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Telling pic resurfaces amid split

What seemed like an intimate red carpet photo has now become a glaring sign that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s marriage might have been destined for trouble.

Carly WrightCarly Wright
September 30, 2025 - 1:23PM
news.com.au
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s public displays of affection were a hallmark of their relationship, captivating audiences worldwide. Picture: Angela Weiss / AFP
1/35Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s public displays of affection were a hallmark of their relationship, captivating audiences worldwide. Picture: Angela Weiss / AFP
From the ARIAs to the Oscars, they were inseparable, often sharing intimate moments on red carpets, stages, and even on Instagram. Picture: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/ AFP
2/35From the ARIAs to the Oscars, they were inseparable, often sharing intimate moments on red carpets, stages, and even on Instagram. Picture: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/ AFP
To the outside world, it appeared they were extremely in love. Picture: Richard Dobson
3/35To the outside world, it appeared they were extremely in love. Picture: Richard Dobson
However, after 19 years of marriage, the PDA days are done. The couple has officially separated, with sources saying they’ve been living apart for several months. Picture: Richard Pelham/Getty Images
4/35However, after 19 years of marriage, the PDA days are done. The couple has officially separated, with sources saying they’ve been living apart for several months. Picture: Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Keith has reportedly been based in Nashville during his world tour. Picture: John Gass
5/35Keith has reportedly been based in Nashville during his world tour. Picture: John Gass
While Nicole has been overseas filming Practical Magic 2 in London. Photo: Supplied
6/35While Nicole has been overseas filming Practical Magic 2 in London. Photo: Supplied
Despite their Instagram-perfect love story, insiders say the couple had been drifting for the better part of a year. Some blame the distance, while others point to the slow build-up of something deeper. Picture: Suzanna Cordeiro/AFP
7/35Despite their Instagram-perfect love story, insiders say the couple had been drifting for the better part of a year. Some blame the distance, while others point to the slow build-up of something deeper. Picture: Suzanna Cordeiro/AFP
Tensions flared publicly in recent months. Urban made headlines in late June when he hung up on an Aussie radio show after the hosts asked about his wife and her co-star Zac Efron. Picture: Christopher Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images
8/35Tensions flared publicly in recent months. Urban made headlines in late June when he hung up on an Aussie radio show after the hosts asked about his wife and her co-star Zac Efron. Picture: Christopher Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images
“What does Keith Urban think when he sees his beautiful wife with beautiful younger men like Zac Efron having these beautiful love scenes on TV and radio?” one host asked before Keith abruptly disconnected. Here Kidman and Efron are pictured at the world premiere after-party for Netflix’s A Family Affair. Picture: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix
9/35“What does Keith Urban think when he sees his beautiful wife with beautiful younger men like Zac Efron having these beautiful love scenes on TV and radio?” one host asked before Keith abruptly disconnected. Here Kidman and Efron are pictured at the world premiere after-party for Netflix’s A Family Affair. Picture: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix
And yet, the PDA - hand-holding, kisses on camera, thigh grabs at afterparties - continued for quite a while. Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP
10/35And yet, the PDA - hand-holding, kisses on camera, thigh grabs at afterparties - continued for quite a while. Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP
Body language experts long flagged cracks in their fairytale image. Nicole’s habit of pulling Keith into her frame and holding her body open toward cameras was often interpreted as her controlling the narrative, while Keith’s frequent leaning suggested a quieter, more passive presence. Picture: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
11/35Body language experts long flagged cracks in their fairytale image. Nicole’s habit of pulling Keith into her frame and holding her body open toward cameras was often interpreted as her controlling the narrative, while Keith’s frequent leaning suggested a quieter, more passive presence. Picture: Arturo Holmes/Getty Images
Some sleuths have applied the Green Line Theory - a viral concept that posits the straighter partner in photos is dominant, while the one leaning is more dependent - to the couple. “You’ll never catch me leanin” commented one fragile man on TikTok. Picture: Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP
