NICOLE MOVES TO LONDON TO SAVE ISABELLA FROM SCIENTOLOGY
Feeling ever anxious about her movie career and the effect Scientology is having on her adopted children, Nicole Kidman’s plotting a controversial move to London in a bid to save Isabella and Connor.
For a decade now, the 51-year-old has hankered after a property in Belgravia, one of London’s most exclusive suburbs. In fact, the Oscarwinner was close to buying the mews terrace until she became pregnant with her daughter Sunday Rose. But now that the swish pad is back on the market, Nicole thinks it could act as the perfect bolthole for her and her family. It’s only a mile from two Scientology branches, where Bella is now working part-time.
With four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a “super basement” with a cinema room, gym, bar and study, the London mansion would also make the perfect holiday home for Nicole, husband Keith Urban, 50, and their two children, Sunday, 10, and Faith, 7.
Currently on the market for a staggering £9.15 million ($17 million), the property is situated on Grosvenor Crescent Mews, a gated private estate that’s impossible to be invaded by paparazzi.
Developer Alex Waxman, who designed the stunning townhouse, said at the time of Nicole’s original interest: “I got a call from a property finder asking if I’d meet one of his clients at the Lanesborough Hotel to discuss my house. I had a riding lesson that afternoon, so I tipped up at the hotel at 7.30pm wearing my jodhpurs, and was taken to the seventh floor where, unbeknown to me, Nicole Kidman was waiting.”
The meeting was successful, but the sale fell through, says Waxman, because “she got pregnant, so it wasn’t suitable for her any more”.
But now the property has been extended and includes two more bedrooms, suitable for Nicole and her family.
Moving to London could be just what Nicole needs to repair her relationships with her adopted children. In 2015, the Big Little Lies star was living in the English capital while starring in a play, Photograph 51, and it was reported at the time that she was ignored by Bella, who had just married computer programmer Max Parker.
Due to a change in Scientology policy, Bella, 25, is now more entrenched in the church than ever, as is her brother Connor, 23, who was recently forced to live in Scientology accommodation at the HQ in Clearwater, Florida, so he can be watched over by father Tom.
According to sources, Bella is now working at the Scientology London headquarters. She has been spotted standing outside the branch on Tottenham Court Road as other Scientologists hand out fliers on “Dianetics” which Scientologists believe is the “modern science of mental health” and can help with anxiety and self-confidence.
In a recent interview with New Idea, former Scientologist Katrina Reyes revealed her mother, Yelena, would be watching over Connor, who is said to have been “made an example of ” for hanging out with non-scientologists and partying too much. She also claimed that there’s been a change for all rich celebrity offspring within the church.
“They [never] used to put much pressure on the public Scientology kids, but they need to make money and need people to join the Sea Org, so second- and third-generation members are getting the flak and [being] told they need to get their s--t together.”
For Nicole, a move would certainly be a welcome respite from being isolated in Nashville, now that she seems to be more insecure about her movie future. The usually unflappable actress has been more demanding on set and is looking anxiously over her shoulder at her A-list rivals.
During a recent magazine interview, she only agreed to be featured if she had a list of the names appearing in the publication and could veto any she didn’t like, especially the cover star.
Nicole’s always had a great affinity with London after starring in the West End play The Blue Room 20 years ago. Last year at the Glamour magazine awards, she told the audience: “I’m so happy I’m here, in person, to give love back to London because London has given me so much. It is great to be standing here with you.”