Keith Urban on Past Nicole Kidman Marriage Troubles

Keith Urban Previously Shared Difficult Period in Nicole Kidman Marriage

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman have navigated rough waters in their marriage before.

More than a year before the couple’s separation, the country singer shared how his past battle with addiction led to a challenging period early in their relationship.

“We got married in June 2006,” Keith, 57, said in a speech honoring Nicole, 58, at the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala in April 2024, according to People, “and barely four months into our marriage, my addictions… that I’d done really nothing about, blew our marriage to smithereens.”

After embarking on a three-month stay in rehab just four months into the marriage, the Grammy winner—who shares daughters Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14, with Nicole—recalled feeling uncertain about whether his wife would stay by his side.

“I had no idea what was going to happen to us… and if you want to see what love in action really looks like, give that a whirl,” he continued. “Nic pushed through every negative voice, I’m sure even some of her own and she chose love. And here we are tonight, 18 years later.”

But earlier this year, Keith was less eager to discuss his relationship. During an interview with Australian radio station Mix 102.3’s Hayley & Max in the Morning, he abruptly tapped out of the conversation when the topic turned to the Oscar winner’s 2024 romcom A Family Affair, in which she starred opposite Zac Efron.

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“The first thing I thought of with your beautiful wife, Nicole Kidman, being on so many great movies, TV shows all the time,” host Max Burford asked Keith during the interview. “What does Keith Urban think when he sees his beautiful wife with beautiful younger men like Zac Efron having these beautiful love scenes on TV and radio?”

Within seconds, Keith disappeared from the virtual call.

“He’s disconnected from Zoom,” a radio staff member told Max and his cohost Hayley Peterson. “I think his team hung up on us because they didn’t want us to ask that question.”

For a look back at happier times in Keith and Nicole’s romance, keep reading.

Keith Urban/Instagram

Grand Ole Love

Keith Urban held hands with Nicole Kidman in November 2024 as they walked into Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, where the country singer performed that night.

Instagram/Keith Urban

18th Anniversary in 2024

Keith shared this photo of himself serenading Nicole in an Instagram tribute honoring their 18th wedding anniversary.

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2024 AFI Life Achievement Award Gala

It was a family affair for the couple, who were joined by their daughters Sunday Rose (in the floral dress) and Faith Margaret (in the orange gown) at the red carpet event.

Also along for the ride? Nicole’s niece Sybella Hawley, sister Antonia Kidman and brother-in-law Craig Marran.

Instagram / Keith Urban

Sweet 16th Anniversary in 2022

Keith shared this selfie on the couple’s 16th anniversary.

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2021 CMA Awards

The actress lovingly touched her husband’s face on the red carpet.

2020 Golden Globes

Keith sweetly held Nicole’s hand at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards, where she was nominated in the Best Actress in a TV Series (Drama) category for her work in Big Little Lies.

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2019 ACM Awards

This cute moment between the couple was captured at the 2019 ACM Awards.

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2019 Australian Open

The actress cuddled up to her husband during the semi-finals match at the Australian Open.

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2018 CMA Awards

The fan-favorite couple embraced after Keith’s win at the 2018 CMA Awards.

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2018 American Songbook Gala

Nicole and Keith embraced onstage during Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Gala.

John Shearer/Getty Images for the Country Music Association

2018 CMAs Selfie

#Selfie! The country singer and actress posed for a picture at the CMA Awards.

John Salangsang/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images

2017 Emmys

In this 2017 Emmy Awards pic, it was Keith’s turn to look down as Nicole leaned in.

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2017 Oscars

The duo was back to staring into each other’s eyes, but Nicole made this pic even more sweet by placing her hands on Keith’s face.

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2017 Film Premiere

The two looked infatuated with each other on the red carpet at the premiere of The Killing of a Sacred Deer.

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2017 CMT Artists Of The Year Event

Keith and Nicole shared a sweet moment at the country music gathering.

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2017 PDA

The A-list couple shared an intimate kiss in this adorable Facebook picture.

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2016 ACM Awards

In this pic, the couple gave a variation of their signature pose. Instead of staring into each other’s eyes, Nicole looked down as Keith leaned in to whisper in her ear.

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2016 SAG Awards

This candid pic proves that the couple does this pose IRL and not just on the red carpet.

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2015 American Idol Finale

The couple strike their signature pose—leaning in and staring into each other’s eyes.

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2015 London Evening Standard Theatre Awards

The Hollywood couple share a tender moment in front of the cameras.

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2013 Cannes Film Festival

Keith and Nicole only had eyes for each other at the film event.