Nicole Kidman had an emotional start to the new year after breaking down in tears at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival on Friday night. The 57-year-old actress was accepting the prestigious International Star Award for her performance in the film Babygirl when she dedicated her win to her late mother, Janelle Ann Kidman. This tribute came just months after her mother's passing, which continues to weigh heavily on Kidman's heart.
During the ceremony, Kidman was visibly moved as she spoke, unable to hold back the tears. She acknowledged her grief, stating, "Thank you for giving me the chance to say, 'This is for my mom.'" The moment drew applause and support from the star-studded audience, showcasing the deep connections within the film community. Kidman expressed, "My whole career has been for my mom and my dad, who are not here now."
Reflecting on her parents, she shared, "I've lost both my parents, and I'm in this place of, like, oh, ah, OK, this is different now. They've been the source of my resilience, love, and strength to keep moving forward." This acknowledgment of personal loss highlights the challenges she faces even as she celebrates her professional accomplishments.
Kidman gave heartfelt thanks to Babygirl filmmaker Halina Reijn for believing in her talent and casting her for the role, which she described as transformative. "I want to keep working and giving to the world because I love what I do and I love you all," she added, emphasizing her commitment to her craft even amid personal grief.
The Palm Springs International Film Festival ceremony included moving speeches, particularly one from Jamie Lee Curtis, who presented the award. Curtis celebrated Kidman as not just the talented actress she is but as someone deeply loved. "Nicole Kidman was loved. It’s very clear mostly by her beautiful mother Janelle who she sadly lost earlier this year," Curtis remarked, underscoring the support Kidman has from her family and friends.
The emotional atmosphere deepened as Kidman reminisced about her absence from the Venice Film Festival last September, where she was set to receive the Best Actress award for the same role. At the time, she was grappling with her mother's unexpected death, which she shared with the audience who had gathered to support her. "I arrived in Venice and she was gone. I got the call,” Kidman recalled, sharing how she was too distraught to accept the award as she felt compelled to be with her family.
At Venice, her director, Reijn, accepted the award on her behalf, reading Kidman’s heartbreaking statement: "I’m in shock, and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her. I am beyond grateful to be able to say her name to all of you." Kidman expressed her overwhelming sorrow with words of gratitude, calling it "the collision of life and art," and underscored her mother’s influence on both her personal growth and her film career.
The event at Palm Springs offered Kidman the opportunity to publicly honor her late mother, which she had not been able to do before. “Now I’m on stage, and I’m back here. Thank you for giving me the chance to say this is for my mom. I’m sorry I’m crying; I didn’t want to do this, but I feel my mama right now. This is for you, mama," she said, taking the moment to connect her career achievements directly back to her family.
Beyond her personal revelations, Curtis also highlighted how Kidman's life is rooted deeply in love. "The center of Nicole Kidman is love. Love is her secret sauce. It’s the center of it all,” Curtis praised, emphasizing how Kidman’s affection for family, art, and community drives her every endeavor. Curtis remarked on the fond memories shared with Kidman and her husband, Keith Urban, portraying her as more than just a superstar but as someone whose essence is grounded in human connections.
The Palm Springs Film Awards are traditionally the launch of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, drawing many famous faces from the industry. This year, alongside Kidman's accolades, other notable winners included Adrien Brody, Timothee Chalamet, Kieran Culkin, and Ariana Grande, all celebrated for their contributions to film and performance.
Kidman's heartfelt moments resonate beyond the awards. They reflect the broader human experience of loss, love, and dedication—showing how even as she gains accolades, the void left by her mother is something she will always carry with her. “We love you all,” she concluded, leaving behind words of gratitude and the promise to continue sharing her gift with the world, inspired by the enduring legacy of those she has lost.