In the glittering world of Hollywood, where fame and fortune often come hand-in-hand with intense scrutiny, few couples have managed to maintain a facade of unbreakable bliss quite like Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban. Married for nearly 19 years, the Australian actress and New Zealand-born country music superstar have long been hailed as one of Tinseltown’s most enduring power pairs. Their storybook romance—complete with a fairy-tale wedding in Sydney, two beautiful daughters, and a shared life between Nashville and Sydney—has inspired countless fans. But recent events have cast a shadow over their seemingly perfect union. Whispers of marital strain have grown louder following Nicole’s bold performance in the erotic thriller Babygirl, where she shares explicit sex scenes with her much younger co-star, Harris Dickinson. At 58, Kidman plays a powerful CEO entangled in a passionate affair with Dickinson’s 28-year-old intern, and the film’s steamy content has reportedly left her husband, Keith Urban, grappling with jealousy. As of August 16, 2025, sources close to the couple suggest that these scenes have ignited tensions, prompting questions about whether their marriage is truly as solid as it appears or if it’s beginning to crack under the pressure of Hollywood’s demands.

The controversy erupted in early July 2025 when Keith Urban abruptly ended a radio interview after being pressed about his wife’s intimate on-screen moments. During a Zoom appearance on an Australian radio show, the host innocently—or perhaps provocatively—asked Urban how he felt about Kidman’s sex scenes in films, specifically referencing her work with younger men like Zac Efron in past projects and now Harris Dickinson in Babygirl. Urban, known for his laid-back demeanor, responded with a polite but firm deflection before disconnecting from the call entirely. “We upset him,” the host later claimed on air, adding fuel to the fire of speculation. Fans and media outlets alike were quick to interpret this as a sign of deeper issues, with headlines screaming about potential jealousy and marital discord. Could the man who has serenaded his wife with love songs for nearly two decades really be rattled by her professional choices?

To understand the full context, it’s essential to delve into Babygirl, the film at the center of the storm. Directed by Halina Reijn, the movie premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September 2024 and has since generated buzz for its bold exploration of power dynamics, desire, and taboo relationships. Kidman stars as Romy, a high-powered executive who embarks on a risky affair with her intern, Samuel, played by Dickinson. The film features several explicit sex scenes, including moments of intense passion that Kidman herself described as “raw” and “vulnerable” in interviews. In a candid chat with Vanity Fair in October 2024, Kidman admitted that filming these scenes was so immersive that she had to pause production at times because she “didn’t want to orgasm anymore.” She elaborated, “I was like, ‘I hate doing this. I’m over it.’” This level of candor from Kidman, while empowering for her as an actress, has reportedly been a point of discomfort for Urban, who has always been supportive but is said to struggle with the public nature of her on-screen intimacy.

Insiders close to the couple have painted a picture of a marriage under strain. According to sources speaking to Daily Mail in July 2025, Urban’s walkout was not just a momentary lapse but a symptom of ongoing tensions. “Keith has always been Nicole’s biggest cheerleader, but seeing her in these scenes with much younger men is tough for him,” one source claimed. “He’s secure in their love, but the constant media attention and fan speculation make it hard to ignore.” The age gap between Kidman and Dickinson—30 years—has only amplified the rumors, with tabloids suggesting that Urban feels “threatened” by the youthful energy of her co-stars. Dickinson, a rising British actor known for roles in Triangle of Sadness and The Iron Claw, has spoken glowingly of Kidman, calling her “incredible” and “fearless” in interviews, which some outlets have twisted into fodder for jealousy narratives.

Urban’s reaction during the interview has been dissected endlessly online. The clip, which went viral on YouTube and TikTok, shows him smiling initially before his expression shifts to discomfort. “What does Keith Urban think about Nicole Kidman doing sex scenes?” the host asked, prompting Urban to reply, “I think we’re done here,” before logging off. Comment sections exploded with opinions, ranging from support—”Good for him, that’s invasive!”—to speculation—”Is their marriage in trouble?” The incident recalled similar moments in celebrity history, like Tom Cruise’s discomfort with Kidman’s scenes in Eyes Wide Shut during their marriage. For Urban and Kidman, who have weathered Keith’s addiction struggles early in their marriage, this new challenge tests their bond in a very public way.

The couple’s history provides crucial context to these rumors. Kidman and Urban met at the G’Day USA Gala in Los Angeles in January 2005, where sparks flew immediately. Kidman, fresh off her divorce from Tom Cruise in 2001, was drawn to Urban’s down-to-earth charm and musical talent. Urban, who had battled substance abuse in the past, found in Kidman a partner who understood the demands of fame. They married on June 25, 2006, in a romantic ceremony in Sydney, Australia, attended by close friends like Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe. Their early years were not without trials; just four months after the wedding, Urban entered rehab for alcohol addiction, a period Kidman later described as “very painful” but ultimately strengthening. “We got through it together,” she told Vanity Fair in 2019. Urban credited Kidman with saving him, dedicating songs like “Got It Right This Time” to her during concerts.

