Keith Urban Emotionally Shares How Nicole Kidman “Chose Love” After He Blew Their “Marriage to Smithereens”

Keith Urban opened up about Nicole Kidman’s unconditional love and resilience when she was honored at the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala.

On April 27, the Oscar-winning actress earned the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognized her contribution to the arts. Dozens of her friends and colleagues were on hand to share stories and praise for Nicole, including Keith, who delivered a touching speech about how much she had given him, even when she had every reason to walk away.

“We got married in June 2006, and barely four months into our marriage, my addictions … that I’d done really nothing about, blew our marriage to smithereens,” he revealed in a video shared on June 18.

“Four months into a marriage, I’m in rehab for three months,” he continued. “I had no idea what was going to happen to us … If you want to see what love in action really looks like, give that a whirl.”

Keith Urban Praises Nicole Kidman’s “Passion” For Life

In a 2022 interview with The Times , Keith revealed that he fell into drugs and alcohol to cope with his early fame. He went into rehab in 1998 but had a relapse eight years later, which was just when he was beginning his life with Nicole Kidman.

“Nic pushed through every negative voice,” he added during his April speech. “I’m sure even some of her own and she chose love. And here we are tonight, 18 years later.”

Keith Urban went on to praise Nicole Kidman’s passion for life and for always knowing the “importance of expressing feelings.”

“I wasn’t raised like this at all. So our girls are very lucky to be learning from you, baby,” he said.

Nicole sat in the audience with their two daughters, Sunday, 15, and Faith, 13, visibly moved by his words.

“I know tonight’s all about her body of work so far … but next year, we’ll be 20 years that I’ve been madly in love with you,” Keith concluded. “Congratulations, baby girl. I love you.”

This story’s featured image is Monica Schipper/WireImage.

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