Nicole Kidman has recently shared a heartbreaking admission about the emotional toll her role in Big Little Lies took on her well-being. The Oscar-winning actress opened up about the devastating impact of portraying domestic and sexual abuse in the critically acclaimed HBO series, where she played Celeste Wright, a mother trapped in an abusive marriage.
Nicole Kidman’s Role in Big Little Lies
Kidman starred alongside major Hollywood names like Laura Dern, Reese Witherspoon, and Meryl Streep in the series, which focused on the hidden struggles of seemingly perfect lives. Kidman’s character, Celeste, endured a physically abusive relationship with her on-screen husband, played by Alexander Skarsgård. The series included numerous disturbing scenes, many of which were painful and difficult for viewers to watch, but the emotional strain it had on Kidman was largely unknown until now.
Emotional Toll of Filming
In a recent interview with W Magazine, Kidman admitted how ashamed and emotionally drained she felt after filming the show’s most explicit scenes. “I felt very exposed, vulnerable, and deeply humiliated at times,” she confessed. The actress went on to describe a particularly traumatic moment during the filming of episode seven, where she was left “broken and crying” on the bathroom floor after a distressing scene. Director Jean-Marc Vallée had to comfort her, placing a towel over her as she lay in torn clothing.
Impact on Victims and Viewers
Despite the emotional difficulty, Kidman emphasized the authenticity of the role. She revealed that she had flashes of real-life women who had experienced similar abuse, which motivated her to continue portraying such a challenging character. The role resonated with many viewers, with several reaching out to Kidman to thank her for bringing attention to domestic violence.
“I’ve received the most amazing emails from people saying they now understand why women stay in abusive relationships,” Kidman shared. This response, she said, was one of the most rewarding aspects of her work on the series.
Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse
Kidman’s portrayal of Celeste Wright not only earned her critical acclaim but also sparked important conversations about domestic abuse. She noted that her performance helped shed light on why victims sometimes remain in abusive relationships, an issue that many find difficult to understand.
Conclusion
The emotionally charged scenes in Big Little Lies had a profound impact on Nicole Kidman, but her portrayal of Celeste Wright has helped raise awareness of domestic violence and started conversations that have changed lives. As Kidman expressed, “If that changes one person’s life, that’s amazing for me.”
