NICOLE’S GOLDEN MOMENT
It was a family affair as the actress was honoured for her career
She is one of Australia’s best-known exports and now Nicole Kidman has become the first Aussie to receive the American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award – and her family couldn’t be prouder.
The Moulin Rouge! star stunned in a shimmering gold Balenciaga gown as she accepted the trophy in LA surrounded by her nearest and dearest, including good friends Naomi Watts and Reese Witherspoon.
Also joining Nicole and husband Keith Urban, both 56, were the couple’s daughters, Sunday, 15, and Faith, 13, who looked very grown-up in their red-carpet debut.
The actress was thrilled to share the momentous occasion with her girls, who she acknowledged as “the loves of my life” in her emotional acceptance speech.
Nicole was left teary as Whangaˉrei-born country crooner Keith shared a touching tribute, saying that she showed him “what love in action really looks like” when his drug abuse reached crisis point in 2006.
“Four months into a marriage, I’m in rehab for three months,” Keith said through tears. “Nic pushed through every negative voice – I’m sure even some of her own – and she chose love. And here we are tonight, 18 years later.”
Also cheering on the Oscar winner was Nicole’s sister Antonia Kidman, 53, and her family, who’d flown in from Oz to be by her side at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre.
Antonia’s daughter Sybella Hawley, 17, even joined her cousins on the red carpet.
Notably and sadly absent was Nicole’s mother Janelle, 83, who had to celebrate from her living room back home in Sydney due to ill health.
“My mum is not here, but she’s watching the livestream,” Nicole said. “To be able to do this with my family around me gives it such balance... It’s very grounding.”