Nicole Kidman Discovers Daughters’ ‘Armor’ While Navigating Keith Urban Divorce

Kidman marveled at her daughter’s ability to withstand scrutiny.

In a candid conversation that provides a rare look at celebrity parenting, Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman opened up about the emotional resilience of her teenage daughters. The actress, 58, revealed that her children possess an “armor” that helps them navigate the glare of public scrutiny—an observation made poignant by the backdrop of her separation from country music star Keith Urban.

The insight came during a discussion with pop superstar Ariana Grande for Interview magazine, where the two discussed fame, scrutiny, and getting hurt by public perception. Kidman detailed how the modern generation, raised with social media, is better equipped to handle the relentless criticism that she and Grande struggled with earlier in their careers. The discussion happened on October 19, 2025 — less than a month after Kidman filed for divorce.

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Kidman, who shares daughters Sunday Rose (age 17) and Faith Margaret (age 14) with Urban, explained that growing up in the age of constant digital dissection has fundamentally changed how the younger generation processes criticism and public opinion. She contrasted her own experience with that of her children, who primarily reside in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Well, you’re very young, and then suddenly you’re put into this fishbowl and everything is dissected. It starts to get very, very difficult, and then you overthink it and then you get scared and then you get hurt, and then you go, ‘Now I don’t want to go out. I don’t want to venture into this world,’” Kidman observed to Grande. “I get it. It’s just a constant push-pull.” The Big Little Lies star quickly turned the focus to her own home life: “I’m raising teenage girls right now, and it’s fascinating. I think they have an armor that we didn’t get.”

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Kidman theorized that the sheer volume and speed of online discourse has taught her daughters — and their peers — a vital lesson in emotional detachment that her generation missed. “Or that I certainly didn’t get, because there was no social media. The very, very young now have already gone, ‘We know exactly how to handle this.’ They don’t take a lot of things personally. They shrug it off,” Kidman stated.

Grande, 32, immediately recognized the difference, responding with envy: “And just make a joke and move on. I’m like, ‘Wow. Give me a little dose of that. Hello!’” Kidman laughed and agreed, admitting, “Yeah. [Laughs] We need that lesson.” The resilience is particularly relevant as Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret handle their parents’ recent marital split.

Keith Urban Divorce: Co-Parenting Details for Kidman’s Four Children

Kidman’s remarks gain context from her life as a mother of four. She shares Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret with Urban, whom she married in Sydney, Australia, in 2006. She also shares two older children—daughter Isabella Cruise (32) and son Connor Cruise (30)—adopted during her previous marriage to Tom Cruise.

Kidman’s separation from Urban began when she filed for divorce on September 30, with sources confirming the split is being handled with great care for their daughters. Despite the separation, which came after 19 years of marriage, the focus remains on co-parenting. A joint statement from a report confirmed that there is “no drama” regarding the children, with both parents mandated to encourage the children to “continue to love the other parent and be comfortable in both families.” Kidman is listed as the primary residential parent, but the girls spend time with Urban, who has moved out of the family’s Nashville home.