Nicole Kidman Unable to Accept Venice Acting Prize in Person Due to Her Mother’s Death: Says, ‘My Heart Is Broken’

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Nicole Kidman won best actress at the Venice Film Festival for her performance in “Babygirl” on September 7, but she wasn’t there to accept the award due to devastating news.

After Nicole Kidman’s name was announced, the director of “Babygirl” Halina Reijn took the stage and delivered a written speech in her stead, revealing that the actress had traveled to Venice to attend the ceremony but had to leave due to the news of her mother’s death.

Nicole Kidman wrote, “I arrived in Venice today after my mother, Janelle Anne Kidman’s death. I am shocked and need to go to with my family, but this award is for my mother.”

The actress continued, “She shaped me, guided me and created me. I am grateful to be able to speak her name to all of you through Halina Reijn. The collision of the life and art is heartbreaking. My heart is broken now.”

Nicole Kidman’s mother was a nursing instructor and member of the Australian feminist group Women's Electoral Lobby.

Nicole Kidman was a big acting winners on September 7, night at the Venice Film Festival Awards, and also Vincent Lindon, won the Best Actor prize for “The Quiet Son” and Paul Kircher won the Best Young Actor award for “And Their Children After Them.”

Pedro Almodóvar won the night’s top award, the Golden Lion for best film, for “The Room Next Door” which starrer Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore. Elsewhere, Brady Corbet won the Silver Lion for best director of “The Brutalist.”