She knows the tricks of the trade when it comes to acting, having been in the industry for almost 40 years.
And for Nicole Kidman’s latest role, which sees her transform into Hollywood sensation Lucille Ball in Being The Ricardos, she took things up a notch by starting smoking, in order to fully immerse herself in the character.
The biographical drama film centres on the relationship between I Love Lucy stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz (Javier Bardem) and in a recent interview with DuJour, Nicole, 54, voiced her doubts about playing such an iconic part.
Dedication: Nicole Kidman revealed she started smoking to fully transform into the character of Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos
The accoladed actress recalled how she said to her vocal coach Tom Jones it was going to be ‘impossible’ nailing a ‘deep smoker’s voice’ required for the role, due to her being Australian.
‘[Tom] said, “We’re going to get there.” They decided her Lucy needed to have a deep smoker’s voice, so I started smoking. If I warm up for a minute, I now can do her voice standing on my head,’ Nicole said.
Despite director Aaron Sorkin describing her as ‘perfect for the part’, the Days Of Thunder star was still uncertain and she recalled thinking ‘maybe I’m not the right person.’
Role: The biographical drama film centres on the relationship between I Love Lucy stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and in a recent interview with DuJour , Nicole, 54, voiced her doubts about playing such an iconic part
Interview: Nicole spoke to DuJour about aging, her doubts of being able to play Lucille Ball and how her daughter Sunday Rose wants to be a director
The interview also allowed the mother-of-four to shed light on ageing within the acting industry.
‘There’s a consensus in the industry that as a female actor, at about 40, you’re done. I never sat in a chair and heard someone say, “You’re past your due date,” but I’ve had times where you’re turned down and the door is shut on you,’ she admitted.
However, the five-time Golden Globe winner believes that things are ‘definitely changing and moving’ – which is what’s encompassed in Being The Ricardos.
Throughout Nicole’s career, she has ventured into producing as well as acting, and detailed to DuJour how her 13-year-old daughter Sunday Rose dreams of being a director.
The teenager has recently directed a production of Annie on stage but her proud mother isn’t ‘allowed to compliment too much.’
‘All I wanted to do was whoop and holler! But I’m kept on a tight lock and key,’ Nicole revealed.
Getting into character: Being The Ricardos gives a peek into Lucille and Desi’s complex romantic and professional relationship
Efforts: The accoladed actress recalled how she said to her vocal coach Tom Jones it was going to be ‘impossible’ nailing a ‘deep smoker’s voice’ required for the role, due to her being Australian
Opening up: The interview also allowed the mother-of-four to shed light on ageing within the acting industry
Candid: The actress showed off her age-defying beauty for the magazine’s photoshoot, working the cameras in a number of stylish ensembles
Radiant: One close up, side-profile photograph honed in on Nicole’s glamorous makeup as she closed her eyes, her silky tresses falling down her back
The actress showed off her age-defying beauty for the magazine’s photoshoot, working the cameras in a number of stylish ensembles.
One close up, side-profile photograph honed in on Nicole’s glamorous makeup as she closed her eyes, her silky tresses falling down her back.
Another trio of shots showed a carefree Nicole continuing to pose for candid shots in the winter sunshine.
Being The Ricardos began streaming worldwide on Prime Video on December 21, 2021.
Shoot: Another trio of shots showed a carefree Nicole continuing to pose for candid shots in the winter sunshine
