Nicole Kidman has had a captivating life and career over the decades, and while the public and media have been enamored with her, they’ve also subjected her to very public scrutiny and criticism. From her early days and a high-profile divorce from Tom Cruise to her current status as an award-winning A-lister, Kidman has always been surrounded by rumors about her marriages, motherhood, and career that are sometimes accurate and sometimes fiction. She’s always handled them with grace and managed her narrative with ease, whether it’s with a dignified silence, brushing them off, or confronting lies with legal action. Here are nine rumors about this Aussie star that we can’t ignore—and all the ways she responded to them.
All the affair rumors
No one in Hollywood is immune to affair rumors, and Nicole Kidman has been the subject of many. On the set of “Cold Mountain” in the early 2000s, the “Babygirl” star was allegedly involved with Jude Law. It was even worse that Jude was married at the time, so Kidman was seen as a home-wrecker. This rumor came on the heels of other romantic rumors, including gossip that she cheated on her ex, Tom Cruise, and that she was involved with her co-star from “Moulin Rouge!”, Ewan McGregor.
Nicole Kidman’s divorce from Tom Cruise was rife with speculation
When Nicole Kidman got divorced from Tom Cruise in 2001, it was one of Hollywood’s most high-profile divorces—the two stole hearts both on and off-screen, and many were devastated. Cruise filed for divorce weeks after they celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary and vow renewal. While some blamed Scientology or their chaotic acting careers, others were suspicious that a third party was involved. However, court papers indicate that the downfall coincided with a recent miscarriage Kidman had and that she begged Cruise to stay with her. A year later, Cruise told Vanity Fair, “She knows why, and I know why,” which didn’t put anyone at ease.
After her divorce, she became a meme
While the divorce was supposedly amicable, Nicole Kidman was photographed in a now-iconic image that was reportedly snapped after she left her lawyer’s office following the divorce. Her arms are flung open, and she looks to be in total euphoria. This photo turned into a viral meme years later on social media, but the story behind the marriage ending is still somewhat of a mystery. Kidman addressed the photo when speaking with British GQ, saying, “That was not me; that was from a film, that wasn’t real life. I know that image!”
There is a lot of gossip surrounding her relationship with her older kids
Ever since the divorce, whispers have been swirling around Nicole Kidman’s complicated relationship with her eldest kids, Bella and Connor Cruise. She adopted them during her marriage with Cruise, and they’ve mostly stayed out of the spotlight. However, it’s known that they’re closer to their father and involved in the Church of Scientology. Today, they’re in their 30s, and still don’t participate in their mother’s milestones. Speaking to Who magazine in 2018, she said, “They are adults. … They have made choices to be Scientologists and as a mother, it’s my job to love them.” Some reports say that today, she is determined to reconcile with her kids.
She’s had to deal with pregnancy rumors
The actress’s motherhood journey has always been accompanied by pregnancy rumors, so much so that when she was actually pregnant in 2008, it threw everyone off kilter. Even her own publicist said, “For years I’ve seen speculation and for years it’s never been right, so I didn’t think it was right this time. And then she’s just rung this morning.” Throughout her pregnancy, there were rumors that she posed naked to show off her belly, which Kidman said was false and laughed off. Even her post-pregnancy weight was speculated to be due to another pregnancy. The actress said. “No, I just have a little tummy. My god, I just had a baby four months ago—give me a break!”
Her youthful appearance has led to rumors about plastic surgery
Nicole Kidman has always been gorgeous, but her looks have also raised suspicions. At 57 years old, her unwavering beauty has sparked persistent rumors about cosmetic procedures. From tabloids to Redditors, her evolving looks have been dissected. She generally doesn’t engage with these comments but has admitted to using Botox, saying she regrets it and stopped because she couldn’t move her forehead.
People are obsessed with her supposed feud with Salma Hayek
Celebrity feuds aren’t uncommon in showbiz, and Nicole Kidman is involved in quite a few. One of the most famous ones is a rift with Salma Hayek, which became more high-profile at Paris Fashion Week 2024. In videos from the Balenciaga show, Kidman looks like she’s flinging off Hayek’s arm as Hayek tries to turn her to face the paparazzi. She then went to hug Katy Perry while Hayek appeared disoriented. The U.S. Sun even claimed Kidman said, “Don’t touch me.”
Rumors that her husband, Keith Urban, has been unfaithful
This power couple has been married since 2006, but a model named Amanda Wyatt claimed she had been seeing the singer while he was courting Kidman. She said, “Keith cheated on her repeatedly with me, right up to just before they got married. He’s done it once, and he’ll probably do it again.” Urban and Kidman presented a united front against the criticism, but rumors about their marriage still persist, with gossip sites saying that he’s rekindled with his exes and flirted with singer Kelsea Ballerini.
She was at the heart of a feud between rival perfume companies
Nicole Kidman starred in an iconic (and ultra-expensive) commercial for Chanel No. 5 perfume after being the new celebrity face of the brand. But she was called disloyal in 2007 when The Daily Telegraph claimed she was praising and even applying a Jo Malone fragrance while promoting her film “The Golden Compass” in the UK. She took legal action against the newspaper, claiming the story was false, and The Telegraph ultimately admitted that they did make up the story and apologized to Kidman. She donated her damages to the United Nations Development Fund for Women.
9 Nicole Kidman Rumors That Are Impossible to Ignore
