Nicole Kidman debunks divorce photo myth once and for all

In an interview for the British "GQ Men of the Year," Nicole Kidman addressed the iconic 2001 photo showing her with raised arms and a wide smile. It was said to be the actress's reaction to her divorce from Tom Cruise. "That was not me; that was from a film, that wasn't real life. I know that image!" she said.

With that, the actress dispelled the long-standing myth that the photograph was taken after her divorce from the star. Nicole did not reveal which movie the picture was from, but her explanation ended the speculation.

The photo, in which Kidman is dressed in a patterned blouse, green pants, and sneakers, became an internet meme, a symbol of triumph and freedom. It recently gained popularity when Jenna Dewan shared it on Instagram after her divorce. For Nicole Kidman, the meme is one of many examples of how people create narratives around her life. The actress approaches this with a sense of humour.

Nicole and Tom Cruise were married from 1990 to 2001 and adopted two children: Isabella, age 31, and Connor, age 29. After the divorce, Kidman became involved with country musician Keith Urban. The couple married in 2006 and have two daughters: Sunday, age 16, and Faith, age 13.

In a recent interview, the actress also shared reflections on family life.

"And it hits you as you get older how… it’s a wake up at 3 a.m. crying and gasping kind of thing. (...) And [the] loss of parents and raising children and marriage and all of the things that go into making you a fully sentient human. I’m in all of those places. So life is, whew. It’s definitely a journey," she confessed.

Kidman also referenced another viral moment: the way she clapped at the 2017 Oscars. "I had a massive heavy borrowed ring on and it was really painful, and I was scared of wrecking the jewellery," she explained with a smile. "There’s always something behind the actual images that go out there, right?"