Nicole Kidman Reveals Her Mom Encouraged Her to Not Quit Acting 'Completely' After Starting Family with Keith Urban

Mar. 15, 2025

Janelle and Nicole Kidman.Photo:James D. Morgan/Getty

Nicole Kidman and mom Janelle Kidman

James D. Morgan/Getty

Nicole Kidmanis grateful for her mom.

Speaking in a new interview withCBS News, published Sunday, Dec. 15, the actress, 57, revealed that her late motherJanelle Ann Kidmanencouraged her to continue acting when she almost quit her career in 2008.

At the time, Nicole had just given birth to her first child, Sunday Rose, 16, with husbandKeith Urbanand wanted to focus more on her family.

“When I gave birth to [Sunday Kidman-Urban], I was like, ‘Well, I think I’m pretty much done now,'” she toldCBS News. “We were living on a farm, and that’s when my mother said, ‘I wouldn’t give up completely. Keep a finger sort of in it.’”

In addition to Sunday, Nicole also shares daughter Faith Margaret, 13, with Urban, as well as daughter Bella, 31, and son Connor, 29, with ex-husbandTom Cruise.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“And I’m like, ‘No, no. I’m done now. I’m done,’” Nicole continued. “She’s going, ‘Just listen to me. Keep moving forward. Not saying that you have to do it to the level you’ve been doing it, but I wouldn’t give it up completely.'”

Michael Kovac/Getty

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Keith Urban, Faith Margaret Kidman-Urban, Sunday Urban, Rose Urban, honoree Nicole Kidman, Antonia Kidman, Craig Marran, and guests attend the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To Nicole Kidman at Dolby Theatre on April 27, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

“That came from a woman who was from a generation that didn’t have the opportunities that I had, that she had helped create for her daughters. So that’s probably something that she wished she’d had when she was little," added Nicole.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman at the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards at Barker Hangar on February 27, 2022.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman attend the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards at Barker Hangar on February 27, 2022 in Santa Monica, California

Taking her mother’s advice, Nicole went on to receive a Best Actress Oscar nomination not long after in 2010 for the dramaRabbit Hole.

source: people.com