Nicole Kidman dedicated her most recent prize for the film Babygirl to her late mother, Janelle Ann Kidman.
Jamie Lee Curtis, who also mentioned Kidman’s mother, presented Kidman, 57, with the 2025 Palm Springs worldwide Film Festival’s worldwide star award on Friday, January 3.
Kidman said she is “still grieving” over Janelle’s passing after praising Babygirl director Halina Reijn for including her in the film. Kidman started to cry as she explained that she couldn’t dedicate the prize to her mother at the Venice Film Festival, so she did it instead.
“I appreciate you allowing me to say, ‘This is for my mom,'” Kidman added as the crowd erupted in cheers. “My entire professional life has been dedicated to my parents, who are no longer with me. I love what I do, I love you all, and I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to be a member of the film community, therefore I will continue to work and give back to the world.”
“I’m sorry that I’m crying, I didn’t want to do that,” Kidman replied. “But I feel my mom right now so this is for you.”
After hearing of her mother’s passing, Kidman skipped Babygirl’s showings in Venice and at the Toronto International Film Festival in September so she could spend time with her family. Following the event, Kidman and her sister, Antonia Kidman, expressed gratitude to the audience for the “outpouring of love and kindness.”
“Every message we have received from those who loved and admired our Mother has meant more to us than we will ever be able to express,” the two actresses wrote. “Thank you from our whole family for respecting our privacy as we take care of each other.”
In recent months, Kidman and Curtis, 66, have been collaborating on the new Scarpetta series on Prime Video, in which they will co-star as sisters. Both Kidman and Curtis serve as executive producers for the show, which is based on Patricia Cornwell’s novels.
To keep informed about the best that PEOPLE has to offer, from captivating human interest stories to celebrity news, subscribe to their free daily email.
Kidman’s performance in Babygirl, the sensual thriller in which she co-stars alongside Antonio Banderas and Harris Dickinson, earned her an award. Additionally, her performance is nominated for a Golden Globe on Sunday, January 5.
“Nicole Kidman once again demonstrates her unparalleled ability to effortlessly embrace daring and surprising roles. In a statement following the award’s announcement, festival chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi praised Kidman, saying, “In Babygirl, she plays a powerful CEO whose life starts to fall apart as she embarks on a dark, risky affair that threatens to shatter her carefully constructed world.” “We are proud to give her the International Star Award for this outstanding performance, which perfectly captures Nicole Kidman’s essence.”
The Brutalist’s Adrien Brody, Ralph Fiennes and the Conclave ensemble, Sing Sing’s Colman Domingo, Anora’s Mikey Madison, Emilia Perez’s Karla Sofía Gascon, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Edgar Ramirez were among the other Palm Springs International Film Festival award honorees this year. Babygirl is currently showing in theaters.
