Nicole Kidman Reveals Devastating Family Loss After Abruptly Leaving Venice Film Festival

Nicole Kidman is dealing with a profound loss in her family.

The 57-year-old film star was unable to accept an award at the 81st Venice Film Festival this week after receiving news that her mother, Janelle, has sadly died.

While Kidman was supposed to be receiving the Best Actress award for her new film Babygirl, the film's director, Halina Reijn, instead accepted the honor on her behalf, while reading aloud a prepared statement from the Academy Award-winning actress.

As seen in footage from the ceremony shared to X (formerly Twitter) Reijn held out a piece of paper while reading Kidman's words as she wrote, "Today I arrived in Venice, only to find out shortly after that my beautiful, brave mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, has just passed."

"I'm in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her," Kidman's statement continued. "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 solemn statement concluded.

French actress Isabelle Huppert, president of the Venice Film Festival jury this year, also spoke out to send her condolences to Kidman, stating, "I just wanted to tell her that we really miss her and we love her," as head in another clip shared on X.

Kidman's team has not released any further details regarding her mother's death, but in a statement made to People, a rep for the actress said "the family is heartbroken and asks for privacy at this time."

Next: Remembering the Stars and Legends We've Lost in 2024