Amid the glitz of the Venice Film Festival, tragedy touched the life of Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman.
Nicole Kidman's mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, passed away recently, casting a shadow over her award celebration for her film "Babygirl", Daily Caller reported.
Nicole Kidman secured the Best Actress award for her performance in "Babygirl," but her joy was dampened by her mother's demise. Instead of delivering an acceptance speech herself, the film’s director, Halina Reijn, read a statement by Kidman to the audience.
In the statement read by Halina Reijn, Nicole expressed her shock and urgent need to return to her family. “Today I arrived in Venice, to find out shortly after that my beautiful, brave mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, has just passed,” Kidman’s statement revealed her immediate emotional turmoil.
The 84-year-old Janelle Ann Kidman had already passed away by the time her daughter arrived in Venice for the festival. The specific cause of death was not disclosed.
Kidman's statement, saturated with both grief and homage, clearly articulated the profound influence her mother had on both her personal and professional life. She dedicated the Best Actress award to her late mother, alluding to the powerful impact she had on shaping her career.
Here, director Halina Reijn voiced Kidman’s words: “I’m in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her. She shaped me, she guided me and she made me. I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina.”
Nicole Kidman’s reflections continued to resonate as she related the emotional ordeal of her loss colliding with her professional achievements. She described this confluence as a heartbreaking overlay of her reality onto her artistic expressions.
The actress further elaborated on her mother's influence, emphasizing how it fueled her artistic endeavors. “She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her,” Kidman had mentioned in an earlier conversation with the Sydney Morning Herald.
In the closing moments of the statement, Halina Reijn expressed shared sentiments of support and sympathy on behalf of the festival's attendees: “We love you all, Nicole.” This echoed the communal feeling of sorrow and support that permeated the air following the announcement.
Kidman's history of public appearances with her mother, including at the AACTA Awards in Sydney back in 2018, and her active participation in film events earlier in the year, painted the picture of a vibrant career temporarily dimmed by personal loss.
As the film industry and fans around the world continue to process this news, the actress has returned to her family to grieve and celebrate the life of her mother. This poignant moment at the Venice Film Festival stands as a testament to the significant yet often unseen personal battles faced by public figures.
Nicole Kidman's experience reflects the complex interplay between personal milestones and professional achievements. Her dedication to the Best Actress award to her mother underscores the profound personal motivations behind her cinematic successes, reminding the public of the human aspects behind the celebrity facade.
