Nicole Kidman, the renowned Australian actress, has had an incredible journey in her film career, but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In a conversation on the The Radio Times podcast in January, she revealed the difficulties she faced due to her height of 1.8 meters. Kidman disclosed that she had to lie about her height to secure roles in Hollywood, fearing that her stature would prevent her from being cast.
Height Beyond Expectations
Kidman recalled, “People told me: You can’t have an acting career. You’re too tall.” When she first started her career, she often encountered limitations during auditions because most casting teams only accepted actors of average height. At that time, Kidman stood around 1.75 meters, and her height difference earned her the nickname Stalky. Many people jokingly asked her, “What’s the air like up there?”
While her height brought many challenges, Kidman also learned to leverage it in her acting career. She often chose lower-heeled shoes to balance her height with that of her husband and colleagues. Kidman affirmed, “I am grateful to be healthy and able to go everywhere. The resilience within a person is the real superpower.”
A Flourishing Career and a Happy Personal Life
Nicole Kidman is not only known for her impressive roles but also as one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood. She has appeared in 96 productions in film and television, received 258 nominations, and won 111 awards, including an Oscar and five Golden Globes.
In addition to her illustrious career, Kidman leads a happy personal life. She married country singer Keith Urban in 2006 and has two daughters. Previously, she was married to Tom Cruise, with whom she has two adopted children, Isabella and Connor. Kidman chose to live in Nashville, Tennessee, to enjoy her privacy while frequently accompanying her husband on tours across the United States.
Despite considering leaving her acting career at 40 to focus on family, Kidman persevered thanks to encouragement from her mother and friends. She also took on the role of producer for several projects, including Rabbit Hole (2010) and Big Little Lies (2017-2019), marking her transition into television.
Resilience at 57
Now at 57, Nicole Kidman continues to thrive in the arts. She stars in the series Expats, directed by Lulu Wang, set to premiere on January 26. In the show, Kidman plays Margaret, a wealthy American woman living a simple life in Hong Kong with her family until tragedy strikes when her son goes missing.
Margaret’s life becomes intertwined with two others – Mercy and Hilary Starr – who are also dealing with their own issues. Kidman shared, “I don’t always start everything with a sense of confidence. Television gives me a strong connection with the audience, as if I’m appearing in their homes through the TV.”
Nicole Kidman is a model of resilience and perseverance in both her career and personal life. Despite facing numerous challenges, from her height to industry pressures, she has demonstrated that being different can become an advantage. With her continued successes, Kidman is not just a talented actress but also an inspiration for many women around the world.
