When Hollywood power couple Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise divorced in 2001, the tabloids wasted no time in perpetuating the idea of a bitter rift between the Oscar-winning actor and her adopted children, Isabella and Connor. The root of the feud, so the story goes, occurred in the wake of her divorce, after her children opted to remain with Cruise, who is an ardent follower of the Church of Scientology. 

Despite the rumours of a turbulent private life, Kidman has always risen above the hearsay with grace, and chosen to speak about personal matters on her own terms. That’s exactly what the actor did this week, when she opened up about her children’s decision to become Scientologists.  

Speaking to The Sun, Kidman offered some eloquent words on the nature of motherhood, explaining that irrespective of a parent’s journey to having children, their job is to bestow unequivocal love. 

“Motherhood is about the journey,” she remarked. “There are going to be incredible peaks and valleys, whether you are an adopting mother or a birth mother. What a child needs is love.”

Kidman then set the record straight on her relationship with her children, explaining that although Isabella and Connor had made a choice to follow the Church of Scientology, she whole-heartedly respected their decision. 

“They have made choices to be Scientologists,” she continued. “It’s our job as a parent to always offer unconditional love. It’s not about anything else other than, ‘I’m here to love and support you.”

The Australian actor, who is now happily married to country music star Keith Urban, with whom she shares two young daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Morgan, went on to explain that parenting is a process of constant discovery; one in which you set aside your own expectations to allow your children to evolve as an individual in their own right.

“Parenting is about learning who they are, not making them what you want them to be - letting them find their way then supporting them,” she added. “It’s rigorous. You’re constantly looking at yourself, so you’re not placing these expectations on a child.”

Kidman’s personal life aside, the actor is going from strength to strength in her career, after taking the small screen by storm with her portrayal of Celeste Wright on the celebrated HBO show Big Little Lies. This week, the actor’s upcoming film The Goldfinch, an adaptation of Donna Tartt’s acclaimed novel, hits cinemas. Perhaps now, after two decades, we can celebrate Kidman’s acting legacy, instead of intruding on the personal relationships she strives to protect.

Images: Getty