Nicole Kidman’s life has been full of success and personal sacrifice. As a teenager, she cared for her mother, but she missed some important moments in her family’s life. This shows a different side of her story.
While she is known for her amazing performances and is one of Hollywood’s top actresses, Nicole Kidman recently experienced a deep personal loss.
On September 7, 2024, Nicole Kidman won the Best Actress award at the 81st Venice Film Festival for her role in the film “Babygirl.” However, the excitement of this big win was overshadowed by tragic news that made her leave Venice just as the ceremony was starting.
Nicole Kidman missed a major award ceremony after experiencing a devastating loss.
She had traveled to Venice for the awards, but the sudden death of her beloved mother, Janelle Anne Kidman, meant she couldn’t stay to accept the award in person. Instead, the film’s director, Halina Reijn, took the stage to deliver Nicole’s remarks, reading from a statement she had prepared.
Nicole Kidman shared her grief with the audience, saying, “Today, I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after that my brave and beautiful mother, Janelle Anne Kidman, had just passed. I’m in shock and need to be with my family, but this award is for her.” Her heartfelt words touched many, revealing the deep impact her mother had on her life.
In her emotional statement, Nicole Kidman spoke about the deep impact her mother had on her life, saying, “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. The collision of life and art is heartbreaking. My heart is broken.” Her words captured the bittersweet nature of experiencing a professional triumph amid personal tragedy.
Janelle Kidman, 84, was a nursing instructor and a devoted member of the Women’s Electoral Lobby, an Australian feminist group. Her dedication to her work and her strong influence on Nicole’s values and worldview were evident throughout the actress’s life.
Nicole Kidman’s bond with her mother grew even stronger through years of personal caregiving. At just 17, Nicole took a break from her rising acting career to care for Janelle during a crucial period in her life.
The Golden Globe winner even took a massage course to help with her mother’s rehabilitation, showing just how dedicated she was to her family.
Growing up, Nicole Kidman saw her mother face serious health challenges, which deeply affected her. As she grew older, Nicole became more involved in raising awareness for women’s health issues, using her own experiences and pain to support advocacy efforts.
Nicole Kidman once spoke about how watching her mother battle breast cancer as a teenager had a profound impact on her. She said, “I have seen my mother go through it. I think that has had an effect on me. I was in my late teens, and that experience has left a mark on me in a way I will never forget,” during a breast cancer awareness campaign.
Janelle’s health journey had a significant impact on the entire family, leading Nicole to maintain a constant sense of vigilance into her adulthood. Nicole explained, “With my mother, it’s every year. Once it has affected your life, you stay vigilant. You have to keep getting checked, and eventually, your whole family is affected by it.”
Nicole’s deep connection with her mother was clear in all aspects of her life. Their bond went beyond shared experiences to include the sacrifices Nicole made, many of which often went unnoticed. This profound relationship is why Nicole missed celebrating her mother’s birthday and Mother’s Day.
Despite her busy schedule, the 57-year-old star always made her family a priority, especially during tough times. In 2020, the global pandemic created an unprecedented separation, making Nicole and many others yearn for the comfort and closeness of family.
As the world went into lockdown, the “Moulin Rouge” star couldn’t visit her mother in Australia, which was especially difficult during important family moments like Mother’s Day and Janelle’s 80th birthday.
Nicole expressed her deep longing by saying, “I would love to be able to have a cup of tea with mum, sit on the balcony, talk about life, and have her tell me what I should be doing.”
The distance was painful for Nicole, as she missed these precious moments with her mother. Reflecting on the lockdown challenges, she said, “It was gut-wrenching. At least we had FaceTime and technology, which was a saving grace. But not having that physical connection has been really hard for our family.”
Even during these challenging times, the “Far and Away” star found comfort in small connections through technology. She frequently FaceTimed her mother, who, although initially hesitant about video calls, eventually embraced them.
Nicole fondly remembered helping her mom find the best angles for video calls and laughed about Janelle’s resistance to Zoom. “She’s like, ‘No, no Zoom,’” Nicole joked, reflecting on the light-hearted moments that helped them stay close despite the distance.
