There is possibly no other woman in the history of the film business who has so carefully cultivated her aura of callousness and impenetrability. Nicole Kidman’s alabaster skin, piercing blue eyes and general stoicism all combine to create the ultimate fortress of impassivity. Did Tom Cruise make her that way or did she always have a propensity toward unflappability? It’s difficult to say, but, either way, her stoicism has only improved over the years.
Kidman’s first film role, Bush Christmas, came to her when she was sixteen, and from there, the offers didn’t stop. Her youthful start could very well be part of the reason she remains largely unfazed by anything. It was in 1990 with Days of Thunder, co-starring Tom Cruise, that Kidman made an effortless transition into the hearts of American audiences. This ultimately led into her A-list status as one-half of one of Hollywood’s most talked about power couples.
After a few awkward roles in the 90s (including Batman Forever and The Peacemaker), Kidman made a seamless metamorphosis into sought after award-winning actress after her role as Satine in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! This elevated her to an unstoppable powerhouse in movies like The Hours, The Others, Cold Mountain and The Paperboy. The key to it all? Utter detachment.