Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Kidman snaps on radio show
Star grilled on husband’s alcoholism, marriage and children
LONDON: In the name of promotion, she’s done countless interviews to publicise her latest, Oscar-tipped film.
So when Nicole Kidman agreed to appear on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, she perhaps was expecting a rather easy ride. But presenter Jenni Murray, it seems, had other ideas.
After quizzing the 49-yearold actress with personal questions, Kidman appeared to snap, prompting listeners to label her “steely” during an increasingly awkward seven-minute interview.
Trouble began when Dame Jenni broached the subject of the star’s husband, Keith Urban, asking about his battle with alcoholism. Seemingly taken aback, the actress said: “God, you guys are personal.”
She added: “I mean, that’s for him to talk about.
“He has always said I can talk about it publicly because he is very much about helping people. Our marriage is an example of working our way through it with an outcome where you can be together, and where he is sober and very happy.”
Undeterred, the 66- yearold broadcaster questioned the actress on her two children, Bella, 24, and Connor, 22, whom she adopted with ex-husband Tom Cruise. She questioned rumours the trio had a “strained relationship’, saying: “How true is that? And if it is, how do you manage it?”
To which, Kidman snapped: “I don’t discuss any of my children in terms of their privacy because it’s their privacy. All I say is there’s unconditional love and it’s that simple.”
When asked by the presenter if her two young daughters with Urban were bossy, she replied: “There is a negative connotation to ‘bossy’. I have two little Alphas, put it that way, great leaders!”
Listeners were surprised at the star’s apparent tetchiness.
One tweeted: “There is a definite steeliness to Nicole”, while another lauded the broadcaster’s approach, posting: “If Nicole K was expecting a ‘puff ’ interview on Woman’s Hour she doesn’t know Jenni.” However, another listener criticised the questioning, saying: “What does her husband’s issues have to do with us?”
Country singer Urban had two stints in rehab before he married Kidman in 2006.
After a relapse early on in their marriage and an intervention from Kidman, he checked himself in again in 2007 and credits his wife as his inspiration. – Daily Mail