Intimacy Struggles Haunt Nicole Kidman And Keith Urban’s Split

Once seen as one of Hollywood’s most affectionate couples, their separation has now revealed deep cracks behind the smiles.

Sources close to the pair say intimacy struggles, distance, and busy schedules all played a role in the breakdown, leaving Nicole blindsided and desperate to save her marriage while Urban quietly moved on.

For years, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban were known for their public displays of affection, from kisses on red carpets to sweet words in interviews.

However, behind the glamour, their personal lives told a different story.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, an insider revealed that their love for each other gradually turned cold, leaving the couple more like roommates than partners.

“The intimacy isn’t there, they are just going through the motions [of being married],” they shared.

According to the source, the singer wasn’t “happy” in the marriage, especially due to his wife’s busy schedule, and was forced to confront her.

Sadly, the confrontation became the turning point. Insiders shared that Urban initiated the separation, leaving Kidman stunned.

“She was blindsided, but we shall see how things go during the holiday season and his upcoming birthday [next month]. They have some work to do,” the source explained.

Urban’s decision to step back from the marriage meant that Kidman was left shouldering more responsibilities at home.

With their two daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, still living under her care, the actress has been described as the glue keeping the household intact.

“Nicole has been holding the family together through this difficult time since Keith has been gone,” a source told TMZ.

Urban, meanwhile, has been away on his High and Alive world tour, performing across the U.S. and Canada, while his wife remains in Nashville with the children.

To underline the separation, the “Let It Roll” crooner has already acquired his own residence.

According to The Blast, Urban has moved out of the family’s $4 million compound into a new home in Nashville.

On the other hand, Kidman has leaned heavily on family support, with one insider noting, “Nicole’s sister [Antonia] has been a rock and the entire Kidman family has come together to support one another.”

Amongst the many issues that rocked the couple’s marriage, one of their biggest challenges was distance.

According to The Blast, the 58-year-old relocated to London over the summer to film “Practical Magic 2,” renting a Hampstead mansion for £65,000 ($88,000) per month.

The move kept Nicole Kidman thousands of miles away from Urban, who continued his tour schedule.

This routine of living separate lives became more obvious after the Hollywood star’s mother passed away last year.

Friends noticed the shift, revealing that while Kidman and Urban still spoke daily, it was clear the bond was beginning to thin.

“It is shocking how much time they’ve spent apart since Nicole’s mother died,” one insider said per the Daily Mail. “It’s like they both went their separate ways.”

The former lovebirds had once vowed not to spend more than two weeks apart, but that rule has quietly faded.

“No one knows how long they can put up with this situation,” the insider added, as the strain of careers and grief pulled them further apart.

While Urban may have chosen to step back, Kidman has struggled to accept the end of their partnership.

“She didn’t want this. She has been fighting to save the marriage,” a source told PEOPLE.

As recently as June, she celebrated their 19th anniversary with a heartfelt Instagram post, writing, “Happy Anniversary Baby @KeithUrban.” That declaration of love now stands in stark contrast to the current separation.

Just months before, in December 2024, the “Baby Girl” star also spoke fondly of their romance.

“I like being asked out, which he still does,” she said, recalling a dinner date in New York. “We love Japanese food, but I’m open [to everything]. I like not knowing where he’s going to take me. Surprise me, baby!”

Kidman and Urban tied the knot in Sydney, Australia, in 2006 and quickly became one of Hollywood’s golden couples.

Over the years, they built a family and often spoke publicly about their devotion.

Kidman herself once reminded fans that marriage was never flawless, saying, “There’s no perfect anything. Anything that’s presented as perfect… forget it.”

Sadly, signs of strain showed in July, when the Country music star abruptly hung up during a radio interview after a crude question about Kidman’s recent steamy movie roles.

Even then, fans believed their love would endure. Now, after nearly two decades together, the couple faces the most difficult chapter of their lives.

However, insiders still believe the pair can settle their differences. “They have been together for decades so there is a world which they can reconcile,” a source revealed.