THEIR SAD SEPARATION
The fun family time is over as the work schedules clash
For Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, parting last week was much more than sweet sorrow as the couple brace for weeks, perhaps months, apart due to work commitments.
The mum-of-four was seen jetting out of Sydney and heading to LA to film the Lucille Ball biopic Being The Ricardos, while Keith remains Down Under for The Voice.
“Being in Australia together during the pandemic has been bliss for their family,” says a friend. “They never get to spend time all together for long and Nicole absolutely revelled in being so available for her young daughters and Keith.”
There’s no doubt Nicole, 53, was thrilled to spend so much quality time with Keith, also 53, Sunday, 12, and Faith, 10.
While the couple also enjoyed several date nights in Nicole’s home town – from a Japanese meal in Potts Point to a show at the Sydney Opera House – it was also a rare chance to celebrate special occasions with her extended family, such as the safari party she and sister Antonia threw for their mum Janelle’s 81st birthday.
“It’s been wonderful, but unfortunately it’s time to get back to the real world,” adds the friend. “It was extra hard to say goodbye this time. She struggled not to cry and was still messaging Keith as the plane took off! They’ve done all they can to make a
reunion happen next month in Nashville, but the sinking feeling is it won’t happen, so it could be months before they see each other again.”
Friends say the couple hope to reconnect in Nashville in April for the Academy of Country Music Awards, but have been warned anything could happen between now and then with US borders. The awards are unlikely to have a live audience so Keith may not need to uproot the girls from Australia, especially if he can make an appearance from home.
“Nicole and Keith always do their best to not be apart for longer than a couple of weeks to keep their marriage strong, so this could be a real test for them,” adds the friend.
“There won’t be time for too much misery and love sickness because both their work schedules are pretty intense, especially with Keith looking after the girls.
“Nicole starts filming next week so she’s got to put her movie cap back on and focus on getting Lucille Ball right. There’s a lot of pressure on her this time around and she knows there’ll be hell to pay from all those people who moaned about her casting if she doesn’t nail it.
“For now, it’s back to ‘normal’ life and being a virtual parent and partner, but she does find it hard in the evenings without her family around. But they both have everything crossed for Nashville and until then, it’s stolen moments on FaceTime.”
‘There’s a lot of pressure on her this time around’