Nicole Kidman was moved to tears in a moving speech she dedicated to her late mother as she accepted an acting award.
The Australian actress, 57, took to the stage to accept the International Star Award from the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival for her iconic role in Babygirl.
Babygirl, directed by Halina Reijn, premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September, to widespread acclaim including Nicole taking home the Best Actress award.
Unfortunately, the screen star was unable to receive the award in person after she left the festival “heartbroken” following the death of her 84-year-old mother, Janelle.
In her new speech, Nicole told the audience that she was “still sad” for her mother.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say, “This is for my mom,” she said. My entire career has been for my mother and father, who are not here now.
“I will continue to work and give to the world because I love what I do and I love all of you, and I am so grateful for the honor of being part of the film community.”
At this point, she was visibly emotional, adding: “I’m sorry I was crying, I didn’t want to do that.” But I feel like a mom now, so this one’s for you.
The actress has been open about her grieving process from the beginning. When Halina accepted the gun award on her behalf, she read a statement written by Nicole.
It read: “Today, I arrived in Venice to discover shortly after that my brave and beautiful mother, Janelle Anne Kidman, had just died.
“I’m in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her. She shaped me, guided me, and shaped me. I’m so grateful to be able to say her name to all of you through Halina.
“The collision of life and art is heartbreaking. My heart is broken.
In December, she appeared on CBS Sunday Morning where she revealed the last words her mother said to her over the phone.
“The last words my mom said to me, I was getting on the plane, and she said, ‘Maybe wait a minute, because you just need to take care of yourself, Nikki,'” Nicole continued.
The strong and touching feelings remained with Nicole.
I’m doing it more, and I’m telling it to other people in the world. Especially women. I think we tend to not take care of ourselves. “We take care of everyone but the last person is here,” she said.
“My grandmother left me with the words ‘Be happy’ and my mother said ‘Take care of yourself’.”
“I’m an older mother so I want to be there for the long haul for my girls, they are amazing girls and I’m lucky to have them myself so I can take care of them.”
‘I’d like to be here for a long time. Who knows? I can’t choose that.
Promotion for her film with Harris Dickinson is fully underway as we delve into awards season.
She is nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globe Awards alongside her co-stars Kate Winslet and Angelina Jolie.
Nicole has two children with ex-husband Tom Cruise, Bella, 31, and Connor, 29, and two children with Keith Urban, Sunday, 16, and Faith, 13.
The actress recently made a rare red carpet appearance with her Iman.
The duo attended a star-studded industry event together at the end of last year where Nicole gave a speech about mentoring the next generation and was honored with a leadership award.
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