Nicole Kidman has announced that her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, has passed away shortly before she was awarded Best Actress.
The actress was at the Venice Film Festival but departed early to join her family.
Halina Reijn, director of “Babygirl,” read a statement from Kidman explaining the situation.
This statement was intended to be Kidman’s acceptance speech for the Best Actress award for her role in “Babygirl.”
Kidman disclosed in the statement that upon hearing the news, she left the festival to be with her family.
It started: “Today I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after, that my beautiful, brave mother Janelle Ann Kidman, has just passed.”
In her message, the actress dedicated the award to her mother and paid her respects.
Continuing with Kidman’s statement, Reijn said: “I’m in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her. She shaped me, she guided me and she made me.
“I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina. The collision of life and art is heartbreaking, and my heart is broken.”
The statement ended simply: “We love you all, Nicole.”
A representative for Kidman confirmed the news to People, noting that ‘the family is heartbroken and asks for privacy at this time’.
Kidman has often appeared on the red carpet with her mother and has spoken about the significant influence she had on her life.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, the star said: “She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her.
“But she also carved her own path and wanted her daughters to have the same opportunity to carve their own paths.
“Mum didn’t necessarily get the career that she wanted, but she was determined that her daughters would have opportunities that were equal.
“That’s given me my life. And she gave me my life, she and my dad.”
Kidman attended the Venice Film Festival with the film “Babygirl,” which explores the story of a powerful CEO who risks her life and career by having an affair with a younger intern.
Reijn commented on the film, saying: “The affair at the heart of Babygirl allows Romy and Samuel to play out their confusion around power, gender, age, hierarchy, and primal instinct.
“Despite its forbidden nature, the joy of that exploration is liberating, even healing.”