The bond between Nicole and her mother was deeply rooted in both family ties and shared passions. Janelle played a crucial role in shaping Nicole’s ambitions, always encouraging her and her sister, Antonia Kidman, to follow their own paths. Nicole shared, “She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her.”
Janelle’s influence went beyond words, motivating Nicole to excel and ensuring that her daughters had opportunities she herself did not. Nicole noted, “Mum didn’t necessarily get the career she wanted, but she was determined that her daughters would have equal opportunities. That’s given me my life. She and my dad gave me my life.”
When Janelle’s health declined in early 2022, Nicole immediately returned to Australia to be with her. Despite the ongoing pandemic, Nicole made sure her mother was surrounded by love and the people who mattered most, including her grandchildren.
Reflecting on this period, the “Aquaman” star shared a special memory: “We were able to take her into the gallery after hours and show her the Matisse exhibit. For a mother who raised me with a love for the arts, it was very, very soothing and comforting.”
Nicole emphasized how her mother’s passion for fashion greatly influenced her own style, saying, “And my mother is still—she’s so involved in what I wear.” Janelle’s keen eye for detail and style remained a guiding force, with her continuing to help with Nicole’s wardrobe choices almost until the end.
Throughout her life, Janelle was more than just a mother to Nicole; she was a source of inspiration, a confidante, and a constant presence who played a crucial role in shaping the person Nicole became.
Despite the physical distance and the challenges it brought, Nicole Kidman’s bond with her mother never wavered. Their relationship, marked by moments of shared laughter and quiet support, stands as a testament to the enduring power of family.
My daughter-in-law brought my car back completely wrecked after visiting a friend – she refused to cover the repair costs, so I decided to teach her a lesson
“I’m fine, thanks,” I smiled, totally mesmerized by my son’s choice. “You look wonderful, Layla!”
At that moment, I had no clue how this woman would soon come into our lives and pull my son away from me. She seemed so nice; I never would have guessed just how cunning she really was.
Toby and Layla tied the knot just six months after our first meeting. I was so happy for my son as he started a new chapter of his life, and my heart was full of good wishes for him. I remember how I couldn’t stop weeping when my boy said his vows like a grown-up man.
Not long after the wedding, Toby and Layla invited me over to their place for lunch. I thought it would be a nice bonding session with my daughter-in-law since it was just the three of us, but it was anything but that.
Toby had asked me to be there at 2 p.m., but I arrived about 10 minutes late, and Layla took that as an opportunity to create a scene.
“Why are you so late, Jennifer?” she asked as soon as I stepped inside the house. I couldn’t see Toby anywhere near the entrance. “I’ve been waiting for you for so long!”
“I… I got late because of the traffic,” I stammered, taken aback by the unexpected confrontation.
“I don’t like hosting people who can’t value my time,” she muttered.
“I’m sorry for that, Layla,” I apologized. “But it was just 10 minutes.”
“I don’t care if it was 10 minutes or 10 hours,” she shot me an angry look. “You need to be on time when you come to my place, underst—”
“Oh, Mom! You’re here!” Toby interrupted. “How are you, my lovely lady?”
“I’m fine, Toby,” I said, hugging him, still reeling from Layla’s behavior. “How are you, my love? Looks like you haven’t been eating well.”
“Nah, I’m good, Mom,” he smiled. “What were you guys talking about?”
“Your wife was say—”
“Nothing, babe,” Layla cut me off. “I was just telling her how beautiful she looks today.”
“Yeah?” Toby’s gaze shifted from his wife to me. “My mom always looks the best!”
At that point, I was stunned by Layla’s behavior. Why was she being so sweet to me in front of Toby? And why didn’t she let me tell him what she had said earlier?
I spent the rest of the afternoon at their house, observing how Layla effortlessly switched on her sweet personality whenever Toby was around. But when he wasn’t looking, she’d throw mean remarks to make me feel unwelcome.
That day marked the beginning of my strained relationship with my daughter-in-law.
Then, one day, I noticed how Toby began taking her side whenever Layla and I argued in front of him.
