Nicole Kidman
Fairlady|June 2017

‘I don’t choose roles that are going to please’

The Oscar winner says she has a stoic yet sensitive approach to life – which is probably why she’s tackling the thorny issue of domestic abuse not just on screen in Big Little Lies but also on the ground, as a UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador.

Margaret Gardiner
Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman has a laugh that makes you laugh too. She’s charming and warm, and watching her and Keith Urban on the red carpet is a delight as they tease each other and he gazes at his wife as she plays to the cameras. The lithe Australian

Oscar winner is a mother of four: she has two adoptive children, Isabella and Connor, with former hubby Tom Cruise, and two, Sunday Rose (8) and Faith Margaret (6), with her country singer husband.

In the industry, she’s known as a fearless actress who tackles tough subjects, and she does just that in miniseries Big Little Lies, which deals unflinchingly with domestic violence. Nicole plays Celeste Wright, a wealthy stay-at-home mom who has two young kids and whose picture-perfect life masks her volatile marriage and personal losses. There’s a complex psychology to the role which also requires nudity, and her performance is so authentic, it’s almost uncomfortable to watch. She secured the rights to Big Little Lies from Liane Moriarty, the author of the book on which the series is based, and teamed up with Reese Witherspoon to produce the womencentred show that also stars Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz and Alexander Skarsgård.

I met Nicole at a swish Beverly Hills hotel to discuss why this project was important to her and how she’s crafted her life to meet her evolving needs.

ON BIG LITTLE LIES

This story is from the June 2017 edition of Fairlady.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 2017 edition of Fairlady.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FAIRLADYView All
'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'
Fairlady

'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'

Emily Nagoski wrote the book on women and desire - literally. And then her own sex life dried up. Here's what a prolonged sex drought (and a load of research) taught her about maintaining intimacy in a long-term relationship.

time-read
9 mins  |
July/August 2024
'We have to tell HARD STORIES'
Fairlady

'We have to tell HARD STORIES'

Theatre director and playwright Yaël Farber is spending time in South Africa after her critically acclaimed run of King Lear at the Almeida Theatre in London. We chatted to her about the importance of the pursuit of truth.

time-read
6 mins  |
July/August 2024
THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe
Fairlady

THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe

We really got into it this month! Read on for more on the allure of a loosey-goosey jumpsuit, vintage-hunting and jingle-jangling jewellery, the best places to find quality African design and short-girl styling tips.

time-read
10+ mins  |
July/August 2024
LIFT your GAME
Fairlady

LIFT your GAME

Thought weightlifting was just for bodybuilders and powerlifters? Not so. In fact, 'lifting heavy shit' may be the secret to longevity, hormone regulation and mood for women through perimenopause and beyond.

time-read
8 mins  |
July/August 2024
TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS
Fairlady

TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS

Armed with a six-month programme from Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates, Jennifer Morin set about tackling her sun damage and melasma.

time-read
8 mins  |
July/August 2024
PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT
Fairlady

PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT

Here's how to get the most out of loyalty cards.

time-read
5 mins  |
July/August 2024
BIG SKY Country
Fairlady

BIG SKY Country

Namibia. Twelve friends, five vehicles, 4000 km, thirteen days. Eight punctures, one angle grinder. One martial eagle, one full moon, one ghost town. Plenty of top-quality braais, maybe not quite enough oysters... and the best time ever.

time-read
9 mins  |
July/August 2024
IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?
Fairlady

IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?

Leaks, damp and poor ventilation in old or poorly built new homes are being fingered for a growing health concern: mould.

time-read
7 mins  |
July/August 2024
HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE
Fairlady

HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE

The Korean word 'nunchi' describes 'the ability to be sensitive to other people's moods and thoughts'. It's an underrated skill that we seem to have lost.

time-read
9 mins  |
July/August 2024
How to write a memoir
Fairlady

How to write a memoir

Whether you want to share your experiences and insights with the world, leave a legacy or track pivotal experiences for yourself, writing your memoir can be a grand and worthwhile adventure. Here's some advice on how and where to begin.

time-read
7 mins  |
July/August 2024