Keith Urban Opens Up About His First Meeting With Nicole Kidman and Their Journey of Love

At the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala, country superstar Keith Urban delivered an emotional and heartfelt tribute to his wife, Nicole Kidman, who was being honored with the prestigious 2024 award. During his speech, Urban shared intimate memories from their very first encounter — a story that beautifully blended nervous excitement, admiration, and enduring love.

“Like Meeting a Real-Life Princess”

Urban recalled their first meeting at the G’Day LA event in 2005, where he was instantly captivated by Kidman’s presence. He described feeling as though he had “snuck into the royal ball,” mesmerized by her “truly otherworldly aura.”

“It was like meeting a real-life princess,” Urban confessed. “Despite all of that, I did manage to get her phone number on a tiny piece of paper.”

For a week, he carried that piece of paper in his pocket, too nervous to call. But eventually, he found the courage to reach out — a moment that would mark the beginning of their lifelong bond.

“I was scared. I was nervous to call her. I did, as you probably figured out, pluck up the courage to finally call her.”

During his tribute, Urban reflected on how Kidman, whom he once saw as a “mystic creature,” turned out to be “a wide-eyed, giddy girl from the Sydney suburbs,” deeply grounded in her Australian roots despite being born in Honolulu.

A Rare Family Appearance

The evening was also made special by the presence of the couple’s two teenage daughters, who joined them on the red carpet — a rare public appearance for the family that usually keeps their private life away from the spotlight.

Overcoming Struggles Together

Urban’s speech took a deeply personal turn as he spoke about the challenges they faced early in their marriage. Just four months after their wedding in 2006, Urban entered rehab for substance abuse at the Betty Ford Center, an experience that tested their new relationship.

“We got married in June 2006, and barely four months into our marriage, my addictions that I’d done nothing about blew our marriage to smithereens,” he said candidly. “I went into rehab for three months. I had no idea what was going to happen to us.”

Through tears, Urban expressed profound gratitude for Kidman’s strength, love, and unwavering faith during that dark time.

“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.”

A Love That Endures

Following his recovery, Urban poured his emotions into music, releasing the touching song “Got It Right This Time,” written as a tribute to Kidman and the power of their love.

Nearly two decades later, his words at the AFI Gala reminded everyone that their story — one born of vulnerability, courage, and compassion — remains one of the most genuine romances in both Hollywood and country music.

✨ Watch Keith Urban’s moving speech and performance below, and feel the love that continues to define his life with Nicole Kidman.