Keith Urban: Grief 'Comes in Waves' After Nicole Kidman's Mom Died
10/30/2024 10:52 AM
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman are still navigating the loss of the actress' mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, who died on September 7 at age 84
Urban, 57, was scheduled to perform on the Today show plaza last month but canceled the gig following news of his mother-in-law's death. Upon returning to the NBC morning show on Wednesday, October 30, the musician shared an update on how he and Nicole, 57, have been doing recently.
"Thank you very much, and thanks for having us back. We really appreciate that," he told Hoda Kotb after she asked about Janelle Ann's death. "It's up and down, you know. It comes in waves, but the outpouring's been amazing, so thank you, everybody, for that. We so appreciate it."
Last month, Nicole announced her mother's death in a statement read by Babygirl director Halina Reijn during a Venice International Film Festival panel. "Today I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after, that my beautiful, brave mother Janelle Ann Kidman has just passed," Reijn, 48, said on behalf of the Oscar winner, who left the festival early. "I am 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."
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Nicole's statement continued: "I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina, the collision of life and art is heart-breaking, and my heart is broken."
At the time, a spokesperson for Nicole told Us Weekly that "the family is heartbroken and asks for privacy at this time."
Nicole addressed her mother's passing days later via Instagram, writing, "My sister [Antonia Kidman] and I along with our family want to thank you for the outpouring of love and kindness we have felt this week. Every message we have received from those who loved and admired our Mother has meant more to us than we will ever be able to express. Thank you from our whole family for respecting our privacy as we take care of each other ."
Urban subtly addressed their family's loss in a September 20 interview with The Times. "Yeah, everybody's good, man. Thank you for asking," he stated.
Earlier this month, Kidman told The Hollywood Reporter on October 23 that "it's been hard" since her mother's death, adding, "It's a hard road. I'm hanging in there."
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Nicole made one of her first public appearances since her mother's death at the Concert for Carolina benefit show on Saturday, October 26. She joined her husband on stage to commemorate his 57th birthday.
"I do want to say it's his birthday tonight. … And he wanted to be here with you. So here we go," she said in footage from the event.
On Wednesday's Today episode, Urban noted that the concert — which also featured performances from Luke Combs, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings, Bailey Zimmerman and the Avett Brothers — helped raise "$25 million [dollars] and counting" for Hurricane Helene relief.
