Nicole Kidman unable to accept Venice acting award in person due to death of her mother: ‘My heart is broken’

Nicole Kidman unable to accept Venice acting award in person due to death of her mother: ‘My heart is broken’

Nicole Kidman won the Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday night for her role in “Babygirl,” but was unable to attend to accept the award due to bad news.

After Kidman’s name was announced, “Babygirl” director Halina Reijn took the stage and gave a written speech in Kidman’s place. She revealed that the actor had traveled to Venice to attend the ceremony, but had to leave due to news of her mother’s death.

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“Today I arrived in Venice to find out that my brave and beautiful mother, Janelle Anne Kidman, had just passed away,” Kidman wrote. “I am in shock and need to get home to my family, but this award is for her.”

The statement continued: “She shaped me, she guided me, and she 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. My heart is broken.”

Kidman’s mother was a nursing teacher and a member of the Women’s Electoral Lobby, an Australian feminist group.

Kidman was one of the big winners in the acting category at the Venice Film Festival awards on Saturday night, alongside Vincent Lindon, who won best actor for “The Quiet Son,” and Paul Kircher, whose performance in “And Their Children After Them” earned him the best young actor award.

Pedro Almodóvar won the night’s most prestigious award, the Golden Lion for best film, for his “The Room Next Door” starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. Elsewhere, Brady Corbet won the Silver Lion for best director for “The Brutalist.”

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