Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s marriage has officially come to an end, following long-simmering tensions and public signs that the relationship was strained. The “Big Little Lies” actress filed for divorce on Tuesday, citing “irreconcilable differences” and noting “marital difficulties” in court documents obtained by Fox News Digital. Along with the divorce filing, Kidman requested to be named the primary residential parent of their two minor children, proposing a parenting plan that grants her 306 days per year with the girls and only 59 days per year to Urban. The news confirms speculation surrounding the couple’s marriage, which had shown signs of strain in interviews and public appearances over the past several months.
Reports indicate that Urban, 57, appeared visibly uncomfortable during media interviews earlier this summer when questioned about Kidman. In June, during an Australian radio interview with Mix 102.3’s “Haley & Max in the Morning,” Urban abruptly ended the Zoom call after being asked about Kidman’s on-screen romantic scenes with younger actors such as Zac Efron. Co-host Max asked, “What does Keith Urban think when he sees his beautiful wife with beautiful younger men like Zac Efron having these beautiful love scenes on TV and radio?” As soon as the question was posed, Urban signed off the call, prompting co-host Hayley to speculate that his team had ended the interview to avoid uncomfortable questions. Max confirmed that the hosts had not been asked to avoid any topic, but acknowledged that Urban seemed uneasy with personal questions.
This was not the first instance of Urban appearing uncomfortable when discussing his wife’s work. During a July appearance on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show, Seacrest asked about Kidman’s prolific acting schedule and the impact it had on their life together. Urban responded with measured, minimal answers, acknowledging her busyness but keeping the conversation light and noncommittal. Similarly, in a 2024 interview on the “Jam Nation with Jonesy & Amanda” podcast, Urban was asked about the couple’s “amazing love story” and whether he believed in fate. His blunt, short responses and awkward pauses suggested a level of discomfort when discussing personal topics related to Kidman.
Kidman’s recent roles, which included intimate and emotionally demanding scenes, may have added strain to the marriage. In “A Family Affair,” she portrayed a widow involved in a love triangle with her daughter’s boss, played by Efron, while in “Babygirl,” she took on the role of a high-powered CEO engaging in a sexual reawakening with a young intern. In interviews, Kidman described these roles as physically and emotionally intense, requiring significant trust and boundaries on set. She explained to The Sun in October 2024 that filming “Babygirl” involved moments where she felt frustrated and emotionally exhausted, at times telling co-stars, “Don’t touch me. I hate doing this.”
Amid these personal and professional pressures, Urban also made headlines for altering a key lyric in his song “The Fighter,” which was originally inspired by Kidman. During a recent performance, he sang, “When they’re tryna get to you, Maggie, I’ll be your guitar player,” replacing the original line, “When they’re tryna get to you, baby, I’ll be the fighter.” The lyric change referenced Maggie Baugh, a musician in his touring band, and was captured on video and shared on Instagram by Baugh herself.
The couple’s final public outing together took place in June at a FIFA Club World Cup match in Nashville between Los Angeles Football Club and Esperance de Tunis. Since then, Kidman has remained busy with her acting career, recently wrapping filming on Practical Magic 2 in London, while Urban continues his “High and Alive World Tour,” with his next scheduled performance set for October 2 in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Kidman and Urban’s divorce highlights the challenges faced by couples managing high-profile careers and intense public scrutiny. Despite years of a seemingly strong marriage, their professional lives, demanding schedules, and personal boundaries appear to have contributed to the breakdown of their relationship. The divorce filing also formalizes custody arrangements, reflecting Kidman’s intent to maintain primary care for their children while Urban remains actively touring.
The separation of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban marks the end of a high-profile Hollywood marriage, capturing widespread public attention due to both their celebrity status and the intricate balance of personal and professional pressures in their lives. While Kidman continues to focus on her acting career and upcoming projects, Urban maintains a demanding touring schedule, signaling that both will remain highly visible figures in entertainment even as they navigate this personal transition.
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