On January 3, 2025, the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s 36th annual Awards Gala became a night of profound emotion as Nicole Kidman, the Academy Award-winning actress, broke down in tears while accepting the International Star Award for her performance in Babygirl. In a heartfelt speech, Kidman dedicated the honor to her late mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, who passed away in September 2024 at the age of 84, just as Kidman was set to receive a Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival. “I feel my mom right now. This is for you, mama,” Kidman said, her voice breaking as she addressed a moved audience of over 1,000 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. This 2000-word exploration delves into the emotional weight of Kidman’s tribute, the context of her loss, her illustrious career, and the universal resonance of her grief, drawing from recent reports and social media sentiment to paint a vivid picture of this unforgettable moment.
The Emotional Night at Palm Springs
The Palm Springs International Film Festival, a star-studded kickoff to Hollywood’s awards season, is known for honoring cinematic excellence and drawing A-list talent. The 2025 gala was no exception, with luminaries like Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, and Angelina Jolie gracing the event. Yet, it was Nicole Kidman’s tearful acceptance speech that stole the spotlight, transforming the evening into a poignant reflection on love, loss, and legacy. Presented with the International Star Award by her Scarpetta co-star and friend Jamie Lee Curtis, Kidman took the stage to celebrate her role in Babygirl, an erotic thriller directed by Halina Reijn that has positioned her as a frontrunner for another Oscar nomination.
As Kidman began her speech, she expressed gratitude to Reijn for casting her and to the audience for their support. But the tone shifted when she spoke of her mother, Janelle, who died unexpectedly just as Kidman arrived at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024. “I want to dedicate this because I didn’t get to do it at the Venice Film Festival,” Kidman said, her voice trembling. “I arrived in Venice, and she was gone. I got the call, and I said to Halina, ‘Can you go on stage for me and accept the award?’ And she did. But now I’m on stage, and I’m back here.” As tears streamed down her face, she added, “I’m sorry I’m crying, I didn’t want to do that, but I feel my mama right now. This is for you, mama.” The audience erupted in applause, moved by her raw vulnerability.
The Context of Loss: Janelle Ann Kidman’s Passing
Janelle Ann Kidman’s death at 84 was a devastating blow to Nicole and her family. The news broke during the Venice Film Festival, where Kidman was set to accept the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for Babygirl. Unable to attend the ceremony, she asked Reijn to accept the award on her behalf, releasing a statement that read, “Today, I arrived in Venice 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. She shaped me, she guided me, and she made me.” The statement, read by Reijn, highlighted the profound influence Janelle had on Nicole’s life and career.
Janelle, a former nursing instructor, was a pillar of strength for Nicole and her sister, Antonia Kidman. Married to Antony Kidman, a biochemist and clinical psychologist who died in 2014, Janelle raised her daughters in Sydney, Australia, instilling resilience and a love for learning. Nicole, born in Honolulu but raised in Australia, often credited her parents for her work ethic and grounded perspective despite her Hollywood fame. In a March 2025 Instagram post marking what would have been Janelle’s 85th birthday, Nicole and Antonia shared a throwback photo, writing, “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.”
The timing of Janelle’s death added a layer of heartbreak. Kidman learned of it just as she was poised to celebrate a career milestone, forcing her to rush home to Australia, missing screenings of Babygirl at Venice and the Toronto International Film Festival. Her absence from those events, coupled with her emotional return at Palm Springs, underscored the depth of her grief. “I went home over Christmas, and I’ve lost both my parents, so I’m in that place of going, ‘Huh, OK, this is different now,’” Kidman said in her speech, reflecting on the void left by both Janelle and Antony.
Nicole Kidman’s Career: A Legacy of Love and Resilience
Kidman’s dedication of the Palm Springs award to her mother was not just a personal tribute but a reflection of her career-long motivation. “My whole career has been for my mom and my dad, and they’re not here now,” she said, her voice breaking. This sentiment echoes her lifelong drive to honor her parents through her work. Kidman, 57, has built a remarkable career since her breakout in Dead Calm (1989), earning an Oscar for The Hours (2003), four additional Oscar nominations, and a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actresses. From Moulin Rouge! (2001) to Big Little Lies (2017–2019), her performances blend intensity, vulnerability, and fearlessness.
Her role in Babygirl, a provocative thriller about a corporate executive’s obsessive affair with a younger colleague, has been hailed as a bold addition to her repertoire. Critics have praised her ability to navigate complex characters, a skill she attributes to her mother’s guidance. “She shaped me, she guided me, and she made me,” Kidman said in her Venice statement, a sentiment she reiterated at Palm Springs. The film, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in 2025, showcases her willingness to take risks, a trait she credits to her parents’ encouragement.
