Nicole Kidman was visibly emotional as she honored her late parents at the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards on Friday.
The 57-year-old actress, who was presented with the International Star Award by Jamie Lee Curtis, shared a moving tribute in a heartfelt speech.
As she stood on stage at the Palm Springs Convention Center, Nicole couldn’t hold back tears while thanking her parents for the resilience, love, and strength they had instilled in her.
A Deep Personal Loss
During her speech, Nicole reflected on the recent loss of her parents and how their passing had shifted her perspective.
“I went home over Christmas.
I’ve lost both my parents, and I’m in that place, like, ok, this is different now,” she said.
“They’ve given me the resilience and the love and the strength to keep moving forward.”
Her mother, Janelle, tragically passed away just hours before Nicole was awarded Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival for her role in Babygirl.
Nicole recalled receiving the heartbreaking news upon her arrival in Venice: “I arrived in Venice and she was gone. I got the call.”
In that moment, she asked her director, Halina Reijn, to read a statement on her behalf.
Honoring Her Legacy
Nicole took a moment to honor her mother as she continued her speech, saying, “Thank you for giving me the chance to say this is for my mom.
My whole career has been for my mom and my dad and they’re not here anymore.”
She acknowledged that her parents’ guidance had shaped the course of her life and career.
As tears welled up in her eyes, she added, “I didn’t want to do that but I feel my mama right now. This is for you, mama.”
Born in Honolulu and raised in Sydney, Nicole was deeply influenced by her parents—her mother Janelle, a strong and loving figure, and her father Antony, a psychologist who passed away in 2014.
Nicole has often spoken about the profound impact her mother had on her career.
Family First, Even in Grief
The emotional impact of Janelle’s passing was so profound that Nicole had to leave the Venice Film Festival early to be with her family in Sydney.
In a statement read by Halina, Nicole expressed her shock and deep sorrow, saying, “I am 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.”
Despite the pain of her loss, Nicole remains eternally grateful for her mother’s influence on her life and career, reflecting, “I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you… the collision of life and art is heart-breaking, and my heart is broken.”
A Lifelong Bond
Nicole and her mother shared an incredibly close relationship, with Janelle playing a significant role in her career and life.
Even in the midst of her busy schedule, Nicole often sought her mother’s advice.
The actress has shared that her mother’s opinions on her fashion were especially important, despite working with a team of professional stylists.
“My mother is still — she’s so involved in what I wear,” Nicole explained in a recent interview.
She further elaborated on how her love for fashion was nurtured by both her mother and grandmother, who were passionate about creating beautiful clothes and passing on those skills to her.
For Nicole, the bond with her family, especially her mother, remains an enduring source of strength, and her tribute at the Palm Springs Awards was a powerful reminder of their lasting impact on her life and career.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn