Keith Urban reportedly had a furious reaction to questions about Nicole Kidman’s on-screen sex scenes, just months before their separation was confirmed.
The country music star and the Oscar-winning actress were once considered one of Hollywood’s most solid couples, but after nearly two decades together, sources now say their marriage has come to an end.
Radio interview sparks speculation
Reports suggest cracks began to show in June, when Urban, 57, was asked about Kidman’s romantic scenes with Zac Efron in her Netflix rom-com A Family Affair.
During a radio interview, host Max Burford casually asked (via Sky News): “What does Keith Urban think when he sees his beautiful wife with beautiful younger men like Zac Efron, having these beautiful love scenes on TV?”
The question didn’t go down well.
Urban immediately ended the interview, with someone on his team heard saying they were “pulling the chat” due to his discomfort.
Burford later admitted he thought they had been “vibing” with the singer, while co-host Hayley Pearson bluntly added: “He hates us.
"I knew that was going to happen.”
The incident came just weeks after Urban and Kidman celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary, and is now believed to have deepened the rift between them.
Zac Efron's warning
Kidman's A Family Affair co-star, Efron, even hinted at being "in love" with Kidman, stating at Kidman's Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony shortly after the release of their film: "I had a huge, huge crush on [Kidman]" before playfully warning: "And Keith, don't get mad, we all do, I don't know what to tell you man."
He then finished off by saying: "You won."
“The intimacy isn’t there.”
Kidman, 58, has taken on a string of roles in recent years that feature steamy love scenes, including A Family Affair and Babygirl.
While she has often laughed off questions about how Urban feels, insiders say the reality behind the scenes was more complicated.
“The intimacy isn’t there; they’re just going through the motions,” a source told The Mirror.
“Keith had to call her out that he isn’t happy.
"She was blindsided by this.”
According to reports, the pair have been living apart since June.
Urban is said to have moved out of their Nashville home, while Kidman has reportedly been trying to patch things up, according to The Guardian.
Fighting for their marriage
The couple share two daughters, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14.
Despite their separation, friends claim Kidman has been “fighting to save the marriage”, even sharing public posts of affection toward Urban on social media in an effort to quiet speculation.
But for now, it appears the couple’s long union is on shaky ground.
“There was a lot of love between the two, and they might not divorce,” a source told PEOPLE.
“They’ve been together for decades, so reconciliation is possible.
"But as things stand right now, they’re not a couple.”