Nicole Kidman says having pale skin helped her become who she is

Nicole Kidman has some of the most enviable skin in the business - but it hasn't been without some sacrifice.

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The actress says that she was often forced to shelter herself from the hot Australian sun when she was younger, which helped build her inner life.

"As I was pale-skinned, I was kept indoors a lot - I couldn't be running around on the beach with my friends," Kidman explained.

"But the benefit of that was that I was reading books, building my inner life and concocting ideas in my head."

According to Kidman, her pale skin was part of the reason she was able to become an actress at a young age. The star took ballet classes from age three, and quickly followed them up with acting classes.

Luckily, Nicole's parents, Janelle and Antony, were supportive of her ambitions to become an actress.

"They used to take me to The Independent Theatre, which was very bohemian, and we would sit on beanbags on the floor," Kidman recalled.

These days, Kidman lives in a similarly hot environment: Nashville Tennesse, where her husband, Keith Urban, established his musical career.

"Smaller town, slower pace, which I prefer and you're actually living a life, rather than just analysing it and talking about living it," Kidman said.

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"My daughters have Southern accents; it's where my husband's career is and I love it."

No doubt she has SPF on everyday too.