Nicole Kidman has opened up about the relentless pressure to embody the epitome of "perfection." Following her accolade as one of Time Magazine's prestigious 13 "Women of the Year," the esteemed actress unveiled a compliment she frequently receives yet deeply loathes. "People constantly label me as a 'superwoman,'" Kidman confided to the publication, "and I absolutely detest it."
During the conversation, Kidman delved into Hollywood's unyielding pursuit of perfection from female directors, actresses, and producers across every venture. Amidst the fervor of the #MeToo movement in 2017, Kidman pledged to collaborate with a woman director every 18 months. Her commitment has surpassed that benchmark; she has since joined forces with 19 women directors, either as a producer or an actress, in various projects.
"Change is possible," Kidman insisted, "but it can only materialize through active participation in women-directed films."
Her latest endeavor, the erotic thriller "Babygirl," was helmed by Dutch writer and actress Halina Reijn. In a January interview with Vogue, Reijn elaborated on her profound bond with Kidman and the "spiritual experience" of witnessing the "Eyes Wide Shut" star in action. "I've never felt such an instant connection with another human being," Reijn revealed. "Our approaches to life and work share a striking similarity. We both thrive on control and meticulously prepare for our roles."
Despite "Babygirl" receiving a resounding six-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and securing Kidman the Volpi Cup for Best Actress, neither the film nor its leading lady garnered any Oscar nominations. Recently typecast as the slowly unraveling matriarch, the 57-year-old Kidman expressed her yearning for a role that doesn't portray her as an ostensibly perfect wife from the outset.
"I am eagerly open to embarking on something chaotic and shattered from the very beginning," Kidman enthused. "Where are these roles? Bring me the scripts."
