Nicole Kidman Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Nicole Kidman delivered an emotional tribute to her late mom Janelle Ann Kidman as she accepted the international star award at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Nicole, 57, accepted the award for her role in Babygirl on Friday, January 3, which was presented to her by Jamie Lee Curtis. In her speech, Kidman thanked Babygirl director Halina Reijn and dedicated the award to her late mother, whom she said she was “still grieving.”
“Thank you for giving me the chance to say, ‘This is for my mom,’” Nicole said in her tearful acceptance speech. “My whole career has been for my mom and my dad, who are not here now. I’m still going to keep working and giving to the world because I love what I do and I love you all, and I’m so grateful for the privilege to be a part of the film community.”
She added, “I’m sorry that I’m crying, I didn’t want to do that. But I feel my mom right now, so this is for you.”
Janelle died in September 2024 at age 84. Nicole had left the Venice Film Festival early on September 7 to return to Australia upon learning of her mother’s passing. At the time, the Big Little Lies alum had been awarded the best actress prize at the film festival for Babygirl. Reijn later read a statement at the festival on Nicole’s behalf confirming the death of her mother.
Nicole Kidman Presley Ann/Getty Images
“Today I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after, that my beautiful, brave mother Janelle Ann Kidman has just passed,” Reijn, 38, read of Nicole’s statement at the time. “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.”
The statement continued, “I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina, the collision of life and art is heart-breaking, and my heart is broken.”
Janelle is survived by daughters Nicole and Antonia, 54.
Janelle’s cause of death was not made public. “The family is heartbroken and asks for privacy at this time,” a spokesperson for Nicole told Us Weekly at the time.
Nicole and Antonia thanked friends and fans for their well wishes in a joint statement shared via Instagram on September 12.
“My sister and I along with our family want to thank you for the outpouring of love and kindness we have felt this week,” their statement read. “Every message we have received from those who loved and admired our Mother has meant more to us than we will ever be able to express. Thank you from our whole family for respecting our privacy as we take care of each other ❤️”
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