Nicole Kidman Hints at Bizarre New Role After a Personal Tragedy

Actress Nicole Kidman said she plans to pursue training as a death doula, describing the decision as part of a new direction following the death of her mother, Janelle Ann Kidman, in 2024 at the age of 84, as reported by Fox News.

Kidman discussed her plans during an appearance Saturday at the University of San Francisco’s Silk Speaker Series, where she spoke with investigative journalist Vicky Nguyen.

The actress said her interest in end-of-life care was shaped by her experience during her mother’s final days.

“As my mother was passing, she was lonely, and there was only so much the family could provide,” Kidman said, acknowledging that the idea “may sound a little weird.”

Nicole Kidman has revealed she wants to study to become a death doula after the passing of her mother Janelle in September 2024.
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“Between my sister and I, we have so many children and our careers and our work, and wanting to take care of her because my father wasn’t in the world anymore, and that’s when I went, ‘I wish there was these people in the world that were there to sit impartially and just provide solace and care.’”

“So that’s part of my expansion and one of the things I will be learning,” she added.

According to the International End-of-Life Doula Association, end-of-life doulas provide support that includes psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, and practical care, with a focus on helping individuals maintain dignity throughout the dying process.

Kidman’s mother died in September 2024 while the actress was attending the Venice Film Festival. Kidman had won the best actress award for her role in “Babygirl” but did not attend the ceremony after learning of her mother’s death.

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“I arrived in Venice and found out shortly after that my beautiful, brave mother, Janelle Ann Kidman has just passed,” Kidman said in a statement delivered by the film’s director, Halina Reijn, according to The Associated Press.

“I’m in shock, and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her. She shaped me and made me.”

At the time, a representative for Kidman confirmed the death, stating, “The family is heartbroken and asks for privacy at this time.”

Kidman has previously spoken about her close relationship with her mother in multiple interviews over the years. In a 2022 interview on NPR’s “Fresh Air” podcast, she described the perspective she gained from their relationship.

“I’m at the place where I’m being given the chance to view the world, because of how close we are. My mom is giving me the chance to view the world through an 81-year-old woman’s eyes. That is so beneficial right now, because she’s so cognizant. She has every brain faculty available, so she hasn’t lost anything. She hasn’t lost any memory, which is fascinating, and she’s extremely bright.”

“She’s giving me access, because she’s also very direct and very honest, and so I’m getting access to the world through her eyes, my mother’s eyes,” she said.

“It’s her perspective, obviously. There’s many different 80-year-old perspectives, but it’s her perspective, and her particular path, but I’m drinking it in and learning.”

In a 2020 interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Kidman said her mother influenced her career path and encouraged her to pursue opportunities.

“She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her,” Kidman said. “But she also carved her own path and wanted her daughters to have the same opportunity to carve their own paths.”

“Mom didn’t necessarily get the career that she wanted, but she was determined that her daughters would have opportunities that were equal,” she added.

“That’s given me my life. And she gave me my life, she and my dad.”

Kidman’s father, Antony Kidman, died in 2014.

The actress said her plan to study as a death doula reflects her experience with her mother’s passing and her interest in providing support to others during similar moments.

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