Kidman’s speech also highlighted her resilience, a quality she said her parents instilled. “They’ve given me the resilience, they’ve given me the love, and they’ve given me the strength to keep moving forward,” she told the Palm Springs audience. This resilience has defined her career, from navigating the pressures of early fame alongside Tom Cruise, with whom she shares two children, Bella and Connor, to her enduring partnership with Keith Urban, with whom she has daughters Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret.
Jamie Lee Curtis: A Friend’s Tribute
The emotional weight of Kidman’s speech was amplified by Jamie Lee Curtis, who presented the award and framed it with a heartfelt introduction. Curtis, Kidman’s co-star in the upcoming Amazon series Scarpetta, centered her speech on love, quoting Alistair MacLeod’s novel No Great Mischief: “All of us are better when we’re loved.” She praised Kidman’s devotion to her family, saying, “Nicole Kidman was loved. It’s very clear mostly by her beautiful mother Janelle who she sadly lost earlier this year.” Curtis also lauded Kidman’s tireless work ethic, noting how she creates opportunities for artists through projects like Scarpetta. “When you granulate all of Nicole’s work and life, it simply comes back to love,” Curtis said, setting the stage for Kidman’s emotional moment.
The bond between Curtis and Kidman, forged through their collaboration, added depth to the evening. Curtis’s introduction, described as “emotional and expert” by The Hollywood Reporter, resonated with the audience, who responded with applause as Kidman took the stage. Posts on X captured the moment’s impact, with @debrabirnbaum writing, “A tearful Nicole Kidman dedicated her #PSIFF award to her mother… ‘I’m sorry I’m crying, I didn’t want to do that but I feel my mama right now. This is for you, mama.’”
A Universal Resonance: Grief and Connection
Kidman’s tearful tribute struck a chord because of its universal relatability. Grief, as she expressed, is a deeply personal yet shared human experience. Her candid admission—“I’m still grieving my mom”—and her decision to dedicate the award to Janelle transformed a celebrity moment into a collective one. As Variety noted, Kidman “moved much of the audience at the Palm Springs International Film Awards to tears,” with over 1,000 attendees visibly affected.
Social media amplified this resonance. On X, users like @_martremblay posted, “Nicole Kidman dedicated her Palm Springs Award to her late mother – I’m in tears 🥲,” reflecting the emotional impact on fans. Another user, @AaronRFernandes, described Kidman’s speech as an “emotional masterclass,” highlighting how her vulnerability connected with audiences worldwide. These reactions underscore how Kidman’s openness about her loss invited others to reflect on their own experiences of mourning, making her speech a powerful moment of shared humanity.
Kidman’s grief also resonated because of its timing. Losing her mother just before a career triumph at Venice forced her to confront the “collision of life and art,” as she described it. Her decision to share this pain publicly, first through Reijn’s statement and later at Palm Springs, reflects her commitment to authenticity. “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,” she wrote on Instagram with Antonia, thanking fans for their support.
The Broader Impact: Awards Season and Beyond
The Palm Springs gala was a star-studded affair, with awards presented to Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Ariana Grande (Wicked), and the Conclave cast, among others. Yet, Kidman’s speech stood out as the emotional pinnacle, setting the tone for an awards season where she’s a strong contender. Her Babygirl performance, described by Deadline as “hotly tipped” for further accolades, positions her for potential Oscar and Golden Globe wins.
Beyond awards, Kidman’s tribute highlights her role as a cultural figure who bridges personal and professional spheres. Her upcoming projects, including Holland (premiered at SXSW 2025), Scarpetta, and a Practical Magic sequel with Sandra Bullock, show her continued commitment to storytelling. “I still want to keep working and giving to the world because I love what I do,” she said at Palm Springs, a testament to her resilience amid grief.
A Legacy of Love
Nicole Kidman’s tearful dedication at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival was more than an acceptance speech—it was a love letter to her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, whose influence shaped her life and career. By sharing her grief so openly, Kidman invited audiences to connect with her on a human level, reminding us that even Hollywood icons navigate the universal pain of loss. Her words—“I feel my mom right now. This is for you, mama”—echoed a sentiment that resonates far beyond the stage, touching hearts worldwide.
As Kidman continues her awards season journey, her tribute to Janelle will remain a defining moment, a testament to the enduring bond between mother and daughter. For fans, it’s a reminder of the power of vulnerability and the strength found in love. What did you think of Nicole’s emotional speech? Share your thoughts below—this is a moment that will linger long after the applause fades.
