Nicole Kidman broke down in tears on stage while dedicating her International Star Award to her late mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, at the Palm Springs Film Festival.
The 57-year-old actress received the award from her friend Jamie Lee Curtis at the 36th annual International Film Awards gala on Friday.
In a clip shared on social media, Kidman became emotional during her acceptance speech, telling the crowd that she was “still mourning” Janelle, who died in early September 2024. Kidman learned of her mother’s death shortly after her arrival at the Venice Film Festival, where she won best actress for her performance in “Babygirl,” but missed the ceremony to be with family.
“I want to dedicate myself… because I didn’t have the opportunity to do it at the Venice Film Festival,” Kidman said through tears. “I arrived in Venice and she was gone.”
NICOLE KIDMAN WINS BEST ACTRESS IN VENICE, BUT MISSES CEREMONY DUE TO MOM’S SUDDEN DEATH: ‘I’M IN SHOCK’
Nicole Kidman broke down in tears as she dedicated her international star award to her late mother Janelle at the Palm Springs Film Festival. (AP/Getty Images)
The Australian native recalled that she asked “Babygirl” director Halina Reijn to accept the award in Venice on her behalf.
“But now I’m on stage and I’m back here,” Kidman said to applause from the audience.
“Thank you for giving me the chance to say, ‘This is for my mom,'” she added, wiping away tears as Curtis reached out and shook her hand.
Kidman said she was “still grieving” during her acceptance speech Friday. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
“My whole career has been about my mom and dad, who are not here right now,” Kidman said. “But I still want to keep working and giving to the world because I love what I do. And I love you all. And I’m very grateful to have the privilege of being part of the film community.
“I’m sorry for crying. I didn’t mean to do this, but I feel my mom right now. This is for you, mom.”
DO YOU LIKE WHAT YOU READ? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Janelle died in September 2024. (Getty)
Kidman’s father, Antony Kidman, died in 2014.
While accepting the Kidman Prize in Venice, Reijn shared a statement from the “Moulin Rouge” star in which she announced the death of her mother.
“Thank you for giving me the chance to say, ‘This is for my mom.'”
“I arrived in Venice and found out shortly after that my beautiful and courageous mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, had just passed away,” Kidman said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. “I’m in shock and I have to go and be with my family, but this award is for her. She shaped me and made me.”
A rep for Kidman later told Fox News Digital, “The family is heartbroken and asks for privacy at this time.”
Kidman said she was dedicating her award to her late mother after she was unable to make it to the Venice Film Festival. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for the Palm Springs International Film Society)
Kidman also missed the premiere of “Babygirl” at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10.
On September 12, Kidman and her sister, Antonia Kidman, expressed gratitude for the support they received as they dealt with the death of their mother.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
“My sister, I and our family would like to thank you for the outpouring of love and kindness we have felt this week,” they wrote in a joint Instagram post.
“Every message we received from those who loved and admired our Mother meant more to us than we can ever express. Thank you from our entire family for respecting our privacy while we care for each other of others.”
The actress received rave reviews for her performance in “Babygirl,” an erotic thriller also starring Antonio Banderas and Harris Dickinson. Kidman also received a nomination for best actress at the Golden Globe Awards, which aired Sunday night.
Kidman is also nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Globes. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Kidman stars in the second season of Taylor Sheridan’s Paramount+ series “Lioness,” which debuted in October. She will next appear in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video show “Scarpetta,” based on the book series of the same name by Patricia Cornwell.
Curtis will play Kidman’s sister in “Scarpetta,” and both actresses are producing the project.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
At the Oct. 23 premiere of “Lioness,” Kidman reflected on how she felt about her latest wave of professional success.
“I wish my mom was here,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “That’s the only thing I would say. Everything is fine with work, but I wish my mom was here.
“It was hard,” she added. “It’s a difficult path. I’m hanging in there.”
Fox