Nicole Kidman was forced to leave the 81st Venice International Film Festival abruptly after the tragic passing of her mother.
According to reports, the superstar actress was honored with the prestigious Volpi Cup for best actress at the awards for her new movie Babygirl. However, the director of the movie, Halina Reijn, accepted the gong on Kidman’s behalf, before revealing that she had returned home after learning of her mom’s death.
In a statement read by Reijn, Kidman revealed that she had learned about her mom Janelle Ann Kidman’s passing shortly after arriving in Venice that day.
“I’m in shock and I have to go to my family,” the statement said. “But this award is for her. She shaped me, she guided me and she made me.”
The Australia star added, “My heart is broken”, while there were audible gasps from audience members as the statement was read out by Reijn.
According to USA Today, Kidman detailed back in 2022 that her mother was experiencing health issues, sharing that she was in Australia at the time so that she could help take care of her.
Kidman explained that “Because of how close we are,” her mother was “giving me the chance to view the world through an 81-year-old woman’s eyes.”
“That is so beneficial right now because she’s so cognizant,” the 57-year-old went on. “She has every brain faculty available. So she hasn’t lost anything. She hasn’t lost any memory, which is fascinating, and she’s extremely bright. She’s also very direct and very honest.”
Kidman’s parents were both Australian. Her father, a psychologist, died in 2014.
‘Babygirl’ director Halina Reijn accepts the #Venezia81 Best Actress award on behalf of Nicole Kidman, whose mother passed away upon her arrival to Venice pic.twitter.com/ig0Z6VpYC7
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) September 7, 2024
The actress’s mother was 83 at the time of her passing and had appeared alongside her daughter on red carpets over the years.
In her latest flick, the aforementioned Babygirl, Kidman plays a chief executive having an affair with a young intern. The movie was well received at the Venice Film Festival during its world premiere, receiving a seven-minute ovation from the audience.
Kidman was reportedly visibly moved by the positive reaction, while she embraced Reijn after the screening.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Nicole Kidman during these most terrible of times. Rest in peace, Janelle Ann Kidman.