NEWSNicole Kidman Was Willing to Throw Her 'Career Away' at 23 for Tom Cruise: ‘We Fell Madly in Love’
Nicole Kidman reflected on marrying Tom Cruise at a young age and putting their love ahead of career concerns.
Aug. 13 2026, Published 2:42 p.m. ET
Nicole Kidman reflected on her whirlwind marriage to Tom Cruise, revealing she was willing to put her career second at 23.
"I’m like, 'I don’t care. I’m in love. I want to be married.' Then, I was his 'wife' and they were like, 'See, we told you.' I’m like, 'So what? I wasn’t meant to marry the man I love? Of course I’ll throw my career away. I don’t care,'" Kidman, 59, recalled in her British Vogue profile published Thursday, August 13.
"I remember people saying to me, 'OK, well this is really going to affect your career,'" Kidman added.
Nicole Kidman Put Love Before Her Career
Nicole Kidman looked back on her early marriage to Tom Cruise and the choices she made while deeply in love.
Kidman met Cruise, 64, while working on 1990’s Days of Thunder, and the pair married later that year. Reflecting on their relationship, the actress said their connection was immediate and uncomplicated.
"We just fell madly in love and it was that simple," Kidman expressed.
At the time, she was focused on her relationship rather than the potential impact the marriage could have on her professional life.
"Yeah, I got married so young," she said.
She continued, "Suddenly, I was 22, 23 years old and I had this huge movie star husband, but it just seemed completely natural."
Kidman and Cruise shared two children during their marriage before divorcing in 2001. The actress later built an acclaimed career in Hollywood while also finding love again with country singer Keith Urban.
Nicole Kidman Embraced a Feelings-First Approach
Nicole Kidman discussed her 'feelings-first' approach to life while reflecting on major changes in her personal journey.
Kidman and Urban married in 2006 and share two daughters. The pair separated in January 2025 after being married for 19 years.
"I’ve approached my whole life like that," she said, noting that she tends to maintain a "feelings-first" approach.
- 'I Was Struggling': Nicole Kidman Admits She Was Going Through an 'Emotional Time' After Tom Cruise Divorce
- Nicole Kidman Believes Husband Keith Urban 'Essentially Saved Her From a Life of Loneliness'
- Who Has Nicole Kidman Dated? Inside Her Love Life as Pals Urge Actress to Date Multimillionaire Businessman Paul Salem
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
Nicole Kidman opened up about adapting to an unexpected future following her divorce from Keith Urban.
"That’s just who I am. I don’t overthink things and I’m probably not that analytical. I’m far more feeling-centred and I lead with my heart. I just go, 'OK, what do I feel here? I’ll give it a go.' It throws people, because I think they think I’ll be far more measured and I’m not," Kidman said.
She continued, "I can still approach things intellectually, but my desire is not to be ruled by my head. I’ve always wanted to live a well-examined life, so what does that entail? Trying things, making mistakes, failing, getting back up, moving on, embracing love, staying open, keeping the heart open and the possibilities."
Nicole Kidman Looked Toward an Unknown Future
Nicole Kidman reflected on love, marriage, career choices and the uncertain future she faced after divorce.
Kidman admitted she "didn't expect" her separation from Urban, but was ready to face the uncertainty of what comes next.
"I had a different view of what my life was going to be, but this is what it is now," Kidman said.
She continued, "You make all these plans and you have all these ideas of what it’s all going to be like and then it’s … not. You have to adjust. You adapt. The future, it’s completely unknown to me right now."
