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Nicole Kidman was unable to accept her Best Actress award at the Venice International Film Festival on Saturday due to the sudden passing of her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman.
The acclaimed actress won the festival's prestigious Volpi Cup for her performance in the upcoming film "Babygirl." However, she had to leave Venice abruptly after learning of her mother's death shortly after arriving.
Halina Reijn, the director of "Babygirl," accepted the award on Kidman's behalf and read a heartfelt statement from the actress:
"Today I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after that my beautiful, brave mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, has just passed. 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."
Kidman expressed gratitude for the opportunity to honor her mother through the award, stating, "I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina." She concluded by acknowledging the emotional impact of the moment: "The collision of life and art is heartbreaking, and my heart is broken."
A representative for Kidman confirmed her mother's passing to the press, requesting privacy for the family during this difficult time.
Janelle Ann Kidman played a significant role in shaping Nicole's career and aspirations. In a 2020 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Kidman spoke about her mother's influence: "She's given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I've always wanted to please her... but she also carved her own path and wanted her daughters to have the same opportunity to carve their own paths."
The loss comes during a busy period in Kidman's career. She recently appeared in the Netflix rom-com "A Family Affair" and has several upcoming projects, including "Babygirl," set for a Christmas Day release. Kidman is also starring in the Netflix series "The Perfect Couple," which premiered on September 5
