Nicole Kidman (Honolulu, Hawaii, 56 years old) has an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a Bafta and several Emmys. Now she can also boast of having the most important award given by the American Film Institute ‘AFI Life Achievement Award’. The actress, born in Hawaii, but with Australian residence and nationality, received this award supported by many colleagues and her entire family. This recognition has greatly moved Nicole Kidman, who for the first time posed on a red carpet with her daughters, Sunday, 15, and Faith, 13, her sister, the journalist Antonia Kidman.
Sunday Urban and Fairh Urban, Nicole Kidman, her sister Antonia Kidman accompanied by her partner Craig Marran.Gilbert Flores (Variety via Getty Images)
The person in charge of giving Nicole Kidman the AFI for her entire career was her partner and great friend Meryl Streep. The event was held in a packed Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. In a statement, AFI explained the reasons why Kidman was chosen in 2024 to receive the award. “The winner must be a person whose talent has fundamentally advanced the art of cinema; whose achievements have been recognized by academics, critics, professional colleagues and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time.”
Nicole Kidman has become the first Australian actress to receive the AFI Life Achievement Award. “Both a powerful performer, a captivating movie star and an accomplished producer, Kidman has captured audiences’ imaginations throughout her prolific career with complex and versatile performances on screen. Moving seamlessly between independent and studio filmmaking, Kidman has earned a reputation for her extraordinary talent, her commitment to her craft, and her desire to work with auteur filmmakers such as Jane Campion, Sofia Coppola, Baz Luhrmann, Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Lars von Trier, Aaron Sorkin and Stanley Kubrick,” they explained from AFI.
Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep hugging during the AFI award ceremony. Gilbert Flores (Variety via Getty Images)
For this important day in her career, Kidman, one of the most admired women in the world for her elegance on the red carpet, opted for a gold Balenciaga mermaid-style dress with a train custom-made for her. Behind the look is the work of stylist Jason Bolden. The actress finished off the look with loose, natural hair.
Nicole Kidman, with a gold Balenciaga dress. Steve Granitz (FilmMagic)
In addition to her daughters and sister, Kidman was accompanied by her husband, musician Keith Urban, with whom she has been in a relationship for 18 years. With a message on Instagram, Urban wanted to make public his admiration for his wife. “In a career that is still in full flight, tonight the American Film Institute will honor my wife as the newest member of this extraordinary fraternity. Honey, I’m so proud of you, and while I may seem like a biased husband, I’ll let the list of past honorees speak for me.” Among the previous winners that Urban refers to are John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, Elizabeth Taylor, Meryl Streep, Martin Scorsese and Jane Fonda.
Fellow professionals such as Reese Witherspoon and Noami Watts took the stage to show their admiration for the actress. “You are the sister I never had. You’re tall, elegant, and wickedly smart, with the most infectious laugh you’ve ever heard. She has always been the most generous person. “You have the heart of a lioness,” Watts said.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, along with their family. Emma McIntyre (Getty Images for Warner Bros. Di)Sunda and Faith Urban.Michael Kovac (Getty Images for AFI) Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon.Jon Kopaloff (Getty Images for AFI) AFI)
