Nicole Kidman: A Bittersweet Triumph Amid Career Highs

Nicole Kidman, awarded Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival for 'Babygirl' and star of Netflix's 'The Perfect Couple', navigates personal grief while thriving professionally. Set to appear in Paramount+'s 'Lioness' and Amazon's 'Scarpetta', she reflects on her mother's passing and her emotional journey.

Nicole Kidman is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in her illustrious career, recently winning the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival for her role in 'Babygirl', directed by Halina Reijn. Her latest Netflix series, 'The Perfect Couple', quickly climbed to the top of the platform's charts.

Kidman's career momentum continues unabated, with an upcoming role in the second season of the Paramount+ series 'Lioness', created by Taylor Sheridan, debuting this Sunday. She is also gearing up to star in Amazon Studios' 'Scarpetta', a film adaptation of Patricia Cornwell's novel, alongside fellow Oscar winners Jamie Lee Curtis and Ariana DeBose.

Despite her professional triumphs, Kidman carries a heavy heart. While walking the red carpet at the Linwood Dunn Theatre in Hollywood, she spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about her recently deceased mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, expressing a longing for her presence during this pivotal moment in her journey.

"I wish my mama was here," Kidman shared emotionally. "Everything is great with work, but I wish my mama was here." Kidman became overwhelmed as she expressed her sadness over the loss of her mother while acknowledging the Volpi Cup award she received at Venice. Through director Halina Reijn, she conveyed her dedication to her mother, stating, "I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you. The collision of life and art is heartbreaking, and my heart is broken."

Kidman openly discussed her ongoing grieving process, saying, "It's been hard. It's a hard road. I'm hanging in there." On a brighter note, she expressed her admiration for collaborating with Taylor Sheridan on 'Lioness', commending his dynamic energy and relentless creativity in managing multiple TV projects, including those within the 'Yellowstone' franchise.

"He is doing everything, and writing projects that are so good -- he never stops. He's bringing so much work to all of us and to the industry, and that's incredible. It's fantastic," Kidman remarked.

(With inputs from agencies.)