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Both Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman have forged successful careers in Hollywood.
Of course, Naomi has starred in hit films, like 21 Grams, Mulholland Drive, King Kong and The Impossible, and has been nominated for two Oscars.
And Nicole has starred in critically acclaimed television series, like Big Little Lies and Expats, and been the lead in multiple blockbusters, like Moulin Rouge, Paddington, and The Hours, winning the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the latter film.
Throw in the fact that they’re both blonde Australian women in their 50s, there’s just no denying Naomi and Nicole are very similar – so it’s natural to wonder:
‘Are Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman friends?’
And as a matter of fact, they are friends; close ones at that!
Naomi and Nicole first met in the early 1980s, before either one of them had found fame.
While speaking at the ceremony held in honour of Nicole winning the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award, Naomi shared the charming story of how she met Nicole.
“So my friend Nicole Kidman, who I met when we were 15 years old; I want to talk about friendship tonight because I know we’re going to hear a lot about her work, which is gargantuan and substantial,” Naomi began.
“But we met when we were both 15-ish. We were from the North Shore in Sydney,” she continued.
“We dreamed the same dreams, pretty much laying the road map to where we are now here in Los Angeles, decades deep into our friendship. So, we met in a waiting room for a casting call.
“Now, for this particular audition, they had us waiting in our bathing suits. Yeah. While the photographers would have this nice discussion about who was right for the part, it was awkward standing around for about two hours waiting for them to decide,” Naomi continued, setting the scene.
“But soon enough Nic and I got comfy. We started chatting. We covered everything – what movies we loved, what friends we had in common, our parents, schools, parties, boyfriends, teenage stuff, you know?
“And then the photographers politely came out and said, we could go home, we could get dressed and we could go home. Because it turns out that two lanky, flat chested teenage girls just didn’t make [the cut] for an 80s swimsuit commercial.
“And it was dark outside by now, and I was suddenly scared because I knew I’d missed the last bus. Back in the stone age, we didn’t have cell phones or Uber accounts, and no, our mums were not waiting for us outside.
“But Nic offered to spring for a taxi, and she said she would drop me on the way home, even though it was 20 minutes out of her way, and it was an extra $15 on the meter. And this is where I’m going here. Nic has always been the most generous person,” Naomi concluded.
Isn’t that an incredible story?!
And that was only the beginning of a decades-long friendship between the two…
Here are the sweetest moments Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman have shared over the years:
01
In September 2024, Naomi shared that Nicole ‘checked in’ with her before committing to The Perfect Couple – for context, Nicole stars opposite Naomi’s ex-partner Liev Schreiber in the series and the two have an intimate scene.
“We always check in, we’re besties… That was very kind of her to do that.” Naomi told Entertainment Tonight.
02
In June 2024, Naomi took to Instagram to wish Nicole a happy birthday. “I love you so much,” she wrote.
03
Nicole shared this adorable throwback picture on Instagram in April 2024.
04
The friends embraced so sweetly during the Women In Film 2015 Crystal + Lucy Awards.
05
Naomi and Nicole were seen holding hands at the premiere of The Ring in 2002; so cute!
