After snagging the win for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor at this year’s SAG Awards, Big Little Lies star Nicole Kidman wowed the audience with her words on an issue close to her heart. Along with extending thanks to other actresses in the same category, a tearful Kidman called attention to ageism in Hollywood during her moving acceptance speech, Mashable reports.
Kidman began her speech by warning the audience that she has the flu, though the illness did nothing to dull her shine on stage. In her heartfelt speech, the award-winning actress acknowledged her friends and co-stars, Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern, as well as Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lange, Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda, Judy Davis, Isabelle Huppert, Shirley Maclaine and Judi Dench. Kidman paid careful attention to the actresses her age and older, thanking them for their “trailblazing performances” throughout their careers.
“To receive this at this stage of my life is extraordinary, and at this time in the industry when these things are going on, and for this role,” Kidman said.
And to the actresses she named and others, Kidman said, “I revere you, I’ve watched you, and I’ve learnt from you. I want to thank you all for your trailblazing performances you’ve given over your career and how wonderful it is that our careers today can go beyond 40 years old. Because 20 years ago, we were pretty washed up by this stage in our lives. That’s not the case now. We’ve proven, and these actresses and so many more are proving that we are potent and powerful and viable.”
Amid the clapping, Kidman openly prayed that the industry will continue to support and tell the stories of older women. The fact that Kidman herself is only 50-years-old and confronting ageism speaks volumes to her message: Change has been instigated, but there is more to be done.