Nicole Kidman paid tribute to the mentors who have supported and uplifted her, including her late mother, during her acceptance speech for The Hollywood Reporter’s Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at THR‘s Women in Entertainment gala, presented by Lifetime, in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Friend and Big Little Lies co-star Laura Dern presented Kidman with the award, which recognizes trailblazers and philanthropists in entertainment and media. Dern acknowledged the pair’s 25-year bond in her speech, calling Kidman her “leader, guide, producer, collaborator, sister” and “sometimes therapist.”
“I first had the privilege of getting to know Nic through friendship,” Dern said. “I don’t know how it happened — even though I’m from Santa Monica, California — that I was invited 25-plus years ago into the Australian coven. It consists of an amazing group of beloved friends and artists who protect and champion each other.”
“Then, I got to bear witness to Nicole as my producer and as my fellow actor on Big Little Lies,” Dern continued. “And now, [she’s my] producing partner and sister on a new film we’re working on. This is where I’ve witnessed, up close and personal, her commitment in every area of her life to lift other women up, to not only give profound support, but consistently give them incredible opportunities with radical determination.”
Dern went on to highlight Kidman’s commitment to working with female directors since 2017 (“four of her six current projects were directed by women”) and gushed about the Oscar winner’s performance in the Halina Reijn-directed film Babygirl, which Dern said, “offers an extraordinary point of view within the complexities of the human condition and societal expectations on women.”
Dern closed her speech by thanking Kidman for her leadership.
“Despite her endless commitments, Nicole is always showing up,” Dern said. “Not only as an actor and producer but equally as mother, as wife, as daughter, as sister, as friend and as advocate and yes, this is true, as neighbor. You have never seen decorations like hers. … She is the greatest neighbor anybody can have. … I know that, for Nicole, leadership means inviting everybody in with her. I’ve watched her do it all these years.”
Kidman expressed her gratitude to Dern, who she called her “girlfriend and confidante,” while accepting her award. She also acknowledged her close relationship with Sherry Lansing, who was the first woman to head a major Hollywood studio and the first executive Kidman met when she came to the U.S. from Australia.
“It was extraordinary because I was nervous, intimidated, wondering what my future was as a young actress coming over from Australia,” Kidman said about the early days of her career. “Suddenly, there was this woman who was real and interested and had seen my work — which was minimal at that time — but had seen it and talked to me just like I deserved to be there.”
“This is the leadership award, but it’s really important to acknowledge that this is about mentorship: good mentors and being mentored,” Kidman continued. “And that’s what Sherry’s given all of us. It’s what she gave me.”
Kidman went on to acknowledge previous recipients of the award — Adele, Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon, Viola Davis, Meryl Streep, Barbra Streisand and Oprah Winfrey — some of whom Kidman said she has “been lucky enough to share a set with, a makeup trailer with.”
“Some of them have become my dearest and closest friends, and I have sought them out when I’ve been grieving,” the THR cover star said. “I’ve sought them out when I’ve been struggling. I’ve sought them out when I’m depressed, and they have shown up for me and continue to guide me and push me and say, ‘the future is bright, and the future is there.’”
Kidman also thanked the “emerging talent,” who she’s worked with and learned from, including Reijn.
“She’s standing here today, and I am lucky to have worked with her, but I’m just happy I get to share some of the power that I’ve been given and I can pass it forward,” Kidman said about the director.
The most heartfelt moment of Kidman’s speech came when she acknowledged her daughters and her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, who died in September. The Perfect Couple actress shared a story about her daughter, Faith, who consoled her on Tuesday night after Kidman became upset about the loss of her mother.
“I’m also going to say my daughter [Faith] is here. Last night, in the name of trying to do it all, I was at the choir concert watching her sing. We then got on a plane, and we came here and I started crying because my mama loved, and she loved education,” Kidman said.
“Suddenly, it was three months down the track from losing her. But I’m seeing my daughter stand there with her whole future ahead of her. She’s getting on a plane coming with me, and she was my mentor,” Kidman continued. “I broke down with her and she said, ‘It’s OK, mama. You’re going to be OK.’ She’s showing up with me here today. And even though I don’t have my mom anymore, I have my daughters.”
“Faith, last night, was my mentor. [She was] my guide, and she shared her wisdom. And, thus, I’m here today not looking like a wreck.”
Kidman closed out her speech by thanking her agent, who has “shown up at my bedside when things have happened in my life” and encouraging people to seek mentorship and help others.
“Reach out today when you leave this room and mentor someone because you have no idea what it means when you get that support and that guidance from somebody else,” Kidman said. “There’s so many powerful people in this room. So reach out, show that support, mentor someone well, because the world will reap the benefits, and you may impact a life in the same way that Sherry Lansing impacted mine.”
THR‘s Women in Entertainment gala was sponsored by Best Buy, Delta Air Lines, Rare Beauty, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Sephora and WME and in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, Entertainment Industry Foundation, Gersh, Chapman University and Loyola Marymount University. It was held in conjunction with the publication of THR’s annual Women in Entertainment issue and Power 100 list.
English (US) ·