Nicole Kidman embarks on a profound personal journey that goes far beyond the glitz and glamor of the screen.
After a period of heartbreaking loss since her mother’s death, the Oscar winner is focusing on a form of specialized care for those at the end of life.
Kidman’s mother passed away in 2024 and the unfortunate situation forced the actress to skip the prestigious Venice Film Festival.
Nicole Kidman pursues a new path as a death doula
During an appearance at the University of San Francisco’s Silk Speaker Series, Kidman shared the surprising news that she was training to become a death doula.
The 58-year-old actress admitted to the audience that while this career move “seems a little weird,” it’s a deeply personal goal born from the heartbreak she experienced following the death of her mother in 2024.
Kidman reflected on how her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, felt alone during her final days at age 84. Despite Kidman and her sister’s efforts, the demands of their large families and high-pressure careers made it difficult to provide the constant presence their mother needed, especially since their father’s death in 2014.
This realization led Kidman to appreciate the role of end-of-life doulas, who provide emotional, spiritual and practical support to ensure dignity during the dying process, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
“So this is part of my expansion and it’s one of the things I’m going to learn,” she said, explaining that this new business was a vital addition to her life and skillset.
Nicole Kidman’s mother tragically died in 2024
The sudden loss of Janelle Ann in September 2024 was the primary catalyst for Kidman’s deep reflection on the end-of-life process.
Although she received the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival for her role in the film “Babygirl”, the actress was forced to skip the prestigious ceremony to be with her family.
In an emotional statement read on his behalf by director Halina Reijn, Kidman expressed her absolute shock and heartbreak upon discovering the news shortly after arriving in Italy, according to The Blast.
In her emotional message to the festival audience, she dedicated her victory to her mother, saying: “She shaped me and made me. She described the “collision between life and art” as heartbreaking, noting that her mother’s influence was the driving force behind her successful career.
Kidman has thought a lot about mortality and grief
The deep grief felt in Venice was only the beginning of a period in which the actress began to engage more deeply with the concept of human existence.
In a candid interview that followed, Kidman explained how entering middle age has made her more sensitive to her own mortality and the weight of life’s emotional depths.
According to The Blast, she admitted that she was no longer trying to numb her feelings, instead choosing to stay “fully in it” as she navigated the complexities of marriage, raising children and the painful loss of her parents.
These raw emotions often manifest in intense physical ways, with Kidman revealing that she sometimes wakes up at 3 a.m., “crying and panting” as the reality of life’s journey hits her.
Romantic speculation has recently surrounded Nicole Kidman and Simon Baker
The intensity of Kidman’s emotional journey was further complicated by the public’s constant scrutiny of her personal life and relationships. Following her recent split from Keith Urban, all eyes were on Kidman at the premiere of her latest TV project.
Dressed in Chanel couture, the actress looked ready, but it was her interactions with co-star Simon Baker that became the main focus of media attention.
According to The Blast, the visible closeness between Kidman and Baker at the premiere quickly fueled speculation about the nature of their relationship, especially given the timing of her split from Urban.
The two seemed surprisingly comfortable and even affectionate while posing together, leading fans to wonder if their bond extended beyond the professional realm. However, despite widespread curiosity and circulating photos, insiders were quick to suggest that the tale may not be as dramatic as it seems.
Keith Urban Reportedly Injured by PDA on the Red Carpet
Although the actress and Baker’s relationship would remain professional, the fallout from their public display of affection reached her former inner circle.
According to The Blast, reports suggest that the close appearance on the red carpet deeply destabilized her ex-husband, Urban, who reportedly felt betrayed by the situation.
Despite being told the affectionate gestures were just promotional, Urban would struggle to deal with the public nature of their bond, leading to significant tension between the former friends.