delivered impeccable Australian-accented impressions of Kidman.
Kidman thanked the directors for giving her opportunities
In her acceptance speech, Kidman expressed gratitude toward all the directors she has worked with, including some of the industry's most respected names like Stanley Kubrick, Jane Campion, Baz Luhrmann, Sofia Coppola, and Yorgos Lanthimos. She said, "It is a privilege to make films. And glorious to have made films and television with these storytellers who allowed me to run wild and be free and play all of these unconventional women." "Thank you for making me better."
