Earlier this month, we reported that the Oscar-winning star Nicole Kidman and her country music star husband Keith Urban had separated after 19 years of marriage. At the time, insiders were claiming that Kidman was desperately “fighting to save her marriage.” They also alleged that she’d felt “blindsided” by Urban wanting to separate.
Hours later, however, Kidman, 58, officially filed for divorce from Urban, 58. This came amidst rumors that Urban had already moved on with a “new girlfriend.”
Now, video is going viral showing Urban break down in tears as he’s given a touching personal gift. Indeed, it seems that this divorce has Urban very much in his feelings.
Urban Cries As He Receives Touching Gift
Urban celebrated his 58th birthday on Sunday, October 26. Chase Matthew, who opened for Urban on his High and Alive tour, marked the occasion by sharing a video to Instagram in which he gave his fellow country music star a birthday present that came with a message of hope and healing. This emotional moment took place backstage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
“We’ve had such a blast on tour with you @keithurban, Happy Birthday Brother,” Matthew wrote in the caption as he shared the video to social media.
Urban couldn’t help but cry as he received the gift, which was a customized guitar that featured intricate art created by cultural artist Sam Mangakahia. He’s an artist who transforms personal stories into “living art” on musical instruments.
Mangakahia has titled his creation for Urban “The Rise of the Phoenix.”
“It touches on your family, things that are important to you, your music, polarity in design, culture, where you grew up,” Mangakahia told Urban in the video.
Mangakahia went on to say that the guitar was meant to honor Urban’s life, artistry and resilience. It was also meant to pay tribute to Urban’s “ability to inspire others and [his] fearlessness in attacking [his] dreams.”
Urban became increasingly emotional as Mangakahia spoke, as he was seen wiping away tears at times.
Check out the video for yourself below. You might want to have some tissues handy for this one!
Urban’s Divorce Was ‘A Long Time Coming’
It’s not surprising that Urban is feeling emotional at the moment, given all of the turmoil going on in his personal life.
Kidman filed for divorce from Urban on September 30 after 19 years of marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The former couple had secretly been separated since June. While Kidman was reportedly “blindsided” by the split, those close to Urban have said that it was “a long time coming.”
“Keith has moved on and has been open with Nicole about where he stands,” an Urban insider recently told US Weekly.
“The two had grown apart quietly over time, and by the end, the decision to separate was more about acceptance than surprise,” the source added.
Urban’s ‘Soul-Sucking Routine’
This comes one week after Urban himself took what many are interpreting as a dig at his marriage in the season premiere of his new reality television competition show The Road.
In the premiere episode, Urban took the stage to perform his new track “Straight Line.”
“Why we livin’ every day in circles? Just burnin’ out, burnin’ out,” he sings in the song. “I don’t wanna just go through the motions. Goin’ round and round. It’s takin’ us down.”
Fans believe that this song is a subtle nod to Urban’s marriage troubles. Indeed, he previously said that the track is about “breaking free” from “soul-sucking” routines.
“Straight Line is wanting to break out of a soul-sucking routine that you might be stuck in,” Urban wrote on Instagram when the song came out in February of 2024. “Maybe in a relationship, a job, with creativity, with yourself…whatever it is!! It’s a message of feeling alive again and getting out from under that dark cloud.”
Urban and Kidman are the parents of two daughters: Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14. While Kidman was previously married to her fellow A-list Hollywood star Tom Cruise, this was Urban’s first and only marriage. That likely makes this divorce all the more emotional for him, as he has never been through this before.
This has clearly been an extremely difficult time for both Urban and Kidman. Please join us in saying a prayer for them both as they navigate this challenging new chapter of their lives!