Rusty confesses ‘YES, I’M IN LOVE WITH NICOLE!’
The Aussie actress has given smitten Rusty a new lease of life
When Russell Crowe learned he would be co-starring with none other than Nicole Kidman in his new movie, no one could wipe the smile off his face.
The NRL super fan is not shy to admit he’s been a long-time admirer of the Australian beauty.
And sure enough, the pair’s spellbinding talent and onscreen chemistry has proved to be a critical success with their new movie Boy Erased tipped to sweep the board at next year’s Academy Awards.
But Woman’s Day’s sources can reveal that it’s Russell’s overwhelming respect and love for 51-year-old Nicole that’s made the film so marvellous.
Tongues are wagging that 54-year-old Russell – who’s known for the odd grumpy episode – has a new lease of life since acting alongside the Hollywood darling.
“Spending time with Nicole again has put a spring in Rusty’s step, and it’s no exaggeration to say he utterly adores her,” spills an insider.
“He is so picky about who he trusts and wants to be with these days, but there’s something about Nicole that makes him feel alive on every level.
“They’ve always been close but that bond has grown, and they’ve been spending a lot of time together on and off the set.
“Their closeness is noticeable, and it’s even got many people joking that they act like a real-life married couple!”
The golden duo play husband and wife in Boy Erased, which also stars fellow Aussies Joel Edgerton and Troye Sivan. And the father to two boys, Charles, 14, and Tennyson, 12, with Aussie actress Danielle Spencer, is not shy admitting he’s always wanted Nicole to be his “wife”.
LONG TIME COMING
“I waited a long time to be married to Nicole,” Russell said while promoting the movie.
“Nicole’s acting is too seamless to describe these days, really. She is so consummate in how she inhabits characters. In the great actors there are always the concurrent contradictions of shyness and showmanship, and acute sensitivity and internal steel. She is brave on behalf of the truth, and that clarity is what makes her so compelling.”
The couple’s deep-rooted relationship and affections go way back when they first became acquainted while mingling in the same Sydney social circles almost four decades ago.
“We didn’t talk until a jam-packed house party in [Sydney’s] Darlinghurst,” Russell revealed. “She was 19, maybe... I say we talked, but I actually don’t think I got more than a word or two out. She’s kind of held me spellbound ever since!”
Nicole - who’s married to country music icon Keith Urban and has two girls, Sunday Rose, 10, and Faith Margaret, seven, with the crooner – has been equally complimentary when sharing the anecdote about the first encounter with her onscreen hubby.
“My memory of Russell is in a place in Darlinghurst at my boyfriend’s house, and Russell came to a party where we invited I think 500 people,” Nicole reveals.
“I attempted to cook paella. And I didn’t cook the rice, so it was crunchy. Not good. Throw it out, bring out the beer.”
Nicole and Russell’s friendship will deepen further as they’ll be practically living in each other’s pockets as they’re expected to travel far and wide to promote their movie, which will be released in November.
“This will give them a chance to spend a ton of quality time together, and there’s no doubt whatsoever Russell’s totally stoked about that,” spills our insider.
“He would never disrespect another guy’s wife by acting inappropriately towards her, and their friendship is more important to him than anything. So it will be great for them to catch up and build on this bond even more.
“Russell’s so grateful to have Nicole in his life as a colleague and a friend. It’s made him feel 20 years younger!”
ALIKE IN SO MANY WAYS
Meanwhile, the actress has invited Russell to visit her home in Nashville and catch up with the love of her life, 50-year-old husband Keith.
“She’d love to prepare Rusty a home-cooked Southern meal,” says our source.
“In many ways they’re so alike – their kids mean the world to them, they live and breathe their work but still find time to enjoy family and the finer things in life.
“At the same time, they’ve got that no-nonsense ethic that’s taken them all the way in their careers.
“It’s a beautiful friendship, and they’re both so grateful for each other.”
‘Russell’s so grateful to have Nicole in his life’