Nicole Kidman interview
Ahead of the Omega store launch at the Trafford Centre, brand ambassador Nicole Kidman talks movies, being mum and staying stylish

She’s one of the highest paid actresses in the world, a wife, mother, women’s rights campaigner and beauty icon (and the face of watch brand Omega of course).

Ahead of the launch of Omega’s first boutique outside London at the Trafford Centre, we caught up with Mrs Urban to find out what makes her tick…

Most people would cut off their left arm to have an Omega watch in their Christmas stocking this year- although that would defeat the object somewhat. Omega watches are investment pieces so it must be great to get to wear as many as you like?
It’s a great honour that I get to wear these extraordinary watches. They’re quality products and I’ve been very fortunate to have had five years with Omega now and they’ve supported the work that I do for women’s rights around the world. They organised a big charity event in Hong Kong recently where we raised a lot of money for the UN Fund for Women. It was only because of Omega that we were able to do it.

With all these watches, you must be a very punctual person then?
Yes, I am. When you’re on a film set, you don’t want to keep people waiting. There are a lot of people and you have to be respectful. I actually think punctuality is about respect. That’s just how I was raised.

Which film set has been the best to work on?
I’ve been able to work with some of the greatest directors in the world, including Stanley Kubrick and Sidney Pollack. The film I’ve just finished was with a young director, John Cameron Mitchell, who’s going to have an enormous career. Working with Stanley Kubrick was amazing – he was probably the greatest director in the last fifty years. I was very lucky to have that experience.

Is there a particular film role that you feel has changed you as a person?
I think I always change in some way. I’ve had an amazing career and I’m very lucky. I always look for very different characters whether it’s been in comedy or drama because I like to be able to switch. I’m based in Tennessee now so I tend not to work as much but soon I’m going to do a Broadway play called Sweet Bird of Youth so that will be something different for me – I haven’t done that for a long time.

How would you describe your fashion style off-screen?
Because I have a child now, I dress much simpler these days. When I was in my twenties the thing I loved was fashion. I loved to get really dressed up. I think I’m less interested in fashion now and more interested in simple chic. I still think it’s important to have some sense of ‘not letting yourself go’ though. You’ve got to make an effort, even after you have a child and even after you’re married.

Who inspires your style?
When I was a little girl my mum would dress me up like a doll, put bows in my hair and take me to flea markets where she’d find beautiful things. She was also a seamstress so she would make me a lot of clothes. That’s probably when I fell in love with clothes and the idea of dressing up.

You have recently become a film producer too. How did you find that experience?
Yes, I’ve been producing a film called Rabbit Hole. It was great because I was able to raise the money for a film that I was passionate about that had a very difficult subject matter. We were able to make the film on a really low budget. When you’re the producer and the actress, it’s much easier in a way because to save the money you can say, “Well, I don’t need a trailer. I don’t need this. I don’t need that.” I’m very proud of the film. It’s been getting a great response in America.

With all these projects, do you find it hard to balance work commitments and home life with your husband Keith Urban and daughter Sunday-Rose?
I work far less now so I’m just very careful about what I do and when I take trips I make them short. When I do films they have to be incredibly special for me to want to do them.

- manchesterconfidential.co.uk