Nicole Kidman spoke about missing her late mother Janelle, who died last month at age 84.
“It’s been hard,” Nicole, 57, told The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday, October 23 at the Lioness season 2 premiere in Los Angeles. “It’s a hard road. I’m hanging in there.”
The actress admitted it was bittersweet to be celebrating her career success without her mother around to share it.
“I wish my mama was here,” Nicole told the outlet. “That’d be the one thing I’d say. Everything is great with work but I wish my mama was here.”
The Big Little Lies actress left the Venice International Film Festival early on September 7 to return home to Australia after learning of Janelle’s death.
Babygirl director Halina Reijn confirmed Janelle’s death as she read a statement on behalf of Nicole during a Venice International Film Festival panel. Kidman had won the best actress prize at the film festival for her role in the film.
“Today I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after, that my beautiful, brave mother Janelle Ann Kidman has just passed,” Reijn, 38, read on Nicole’s behalf. “I am in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her, she shaped me, she guided me and she made me.”
The statement continued, “I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina, the collision of life and art is heart-breaking, and my heart is broken.”
While a cause of death for Janelle, who is survived by daughters Nicole and Antonia, 54, has not been made public, a rep for the Oscar winner told Us Weekly at the time that Nicole was “heartbroken” by the news.
“The family is heartbroken and asks for privacy at this time,” Kidman’s spokesperson told Us in a statement.
The sisters took to Instagram on September 12 to share a joint post thanking friends and fans for their well wishes during such a difficult time.
“My sister and I along with our family want to thank you for the outpouring of love and kindness we have felt this week,” Nicole and Antonia wrote. “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. Thank you from our whole family for respecting our privacy as we take care of each other ❤️”
