Nicole Kidman has never been one to shy away from wit, and one of her most iconic remarks is finding fresh life again, just as the actress faces another headline-making breakup.
News broke this week that Kidman has filed for divorce from Keith Urban after 19 years of marriage, and fans are revisiting an unforgettable moment from her past when she took a cheeky dig at her ex-husband, Tom Cruise.
Nicole Kidman’s Interview That Sparked A Cultural Moment Applies To Keith Urban Divorce
Back in August 2001, Nicole Kidman appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman to promote her gothic thriller ‘The Others‘, a film executive-produced by Cruise himself. It was only months after the pair, who had met on the set of ‘Days of Thunder‘ and married in 1990, announced they were parting ways.
As expected, Letterman wasted no time addressing the split. “I heard you’re getting divorced. How’s that going?” he asked. Kidman giggled nervously at first, and admitted that the breakup had prompted ‘a lot of questions.’ But when pressed further, she delivered a line that instantly entered the Hollywood hall of fame.
She instantly quipped, saying, “Well, I can wear heels now.” She said this as she lifted one of her shoes with a sly smile. The studio audience almost erupted, and though she quickly tried to move the conversation along, the remark had already etched its place.
Without her heels, Kidman stands 5’11”, which makes her taller than both Tom Cruise (who’s 5’7″) and Urban (who’s 5’10”). Even though the jab was just for fun, it was clearly a symbol of her newly found freedom.
Nicole Kidman’s Life With Tom Cruise, And After
Kidman and Cruise’s marriage spanned a decade of Hollywood history. It even included their collaborations on ‘Far and Away‘ and Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Eyes Wide Shut‘. Over the years, Kidman has occasionally revisited that chapter. She once told DuJour she was “impulsive and naive” as a 23-year-old, while Cruise was 28.
In case you missed it: Top 25 Best Nicole Kidman Movies, Ranked
In 2020, she also pushed back against claims that Kubrick’s erotic thriller strained their relationship as she recalled the late-night go-kart racing sessions after intense scenes. She even opened up during the #MeToo movement as she admitted that being married to one of the most powerful men in Hollywood had provided her with a level of protection from harassment.
Cruise, for his part, has also looked back on their time together with respect. He even called her “a great actress” when discussing his decision to bring her into ‘Eyes Wide Shut‘.
As these older remarks make fresh rounds online, reports confirm that Kidman filed for divorce from Urban in Nashville. It follows nearly two decades of marriage and two daughters together, Sunday Rose, now 17, and Faith Margaret, 14.
According to sources close to the family, the decision was difficult. Because Nicole Kidman did her best to keep the relationship intact. Fans are now drawing parallels between then and now. And, the reason isn’t just the similarity between breakups but Kidman’s commendable resilience. Throughout both breakups, she’s trying her best to stand strong. And, we wish her all the power in the world.
