NICOLE KIDMAN - Breaking boundaries

AMID HER GRIEF, THE STAR HAS FOUND THE STRENGTH TO CHALLENGE EXPECTATIONS AND CREATE SOME OF HER FINEST WORK YET

- Jenny Cooney

In early January, four months after Nicole Kidman tragically lost her mother, Janelle, the Australian actress graciously spoke to WHO from the comfort of her Nashville home. Curled up on a cream-coloured sofa, wearing a shiny blue blouse and cradling a much-needed cup of coffee that her husband, Keith Urban, had just delivered, Kidman delved into her current career peak, which has seen her - at the unexpected age of 57 - more in demand than ever.

In this past year alone, the five-time Oscar nominee and one-time winner - has starred in three major TV shows: The Expats, The Perfect Couple and Lioness. But while Kidman admits that dealing with her grief and loss has been a devastating journey, she's never been one to shy away from confronting life or art head-on. Which brings us to Babygirl, the bold thriller written and directed by Dutch actress Halina Reijn that landed Kidman a recent Golden Globe nomination and has generated Oscar buzz.

Critics have hailed Kidman's role in Babygirl-playing a married woman in a dominant-submissive affair with a brazen young intern (Harris Dickinson) - as her boldest performance yet. As Romy, she explores an inner fantasy life hidden from her husband (Antonio Banderas) that threatens to blow up her seemingly perfect life when she dares to explore those secret desires.

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