Their family life has been a source of stability. The couple welcomed daughter Sunday Rose in 2008 and Faith Margaret in 2010 via gestational surrogate. They divide their time between homes in Sydney, Nashville, and Los Angeles, blending Kidman’s acting career with Urban’s music tours. Urban, a four-time Grammy winner with hits like “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and “The Fighter,” has often spoken of Kidman as his muse. “She’s my everything,” he said in a 2024 interview. Kidman, an Oscar winner for The Hours (2002), has echoed this, calling Urban her “anchor” in the chaotic world of Hollywood.

Yet, Kidman’s career choices have occasionally sparked tension. Her role in Babygirl is not the first time she’s embraced provocative parts. In Eyes Wide Shut (1999), she filmed explicit scenes with Cruise, which strained their marriage. More recently, in the HBO series Big Little Lies and The Undoing, Kidman has explored themes of sexuality and power. Urban has publicly supported her, but private sources suggest he sometimes “winces” at the more graphic content. In a 2024 Daily Mail report, an insider revealed Urban’s “trick” for coping: focusing on the artistic aspect rather than the personal. “He knows it’s just work, but it’s not always easy,” the source said. This admission adds layers to the current rumors, suggesting that while Urban is secure, the constant public dissection of Kidman’s scenes takes a toll.

Dickinson’s involvement has intensified the speculation. At 28, he’s three decades younger than Kidman, creating a dynamic that mirrors the film’s plot of an older woman seduced by a younger man. Dickinson, in interviews, has praised Kidman’s professionalism, calling the scenes “intense but safe.” Kidman has been equally complimentary, telling Entertainment Weekly in October 2024 that working with Dickinson was “electrifying.” Such comments, while innocent, have been twisted by tabloids into hints of off-screen chemistry, fueling jealousy rumors. “Keith trusts Nicole, but the age difference and the nature of the scenes make it hard not to feel a twinge,” a source told Us Weekly in July 2025.

Urban’s walkout has been interpreted in various ways. Some see it as a protective gesture, shielding their marriage from invasive questions. Others view it as evidence of underlying insecurity. The radio host’s follow-up comments—”We upset him”—only amplified the drama, leading to a backlash against the interviewer for insensitivity. Social media exploded with debates, with hashtags like #TeamKeith and #NicoleAndKeith trending. “Keith’s reaction shows how much he loves her—he doesn’t want their private life dissected,” one fan tweeted. Another countered, “If the marriage is strong, why walk out? Sounds like trouble.”

The couple’s response has been measured. Kidman addressed the rumors indirectly in a Variety interview in August 2025, saying, “Keith is my biggest supporter—he knows the difference between film and reality.” Urban, during a concert in Nashville, dedicated a song to Kidman, telling the crowd, “She’s the strongest woman I know.” These public affirmations have helped quell some speculation, but the rumors persist, especially with Babygirl‘s release scheduled for December 2025. Trailers featuring the steamy scenes have already gone viral, prompting renewed questions about how Urban feels.

Friends of the couple insist the marriage is solid. “They’ve been through worse,” a source told People in July 2025, referencing Urban’s rehab stint and Kidman’s past divorce. The couple’s shared values—family, privacy, and mutual respect—have been their anchor. They co-parent their daughters, Sunday and Faith, away from the spotlight, often retreating to their Nashville farm for downtime. Urban’s music career, with his High and Alive World Tour wrapping in late 2025, and Kidman’s film slate, including upcoming projects like Spellbound, keep them busy, but they prioritize date nights and family vacations.

Still, the age gap in Babygirl has struck a nerve. At 58, Kidman is defying Hollywood’s ageism by embracing sensual roles, a move praised by feminists but potentially challenging for Urban, 57. “It’s not the scenes themselves—it’s the media frenzy,” another insider said. The film’s director, Halina Reijn, defended the content, calling it “empowering” for women of all ages. Kidman has echoed this, telling The Guardian in 2024, “I’m proud to portray desire at my age—it’s real and it’s powerful.”

As the release of Babygirl approaches, the rumors show no sign of abating. Will the film strengthen or strain their marriage further? Only time will tell. For now, Kidman and Urban continue to present a united front, attending events together and sharing loving posts on social media. Their 19th anniversary celebration in June 2025, with a cozy photo of them embracing, seemed to rebut the speculation. “Happy Anniversary, Baby,” Kidman captioned, with Urban replying, “Forever.”

In conclusion, the rumors surrounding Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s marriage, sparked by her steamy scenes in Babygirl with a younger co-star, highlight the unique pressures faced by celebrity couples. While some see cracks, others view it as a testament to their strength. After all, they’ve survived addiction, distance, and Hollywood’s glare for nearly two decades. As one fan put it, “If they can handle this, they can handle anything.” Whether the tremors are real or just tabloid hype, one thing is certain: Kidman and Urban’s love story remains one of Hollywood’s most captivating tales.