Nicole Kidman apologized for maintaining a serious tone backstage Sunday evening after winning a Screen Actors Guild Award for best actress in a miniseries, but said it’s because she was playing a serious character.
Kidman won for her portrayal of an abused wife in the largely female cast of “Big Little Lies,” which she also produced with co-nominee Reese Witherspoon.
Asked whether she thought men should be doing more to combat sexual harassment against women, Kidman struck a conciliatory tone.
“I’ve worked for (United Nations) women … trying to eradicate violence against women … for two decades,” Kidman said. “Can everyone do more? Absolutely.”
The actress said it was an incredible time “for the voices of the voiceless to be heard.”
She also talked about how grateful she was to be an actor.
“I’m very privileged to be given the opportunity to do what I do,” Kidman told the assembled reporters at the Shrine Auditorium. “If you have a passion, if you have something you love, what an incredible gift,” adding that she was “grateful that I found my calling.”
She hailed the performances of actresses and actors who paved the way, mentioning Helen Mirren, and said she was inspired by the work of her contemporaries.
“You look at Frances McDormand, you look at Saoirse Ronan, you look at Margot Robbie right now … there are so many of them,” she said.
She said she watches the work of fellow actors and actresses and “I learn so much” even watching them over and over again.
She also said she wants to give aspiring actors hope.
“You are just one role away,” Kidman said.
Kidman, who won an Oscar for her leading role in “The Hours,” had never won a SAG Award, despite being nominated nine time previously. Among her past nominations were for her lead roles in “Rabbit Hole” and “The Hours,” and for supporting work in “Lion” and “The Paperboy.”
–City News Service