When Nicole Kidman’s marriage to Keith Urban started to crumble last year, she leant heavily on her “ride-or-die” friendships to help her through the darkest of times. Now she’s making sure her longtime friend Deborra-Lee Furness has that same empowering female network to fall back on as she continues to navigate life as a 70-year-old divorcée.
And if that means publicly taking Deb’s side over her ex Hugh Jackman, so be it! An insider tells Woman’s Day, “Nicole’s loyalty has to be with Deb as she’s been a shoulder for her many times throughout the past three years.”
Team Deb, always
The Aussie stars, who have been friends for four decades, have bonded over their heartbreak in recent years – first with Deb’s painful split from Hugh, 57, in 2023 and then Nicole’s separation from Keith, 58, two years later.
At the recent Met Gala, Hugh and his rumoured fiancée Sutton Foster, 51, made their debut as a couple – a move that left Deb shattered – and Nicole, 58, reinforced her loyalty by turning her back on the pair.
“Nicole is firmly Team Deb,” a mutual pal spills.
“Deb was deeply hurt by how everything unfolded and Nicole isn’t interested in pretending otherwise just because Hugh showed up with a new woman on his arm.”
Nicole takes Deb under her wing
She is, however, interested in helping Deb live her best life going forward. With her flawless sense of style and unmatched confidence, Nicole has well and truly nailed the post-divorce glow-up – and she would undoubtedly make the perfect wingwoman at fashion shows and glitzy Hollywood events.
And according to our insider, the Practical Magic actress hopes that some of her newly single nonchalance might rub off on Deb.
Nicole’s mission
“There’s no doubt Nicole took complete control of her divorce and came out of it triumphantly,” her pal tells us.
“She can’t bear to see her dear friend suffer any more than she has to and she’s doing everything she can to get Deb back in charge.”
And that guidance just might include a little matchmaking! Our source says Nicole – who has kept people guessing about her love life after igniting rumours of a romance with her Scarpetta co-star and friend Simon Baker, 56 – is exactly the type of supportive friend that Deb needs by her side as she ventures back into the dating world after decades of married life.
Nicole becomes Deb’s biggest cheerleader
“They’re leaning on each other and with Nicole already boosting up her dating life, it’s hard for Deb to not feel encouraged. She’s still nervous about taking the leap, but Nicole’s one of the key friends in her life helping her take that next step.”
Deb remains Nicole’s priority right now, but insiders say the actress is hoping to one day mend her cherished friendship with her Australia leading man Hugh too.
Keeping her distance
“She’s not ready to start playing nice with Hugh’s new girlfriend,” her pal says.
“Not yet anyway – it’s still too raw and way too soon. “But she is hoping that things between Deb and Hugh will settle down over time, so she doesn’t have to exclude him from her world for too long.”
Nicole would draw the line at accepting a wedding invite from Hugh and Sutton any time in the near future, we’re told.
The Oscar winner’s friend says, “Hugh’s one of her favourite co-stars, and he was always so loyal to her and Keith, but until the situation’s more comfortable with Deb, Nicole’s staying away from Hugh and Sutton – and any wedding they’re planning.”