“Layla’s right, Mom,” Toby said one day when we were at a restaurant deciding what to order for dinner. “We don’t need a large bowl of salad. It’s just the three of us. We’ll manage with a small bowl.”
“See, I’ve been telling your mother to order the small bowl, but she never listens to me,” Layla chuckled. “I don’t know why she never trusts me.”
She played the victim in front of him, and my poor boy always fell for it. I don’t blame him; he had seen his father always side with me. But I wasn’t like Layla. I wasn’t pretending to be a good daughter-in-law in front of my husband.
Layla’s behavior toward me didn’t change until the day she called me. I was genuinely surprised to see her name on my phone screen.
“Hi, Jen!” she chirped through the phone.
Jen? I thought. That’s weird.
“Hi, Layla,” I played along, trying to sound as sweet as possible. “How are you?”
“I’m good,” she said. “I was wondering if I could borrow your car tomorrow. Would that be okay with you?”
“My car?” I asked.
“Yeah,” she sighed. “Actually, I was supposed to visit my friend today. She lives a few hours away, but I couldn’t go because my car broke down. The mechanic says it’ll take a few days before he can fix it.”
“Oh, my! Sounds like there’s a major problem,” I said, genuinely concerned.
“I was so upset, but then Toby suggested I ask if you could lend me your car for a day,” she continued. “I’ll be back in a week.”
A week? I thought. That’s a lot.
But I felt bad for her. She sounded desperate, and she mentioned Toby had suggested it, so I didn’t want to let her down. I also saw it as a chance to mend our relationship.
“Sure, I don’t mind,” I said. “You can come over today if you want.”
And that was one of the biggest mistakes of my life.
A week later, Layla and Toby returned my car, but I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it. It was covered in scratches, dents, and dust. And the inside? It smelled like rotten onions!
“What have you done to my car?” I spat out. “What happened?”
“Excuse me?” she said, squinting her eyes as if I’d said something outrageous. “What did I do to your car? It was like this when I picked it up the other day.”
“Stop it, Layla!” I yelled at her. “Stop lying.”
“You think I’m lying?” she snapped, turning to Toby. “Babe, look at her! She’s accusing me of lying! How dare she?”
“Mom, Layla’s right,” Toby said. “She told me your car was like this when she picked it up the other day. She’s not lying.”
“Toby? Are you serious?” I stared at him in shock, realizing there was no point in arguing with them.
I had no proof, and neither did she. But Toby sided with her because he was so blindly in love with her.
I realized that arguing might even push my son away, so I decided to teach Layla a lesson instead. I spent the night researching online and stumbled across an incredible idea. A quick call to the nearby pet shop, and my plan was in motion.
The next night, I drove over to their place armed with animal attractant sprays. I carefully sprayed them all over their backyard, driveway, and front porch, making sure to stay out of sight.
With the lights off, I knew they were asleep. I quickly executed my plan and quietly drove away, feeling a mix of nerves and satisfaction.
I was certain this would teach Layla not to mess with me again.
The next morning, I woke up to my phone ringing. It was Toby.
“Mom, I need help!” he cried over the phone.
“What happened, honey?” I asked, feigning ignorance. “Are you okay?”
“We just woke up, and it’s awful here! The yard stinks, and wild animals have turned our place into a toilet! The whole house smells horrible, and we don’t know what to do!”
I secretly smirked, listening to him rant about the mess. The irony was delicious.
“Oh, my!” I pretended to be surprised. “That sounds horrible. I guess that’s what happens when you ruin someone else’s property.”
I don’t know if Toby caught my meaning, but I’m sure his clever wife knew those animals didn’t show up by chance. She had to know it was me, her oh-so-nice mother-in-law, who never fought back before.
Since that day, Layla hasn’t dared to mess with me. We met at a dinner once, and she didn’t try to be rude or complain about me wasting her time. Meanwhile, Toby started calling me regularly, checking in to see how I was doing.
I guess my dear husband Nathan was right after all. My son did need me to pull him out of the trance Layla had drawn him into. He needed me to stand up for myself and set a boundary his wife wouldn’t dare cross again.
What would you have done if you were in my place?
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