12/35Some sleuths have applied the Green Line Theory - a viral concept that posits the straighter partner in photos is dominant, while the one leaning is more dependent - to the couple. “You’ll never catch me leanin” commented one fragile man on TikTok. Picture: Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP
But a few shots of Nicole leaning into Keith could debunk this theory... Another TikToker wrote “If overthinking was a theory.” While a third said this particular red carpet image actually reaffirmed it: “The green line test theory strikes again! Interesting that Nicole is leaning in recent pics when it appears she didn’t want the divorce. Was Keith holding the power?” Picture: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery
13/35But a few shots of Nicole leaning into Keith could debunk this theory... Another TikToker wrote “If overthinking was a theory.” While a third said this particular red carpet image actually reaffirmed it: “The green line test theory strikes again! Interesting that Nicole is leaning in recent pics when it appears she didn’t want the divorce. Was Keith holding the power?” Picture: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery
Could this have foreshadowed an imbalance in the relationship or a battle for dominance? Or is it more likely that when an extremely famous couple is photographed hundreds of times whenever they set foot in public, you’re bound to find a few frames to support any theory? Picture: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld
14/35Could this have foreshadowed an imbalance in the relationship or a battle for dominance? Or is it more likely that when an extremely famous couple is photographed hundreds of times whenever they set foot in public, you’re bound to find a few frames to support any theory? Picture: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld
Nicole frequently said Keith made her feel “safe” and “completely adored”, sentiments she echoed publicly while pressing her face into his shoulder or clutching his hand like a lifeline. But while Kidman posted to her social media celebrating her wedding anniversary to Keith on June 25th, writing ‘Happy Anniversary Baby’, there was no corresponding post from her hubby. Picture: Instagram
15/35Nicole frequently said Keith made her feel “safe” and “completely adored”, sentiments she echoed publicly while pressing her face into his shoulder or clutching his hand like a lifeline. But while Kidman posted to her social media celebrating her wedding anniversary to Keith on June 25th, writing ‘Happy Anniversary Baby’, there was no corresponding post from her hubby. Picture: Instagram
At the 2017 Emmy Awards, Nicole famously kissed Keith mid-interview, showcasing their signature PDA. Picture: JB Lacroix/ WireImage
16/35At the 2017 Emmy Awards, Nicole famously kissed Keith mid-interview, showcasing their signature PDA. Picture: JB Lacroix/ WireImage
Later that evening, the couple also shared a full-minute kiss on the red carpet after Kidman accepted her award for Big Little Lies, leaving on-lookers swooning. Picture: Barry King/Getty Images
17/35Later that evening, the couple also shared a full-minute kiss on the red carpet after Kidman accepted her award for Big Little Lies, leaving on-lookers swooning. Picture: Barry King/Getty Images
By rough estimates, the couple shared dozens, if not hundreds, of public kisses over their nearly two-decade marriage. Picture: Valery Hache/AFP
18/35By rough estimates, the couple shared dozens, if not hundreds, of public kisses over their nearly two-decade marriage. Picture: Valery Hache/AFP
As you can see. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for PCA
19/35As you can see. Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for PCA
.... Again. Picture: Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
20/35.... Again. Picture: Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
...AND AGAIN. Point proven. Picture: Charley Gallay/Getty Images
21/35...AND AGAIN. Point proven. Picture: Charley Gallay/Getty Images
They were rarely pictured just standing next to each other; they clung. Nicole was always nuzzling his neck, Keith was always sneaking forehead kisses. It wasn’t subtle. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty Images
22/35They were rarely pictured just standing next to each other; they clung. Nicole was always nuzzling his neck, Keith was always sneaking forehead kisses. It wasn’t subtle. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Even as recently as May at the 2025 ACM Awards in Texas, they were photographed wrapped around each other backstage. Picture: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
23/35Even as recently as May at the 2025 ACM Awards in Texas, they were photographed wrapped around each other backstage. Picture: John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM
But behind the scenes, friends say Nicole was already struggling to hold things together. Picture: Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images
24/35But behind the scenes, friends say Nicole was already struggling to hold things together. Picture: Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images
