Talk about a power couple! The veteran actor Nicole Kidman rose to prominence
in the late 1980s and 1990s with films such as Batman Forever and Eyes Wide Shut — officially
solidifying her place amongst the Hollywood greats throughout her illustrious career.
Country music star and hubby Keith Urban, on the other hand,
grinded throughout the '90s to make a name for himself.
Releasing a self-titled album in 1991, the record did well in his native Australia and pushed him to
greener pastures in Nashville, Tennessee. There, he worked as a session musician before ending
the decade with his self-titled American debut, launching him into the stratosphere of country
music stardom. The duo first met at G'Day LA in 2005, and while the couple eventually hit it off,
they did play a bit of emotional tag at first. Kidman told Ellen DeGeneres in 2017:
"I remember thinking, I had such a crush on him, and he wasn't interested in me."
In 2010, Urban told Oprah Winfrey that he, quote,
"plucked up the courage" to talk to Kidman at the 2005 event. Thankfully,
it all panned out well for both parties involved. But even 11 years and a marriage later,
Keith Urban still finds himself in fear of Nicole Kidman — but for one reason you wouldn't expect.
I Love Lucy is one of the most iconic television series in American history. In fact,
the story of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo is so culturally significant
that soon it is set to be enshrined on-screen with the upcoming film
Being the Ricardos. Javier Bardem will portray Ricky, while Kidman will play Lucy.
While preparing for the part, Kidman fully absorbed the role of Lucy.
The actress revealed she worked with a movement coach to learn Lucy's mannerisms while also
perfecting Lucy's iconic voice, which ultimately proved to be unsettling for husband Keith Urban.
"Does Desi love Lucy loosely? They took time on that."
Kidman stated,
"Vocally, I started with the Lucy voice, [which] was so far out of reach that it was
terrifying. [...] I'd do it for my husband, who has a great ear, 'cause he's a musician,
and he'd be, like, 'Hmmmm.' Kinda scary."
To say Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman have a tight-knit relationship would
be an understatement. Despite his initial trepidation and current fear surrounding Kidman,
Urban's love for his actor wife far outweighs the former. Boasting a 15-year marriage,
the power couple has welcomed two daughters — Sunday Rose and Faith
Margaret — and make no qualms about gushing over each other.
Appearing on Live with Kelly and Ryan in December, Kidman expressed her love for Urban:
"He's my favorite person."
Noting their affinity for "hanging out" with one another,
the actor recalled a story in which Urban flew around the world just to spend a few
hours together amidst her pregnancy with their first daughter. Kidman revealed:
"When I was pregnant with Sunday, he got on a plane to fly to Australia to see the first
ultrasound, and was there for six hours. Saw the heartbeat, and then had to fly back to do a show."
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman tied the knot in June 2006, but the couple soon found themselves
in the woods after Urban's drug addiction spiraled out of control. By October of that year, the Eyes
Wide Shut actor had staged an intervention for Urban — but thankfully, after years of drug abuse,
the singer was able to kick his addictions thanks to Kidman. Urban told Rolling Stone in 2016:
"I caused the implosion of my fresh marriage. It survived, but it's a miracle it did. I was
spiritually awoken with her. I use the expression 'I was born into her,' and that's how I feel."
Additionally, in a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Urban stated,
"I didn't [care] about anything except turning a corner in my life and doing whatever it took
for that. [...] [I'm] very, very blessed to have [Nicole] call an intervention on
me. I had a tight group of friends around me for the intervention. And off I went."
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues,
help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).