Keith Urban detailed a dark period in his and Nicole Kidman’s marriage during an emotional speech one year before their bombshell separation.
The country singer told AFI Life Achievement Award Gala attendees in April 2024 about the time he nearly “blew” up their relationship.
The “American Idol” judge, who wed Kidman in June 2006, explained that his substance abuse struggles came to a head “barely four months into” their union.
“My addictions … that I’d done really nothing about, blew our marriage to smithereens,” Urban, 57, recalled. “Four months into a marriage, I’m in rehab for three months.
“I had no idea what was going to happen to us,” he continued at the time. “And if you want to see what love in action really looks like, give that a whirl.”
Urban praised the actress, 58, for sticking by him during the tough period.
“Nic pushed through every negative voice, I’m sure even some of her own, and she chose love,” he continued as Kidman teared up in the audience. “And here we are tonight, 18 years later.”
The duo’s daughters — Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14 — were present at the event.
Urban told audience members that the teens girls were “very lucky to be learning” from Kidman, noting that he felt the same way.
“I’ve actually never met anyone who has such a passion for being alive,” he added. “She knows the importance of expressing feelings.”
Urban has yet to speak out since news broke Monday of him and Kidman calling it quits after nearly 20 years of marriage.
The pair’s last joint appearance was at a FIFA Club World Cup 2025 game in June.
That same month, Kidman acknowledged their 19th anniversary in a touching Instagram tribute — and Urban, notably, did not post one of his own.
Instead, the Grammy winner commented on his partner’s post with a heart emoji.
Kidman was previously married to Tom Cruise from 1990 to 2001, with whom she adopted daughter Isabella, 32, and son Connor, 30.
