How Nicole Kidman reacted when Keith Urban entered substance abuse treatment

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban may appear to have a flawless marriage, but behind closed doors, they’ve encountered their share of hurdles.

One of the most challenging periods in their relationship occurred when Keith Urban needed to enter rehab, putting their marriage to the test in ways that few can fully understand.

Married since 2006, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are proud parents to two lovely daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret. Their relationship is often celebrated as one of Hollywood’s most endearing, with the couple frequently seen displaying affection at public events and speaking warmly of each other in interviews.

Interestingly, although both were born in Australia, their paths never crossed until they met at a gala in Los Angeles. The chemistry was undeniable, and they exchanged phone numbers—though Keith Urban didn’t call Nicole right away.

“I had such a crush on him, and he wasn’t interested in me. It’s true!” Kidman shared with Ellen DeGeneres in 2017.

Eventually, the two began dating, spending more time together in New York. It was during this time that Nicole Kidman realized Keith Urban was the man she wanted to marry and build a family with. A particularly unforgettable moment confirmed to her that she had indeed found the love of her life.

For Nicole Kidman’s 38th birthday, Keith Urban planned a special surprise that would leave a lasting impression. At the crack of dawn, he appeared on the steps of her apartment at 5 a.m., holding a bouquet of gardenias.

“That’s when I realized, ‘This is the man I want to marry,’” Nicole shared with People in 2019, adding, “By then, I was certain he was the love of my life.”

The couple exchanged vows in a romantic ceremony at the Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel, located on the picturesque grounds of St. Patrick’s Estate in Manly, Sydney.

Their wedding was a true fairy tale, a grand celebration that left guests in awe. As a heartfelt gesture, each guest received a silver Tiffany desk clock engraved with the words, “A Moment in Time, June 25, 2006, Nicole & Keith.” After the enchanting ceremony, the newlyweds whisked off to French Polynesia for a dream honeymoon. But was their relationship really as perfect as it appeared?

Keith Urban’s struggles with substance abuse
Reflecting on the whirlwind romance between Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, it’s evident that everything moved at lightning speed. They met, fell in love, and tied the knot all within the span of a year. However, just four months after their fairy tale wedding in Sydney, they faced a devastating challenge that would shake the foundation of their marriage.

“We got married in June 2006, and just four months into our marriage, my addictions [to alcohol and cocaine] blew our marriage to smithereens,” Keith, 56, revealed at a public event earlier this year.

The New Zealand-born Australian country music star had battled these issues for years, but it wasn’t until after marrying Nicole Kidman that he fully realized the severity of his problems.

Keith’s struggles began when he moved to Nashville in the 1990s and started making a name for himself as an artist. In those early years, he heavily relied on alcohol and cocaine to cope with the pressures of his rising career. In a candid revelation from his book Fake News, Vernon Rust, Keith Urban’s former songwriting partner, recounted how they once embarked on an extravagant spree, spending a staggering $320,000 on cocaine during an epic binge in the late 1990s.

In the 1990s, Keith Urban delved into the dangerous world of freebase cocaine—a more potent form of crack cocaine—after a roommate introduced him to the drug. Despite multiple attempts to break free from his addiction, Keith repeatedly found himself returning to alcohol, unable to resist its lure.

“My father was an alcoholic, so I grew up in an environment surrounded by alcohol, and it took me a long time to realize that I was predisposed in the same way,” he told The Times.

Being a country music star while trying to abstain from alcohol presented its own unique challenges. The entertainment industry is filled with temptations, and alcohol has long been intertwined with the culture of concerts and after-parties. This constant exposure made it incredibly difficult for Keith to maintain his sobriety.

“I don’t talk about it much because I want my audience to just come and have a great time. I have nothing against drugs or alcohol. People do what they need to do to enjoy themselves,” he shared, adding, “I just realized I’m allergic to it. Someone once asked, ‘You have an allergy? What happens when you drink?’ And I replied, ‘I break out in handcuffs.'”

The Intervention
Despite Keith’s deep desire to overcome his addiction, it was evident that he struggled to stay on the right path. Whether his issues escalated after his marriage to Nicole Kidman is unclear, but what is certain is that Nicole eventually had to stage an intervention for her husband.

“I was responsible for the near destruction of my new marriage,” Keith admitted, describing himself as a “real binge drinker.”

“She (Nicole) really could have just walked away. I’m so grateful she didn’t. Instead, she made the decision to turn around and initiate what ultimately became an intervention,” Keith revealed in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

In October 2006, just four months into their marriage, the Grammy-winning singer checked into a rehabilitation center to address his drug and alcohol abuse. At that moment, Keith was facing a significant crisis and was uncertain about what the future held for him and Nicole.

“I deeply regret the pain this has caused Nicole and those who love and support me,” Keith expressed in a public statement.

Yet, Nicole Kidman, who was 57 at the time, never abandoned her husband during his darkest hour.

“Nicole stood by Keith during a very difficult time in his life. What he did—seeking help—was incredibly courageous and brave, and she recognized that,” a source told In Touch.

Simultaneously, Nicole was dealing with her own struggles. Still reeling from a tumultuous divorce from Tom Cruise, where the aftermath had been anything but smooth, she now found herself in a new relationship where she had to once again navigate her partner’s battles.

According to Nicole, she and Keith were in “a very, very, very bad, painful place,” and it was uncertain whether they could save their relationship. Reflecting on the early months of their marriage, Nicole told Vanity Fair:

“I’m more than willing to walk this path with him. We are both deeply committed to our relationship. But it was painful, deeply painful.”

After spending 90 days in the clinic, Keith finally received the tools he needed to manage his addiction. However, none of it would have been possible without Nicole’s unwavering support. Following his rehabilitation, the couple took a romantic getaway to St. Barts, marking a new chapter in their relationship.

“Nic pushed past every negative voice, including some that might have come from within herself, and she chose love. And here we are tonight, 18 years later. Her ability to love is unlike anyone I’ve ever known,” Keith reflects.

Staying sober

After completing his stay at a rehab center in California, Keith Urban set out on the road again, embarking on a tour that would mark a pivotal moment in his life.

He managed to break free from the destructive cycle and has remained sober ever since—a truly remarkable achievement.

“I was finally able to make the right choice in my life, one that I wish my father (Robert Urban, who passed away in 2015) could have made,” he shared.

Together with Nicole, Keith welcomed two children, and their initially tumultuous period only served to deepen their connection. In April of this year, Nicole Kidman publicly reaffirmed her enduring love for Keith.

“I’m so lucky to have Keith, who is truly my love, my deep, deep love,” she expressed to People.

Today, as a father of two, Keith Urban offers valuable advice to those struggling with addiction and the journey to sobriety. The most important lesson he learned was the significance of reaching out for help, and this is the key piece of advice he shares with anyone facing similar challenges.

“Everyone gets overwhelmed at times, but it’s when you think you can handle it alone and don’t reach out for help that the end is near,” Keith Urban told Best Life.

Being a father to two daughters also provides powerful motivation for Keith Urban to stay committed to sobriety. His dedication to his family and his desire to be a positive role model for his girls drive him to remain focused on his recovery.

“I still don’t know if I’m getting it right… I’ve made so many mistakes, but you have to figure out what works for you. My message to them is always to pursue whatever they are passionate about—I don’t care what it is, as long as they work hard to achieve it,” he told The Sun in 2022.

With his marriage to Nicole Kidman, his role as a father, and his ongoing sobriety, Keith Urban continues to inspire others who are facing similar struggles.

His story serves as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, there is hope, and with the right support and determination, a brighter future is always possible.