‘Shaped me, guided me’: Nicole Kidman’s award season cut short by death of mother

Nicole Kidman was absent from the debut of her film Babygirl in Venice on Saturday, revealing her mother Janelle Ann Kidman had died.

Nicole Kidman with her mother Janelle Ann Kidman at the 2018 AACTA Award. Picture: James D. Morgan/Getty Images

Nicole Kidman won the Best Actress award in Venice on Saturday for her no-holds-barred performance in “Babygirl”, but was unable to collect it after the unexpected death of her mother.

“I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after that, my beautiful, brave mother, Janelle M Kidman, has just passed,” the actor said in a statement read on her behalf by the film’s Dutch director, Halina Reijn.

Halina Reijn accepts the best actress award on behalf of Nicole Kidman. Picture: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP

“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. I’m beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina.

“The collision of life and art is heartbreaking and my heart is broken.”

The Australian actress did not provide a cause of death. Her mother had previously struggled with suspected heart problems and was hospitalised in 2016.

Janelle Kidman had previously struggled with suspected heart problems. Picture: Instagram

Janelle worked in medicine throughout her career, meeting her husband Antony Kidman during her study of nursing at the University of New South Wales. Going on to teach herself, the couple lived between Sydney, Washington DC and Honolulu through the 1960s and 1970s.

She was a strong political advocate with a membership in the Women’s Electoral Lobby. She protested for an end to the Vietnam War.

She is survived by her ten grandchildren: Nicole’s Isabella Kidman-Cruise, Connor Cruise, Sunday Kidman-Urban and Faith Kidman-Urban, and Antonia’s Lucia Hawley, Hamish Hawley, James Hawley, Nicholas Marron and Alexander Marron.

Nicole Kidman with her mother Janelle Ann Kidman and niece Lucia Hawley. Picture: Instagram

In a 2020 interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Nicole Kidman said her mother inspired her to “carve her own path”.

“Mum didn’t necessarily get the career that she wanted, but she was determined that her daughters would have opportunities that were equal,” she said.

“She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her.”

At the Venice International Film Festival, she was celebrated for her performance as a chief executive in a complex sexual relationship with her younger intern. She had left for Sydney to be with her family by the time the festival was underway.