Keith, currently touring North America, has been notably solo on the road. Meanwhile, Nicole has wrapped filming and is reportedly spending time in Sydney with her daughters and sister Antonia, leaning on family for support. Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W Magazine
25/35Keith, currently touring North America, has been notably solo on the road. Meanwhile, Nicole has wrapped filming and is reportedly spending time in Sydney with her daughters and sister Antonia, leaning on family for support. Picture: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W Magazine
Sources say she has been “inseparable” from the kids in recent months. “Kidman is holding the family together through this difficult time since Keith has been gone,” a source told Page Six. Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
26/35Sources say she has been “inseparable” from the kids in recent months. “Kidman is holding the family together through this difficult time since Keith has been gone,” a source told Page Six. Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
The shock split has led to the question being raised: Have we been watching love, or a performance of love? Picture: Timothy A. Clary/AFP
27/35The shock split has led to the question being raised: Have we been watching love, or a performance of love? Picture: Timothy A. Clary/AFP
For Nicole and Keith, the PDA was always loud, OTT even. The ending, by contrast, is strangely silent. Picture: Instagram
28/35For Nicole and Keith, the PDA was always loud, OTT even. The ending, by contrast, is strangely silent. Picture: Instagram
It was publicly known that their marriage was not without struggles. Just months after their 2006 wedding, Nicole staged an intervention that prompted Urban to enter rehab for alcohol addiction. Picture: Supplied
29/35It was publicly known that their marriage was not without struggles. Just months after their 2006 wedding, Nicole staged an intervention that prompted Urban to enter rehab for alcohol addiction. Picture: Supplied
“You can’t save somebody, they’ve got to save themselves,” Kidman said on The Jess Cagle Interview in 2016. Picture: Jonathan Ng
30/35“You can’t save somebody, they’ve got to save themselves,” Kidman said on The Jess Cagle Interview in 2016. Picture: Jonathan Ng
“You cannot save a human being, they have to save themselves. But you can love them and give them enormous support and love.” Picture: Christopher Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images
31/35“You cannot save a human being, they have to save themselves. But you can love them and give them enormous support and love.” Picture: Christopher Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images
Urban reflected on those early days at the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award in 2024: “We got married in June 2006, and barely four months into our marriage, the addictions that I had done really nothing about blew our marriage to smithereens.” Picture: Christopher Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images
32/35Urban reflected on those early days at the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award in 2024: “We got married in June 2006, and barely four months into our marriage, the addictions that I had done really nothing about blew our marriage to smithereens.” Picture: Christopher Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty Images
“I went into the Betty Ford Center for three months… Four months into a marriage, and I’m in rehab for three months with no idea what was going to happen to us.” Picture: Instagram
33/35“I went into the Betty Ford Center for three months… Four months into a marriage, and I’m in rehab for three months with no idea what was going to happen to us.” Picture: Instagram
“Nic pushed through every negative voice - I’m sure even some of her own - and she chose love. And here we are tonight 18 years later.” It’s hard to believe it’s now all over. Here newlyweds Nicole and Keith are pictured leaving St Patrick’s College in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Patrick Riviere/Getty Images
34/35“Nic pushed through every negative voice - I’m sure even some of her own - and she chose love. And here we are tonight 18 years later.” It’s hard to believe it’s now all over. Here newlyweds Nicole and Keith are pictured leaving St Patrick’s College in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Patrick Riviere/Getty Images
Neither Kidman nor Urban have publicly commented on their separation, though one source confirmed Keith has acquired his own residence in Nashville, moving out of their family home. Picture: Taylor Hill/Getty Images
35/35Neither Kidman nor Urban have publicly commented on their separation, though one source confirmed Keith has acquired his own residence in Nashville, moving out of their family home. Picture: Taylor Hill/Getty Images
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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/hook-ups-break-ups/telling-pic-resurfaces-amid-split/image-gallery/aecde5917c6669d7e4918df3fdec12ac