Nicole Kidman’s illustrious career was recognized when she received the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award in April—but she has now apologized for making an error during her acceptance speech.
The Australian actor has captivated Hollywood for more than three decades, as she has starred in hit films such as Moulin Rouge, The Hours, Rabbit Hole and the soon-to-be-released movie Babygirl. She has also starred in high-profile television series like Big Little Lies, Expats, The Undoing, and the upcoming The Perfect Couple.
Considered one of the most legendary actors in Hollywood, Kidman has been honored with numerous accolades throughout her career. This includes an Academy Award for best actress in 2003—making her the first Australian to win in that category— two Primetime Emmy Awards and six Golden Globe Awards. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Adding to her long list of awards and accomplishments, Kidman won the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, but regrets the fact that she forgot to include some of the directors she has worked with in her speech.
Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Kidman for comment on Wednesday.
Nicole Kidman on December 6, 2021, in Los Angeles. She regrets the fact that she forgot to include some of the directors she has worked with in her AFI Lifetime Achievement speech.
Rich Fury/Getty Images
“There are a lot of directors on that list and I left a few off. I left James Wan off, which was devastating to me,” she told L’Officiel magazine.
She worked with Wan on 2018’s Aquaman and the sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, released in 2023.
Elsewhere in the interview, Kidman said traveling to various countries to film and her philanthropic efforts have provided her with an invaluable education.
“It’s given me an empathetic heart and a way into people’s lives that I never would have been exposed to [otherwise]. Documentaries do that; articles do that. I read a lot, too. I don’t think existing only in your own territory is good,” she said.
“Always reaching out to understand, learn, and see different perspectives is how I was raised. That’s probably why I travel. It gives me a greater understanding of how people view their country in relation to the world.”
Kidman was presented the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award by Meryl Streep, who previously won the award herself, and praised Kidman’s formidable talent. Kidman accepted the honor to a standing ovation and during her 15-minute speech, she thanked the long list of directors she’s worked with.
The actor said she and Jane Campion—the director who cast her in The Portrait of a Lady—were “friends for life.” She honored Australian director Phillip Noyce, who cast her in her breakout role in Dead Calm (1989), and thanked Gus Van Sant, who directed her in To Die For (1995). Kidman also honored Stephen Daldry, who directed her in her Oscar-winning performance in The Hours (2002).
The list of names doesn’t end there, as she thanked Lars von Trier, Alejandro Amenábar, Jonathan Glazer, Noah Baumbach, Mimi Leder, John Cameron Mitchell, among others.
In addition, Kidman paid tribute to the late directors with whom she has collaborated, including Sydney Pollack, Joel Schumacher, Tony Scott, Nora Ephron and Anthony Minghella.
“It is a privilege to make films and glorious to have made films and television with these storytellers who allowed me to run wild and be free and play all of these unconventional women,” Kidman said during her speech.
“Thank you for making me better at my craft and giving me a place, however temporary, in this world. Thank you for inviting me into your movie families. Thank you for my childhood dream that became a reality.”
