As the world went into lockdown, the “Moulin Rouge” alum found herself unable to visit her mother in Australia, a separation that was especially hard during significant family moments like Mother’s Day and Janelle’s 80th birthday.

Nicole expressed her deep sense of longing, revealing, “I would love to be able to have a cup of tea with mum and sit on the balcony and talk about life, and have her tell me what I should be doing.”
The distance was painful for Nicole, as she missed these cherished occasions with her mother. Reflecting on the challenges faced during the lockdown, she said, “Talk about just gut-wrenching. At least there’s FaceTime and technology because that’s been a saving grace. But for our family, not to have that [physical connection], it’s been really hard.”
Even during these times, the “Far and Away” star found solace in small moments of connection through technology. She would often FaceTime her mother, who, though hesitant about video calls, eventually learned to embrace the new form of communication.
Xem bài viết này trên Instagram
Nicole fondly recalled coaching her mom on finding the best angles for video calls, laughing about Janelle’s resistance to Zoom. “She’s like, ‘No, no Zoom,'” Nicole joked, highlighting the light-hearted moments that kept them close despite the distance.
The bond between Nicole and her mother was deeply rooted not only in family but also in shared passions and values. Janelle played a pivotal role in shaping her daughter’s ambitions, always encouraging Nicole and her sister Antonia Kidman to pursue their own paths. “She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her,” Nicole shared.
Janelle’s influence extended beyond words, driving Nicole to excel and ensuring that her daughters had opportunities that she did not. “Mum didn’t necessarily get the career that she wanted, but she was determined that her daughters would have opportunities that were equal,” Nicole mentioned. “That’s given me my life. And she gave me my life, she and my dad.”

When Janelle’s health took a turn for the worse in early 2022, Nicole did not hesitate to return to Australia to be by her side. Despite the ongoing pandemic, Nicole ensured her mother was surrounded by love and the people who mattered most—her grandchildren.
Speaking about this time, the “Aquaman” alum recounted a special outing, saying, “We were able to take her into the gallery after hours and show her the Matisse exhibit, which coming from a mother who’s raised me in the arts was very, very – it was soothing balm.”
Janelle’s influence on Nicole extended into every aspect of her life, including her sense of style. Nicole often spoke about her mother’s involvement in her fashion choices, a bond that continued well into Janelle’s later years.
Xem bài viết này trên Instagram
“I grew up as a little girl with a grandmother that loved fashion and could sew, and my mother the same. They loved beautiful clothes. They could make beautiful clothes,” Nicole said during a 2023 interview, adding, “I watched them sew, embroider, and knit, crochet. And I think when you grow up seeing the people in your household do that, then you love that.”
Nicole further emphasized how her mother’s passion for fashion influenced her style, noting, “And my mother is still—she’s so involved in what I wear.” Janelle’s keen eye for detail and style remained a guiding force, as she continued to be involved in Nicole’s wardrobe decisions almost until the end.
Throughout her life, Janelle was more than a mother to Nicole—she was a source of inspiration, a confidante, and a constant presence who shaped her into the person she became.
Despite the physical distance and the challenges that came with it, Nicole Kidman’s connection with her mother never wavered. From moments of shared laughter to the quiet, personal times of care and support, their relationship was a testament to the enduring power of family.