Keith Urban refuses to talk about his wife Nicole Kidman in uncomfortable interview… after her mother Janelle’s death at 84
Keith Urban spoke out against an interviewer who asked him about his wife Nicole Kidman, following the death of her mother Janelle two weeks ago.
Janelle Kidman died earlier this month at the age of 84. The announcement came just hours before her daughter Nicole, 57, won Best Actress for her role in Babygirl at the Venice Film Festival.
The Australian actress was forced to leave the Venice Film Festival to return to her native country Sydney to be with her family.
Speaking with The Times In a profile published Friday, Keith gave little insight into how his wife and their family were coping with the devastating news.
“Yeah, everybody’s good, man. Thanks for asking,” the 56-year-old told The Times journalist Ed Potton in an article published on Friday.
But the country rocker contradicted the writer, refusing to discuss his mother-in-law’s death or Nicole’s emotional state.
“I just don’t want to give you a headline about my wife Ed,” he continued.
Janelle died just hours before Nicole received the Best Actress award for her role in Babygirl on the final day of the Venice Film Festival.
Keith Urban has shut down an interviewer who asked him about his wife Nicole Kidman following the death of her mother Janelle two weeks ago
“Today I arrived in Venice and shortly after I learned that my beautiful, brave mother Janelle Ann Kidman passed away,” Nicole revealed in a statement read by director Halina Reijn after her win.
“I am in shock and have to go to my family, but this award is for her. She shaped me, guided me and made me.”
“I am beyond grateful to be able to say her name to all of you through Halina, the collision of life and art is heartbreaking, and my heart is broken. We love you all.”
A week later, Nicole broke her silence and posted a heartbreaking statement on Instagram, along with several never-before-seen photos of the matriarch.
In her post, the Perfect Couple star thanked her millions of fans and supporters for showing their condolences during their time of mourning.
Janelle Kidman passed away earlier this month at the age of 84. Pictured with Nicole Kidman in 2018
In an interview with The Times, Keith gave little insight into how his wife and their family were coping with the devastating news in a profile published Friday.
“My sister and I, as well as our family, would like to thank you for all the love and kindness we have felt this week,” Nicole wrote in the joint statement.
“Every message we have received from those who loved and admired our Mother has meant more to us than we can ever express. Thank you from our entire family for respecting our privacy while we care for one another.”
In an interview with the Fresh Air podcast in January 2022, Nicole briefly discussed her mother’s health struggles after temporarily moving back to Sydney to support her.
She made the comments after she said she had taken Janelle to the Art Gallery of New South Wales after hours to view the Matisse: Life & Spirit exhibition, which she described as a “soothing balm” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are here mainly to take care of my mother and let her enjoy her grandchildren,” she said.
“Luckily, despite Omicron sweeping through this country, we were able to take her to the gallery after hours yesterday and show her the Matisse exhibition. And coming from a mother who raised me in the arts, it was a soothing balm. Matisse was a soothing balm last night.”
Janelle died just hours before Nicole received the Best Actress award for her role in Babygirl on the final day of the Venice Film Festival
Nicole has long had a particularly close bond with her beloved mother Janelle and has often spoken about her support and influence on her career over the years.
Nicole was born in Honolulu and raised in Sydney with Janelle and her psychologist father Antony, who passed away in September 2014.
After living in the United States for a time, the Moulin Rouge star and her younger sister Antonia spent much of their childhood in Sydney.
Nicole pursued her passion for acting as a teenager and was supported by her parents as she rose to worldwide fame.
They both remained closely involved in her career over the years, with Nicole recently admitting that she still sought advice from her mother.
Following the news of her mother’s death, Nicole has travelled back to Australia to be with her family, including her sister Antonia. Pictured in April
Nicole Kidman (right) broke her silence a week after announcing the death of her mother, Janelle (center). Pictured with Antonia Kidman (left)
“My sister and I, along with our family, want to thank you for the outpouring of love and kindness we have felt this week,” Nicole wrote in the joint statement
In November, the Big Little Lies star shared how she often asks her mother Janelle for advice on her outfits, despite working with a slew of professional stylists.
In a sign of their close bond, Nicole told People, “My mom is still — she’s so involved in what I wear.”
Nicole is known for her bold fashion choices, but shares how it was her mother and grandmother who sparked her love of clothes.
“I love fashion. I’ve always loved fashion,” she enthused while speaking at the launch of Planet Omega pop-up in New York.
“I grew up as a little girl with a grandmother who loved fashion and could sew, and my mother too. They loved beautiful clothes. They could make beautiful clothes,” she continued.
“I’ve seen them sewing, embroidering, knitting, crocheting. And I think when you grow up and see people in your household doing that, you love it.”
Nicole has never been shy about expressing her affection for Janelle, paying a touching tribute on her mother’s 82nd birthday last year.
She posted a photo gallery on Instagram of herself and her family celebrating with Janelle, captioning it with some sweet words.
“Congratulations, Mom. You are so loved by all of us,” Nicole wrote.
She also took the time to wish her mother a happy birthday when she walked the red carpet at the Oscars in Los Angeles with her husband Keith Urban.
“Today is my mom’s birthday. Happy birthday, Mom. We love you so much,” Nicole said to the camera.
“We had a party for her when we got back to Sydney. She’s the heartbeat of our family, so we love you, Mum.”
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald In May 2020, Nicole also shared that she missed her mother when she lived in the United States.
Nicole had an equally close bond with her father Antony and was devastated when he died of a heart attack in September 2014 at the age of 75 (they are pictured in 2005)
“I would love to have a cup of tea with my mom and sit on the balcony and talk about life while she tells me what to do,” she said at the time.
Nicole also had a close bond with her father Antony and was devastated when he died of a heart attack in September 2014 at the age of 75.
The Oscar-winning actress previously admitted that the “sudden” death of her father, and a series of other losses, had affected her deeply.
“I’ve had death come to me very suddenly. I haven’t helped anyone through a slow death, I’ve just had people taken away,” she told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2020.
‘I’ve been through it before, I’m almost scared to say it because I’m terrified it will happen again. I’m still very scared of it.’
The Oscar-winning actress previously revealed that the “sudden” death of her father, as well as a series of other losses, had affected her deeply. Pictured (L-R) Antony Kidman, Nicole Kidman and Janelle Kidman in 2003