"As a daughter, it was my way of helping her through the most traumatic time for us as a family," recalls Kidman.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on November 8, 2021. It has since been updated.
Nicole Kidman truly is one of the kindest actors out there, and a story from her past is proof that she'd go the extra mile for her loved ones.
When Kidman was around 17, her mother was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, her mom needed some care, given how painful and uncomfortable chemotherapy and radiation can be. But, their financial position made it rather hard on them to hire someone to massage her mom, just so it would relieve some of her pain.
The actor knew her mom needed someone to help, but since money was the problem, she decided to become a trained masseuse herself.
“I know, people are shocked by that [that I’m a trained masseuse]. It’s an interesting story because my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 45, I was 17, and I became a masseuse and did a course because we couldn’t afford for her to get massages after her chemo and her radiation," she said in an interview with Byrdie.
“We didn’t have enough money. So I learned to give a massage. And then I really fell in love with giving massages,” Kidman added.
Honestly, Kidman has no regrets about not being able to afford a masseuse, because this experience helped her realize the importance of giving. "And as a daughter, it was my way of helping her through the most traumatic time for us as a family. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to give."
Most of us believe that things have to be over the top when it comes to pleasing someone, but it doesn't always have to be grand gestures; sometimes even the smallest of things, like learning how to give someone a massage, would suffice, adds the Australia star.
"And it doesn’t have to be some grand gesture. It’s just those micro-decisions to be happier. Even just saying thank you, smiling. I love walking down the street and smiling at people. It’s amazing what that does."
Though years have passed since then, Kidman still ensures to help anyone in need. The Australian wildfires in September 2019 wreaked havoc; they destroyed millions of acres of land and claimed the lives of many innocent people. It was a time when people needed all the help they could get and Kidman and her husband Keith Urban made sure to lend a helping hand by donating $500,000 to the Rural Fire Service.
Along with the money, they both shared vital information for those who wanted to donate to the crucial services in Australia which are at the forefront, fighting the wildfires that have killed close to half a billion mammals, birds, and reptiles.
For Kidman, her kindness comes from her childhood. She didn't have to do anything to help her mother; she was a kid after all, but the fact that she did everything in her power to ease her mother's pain is what sets her apart from the rest of us.
References:
https://www.byrdie.com/nicole-kidman-skincare-routine
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Jerod Harris
