Kidman always hungry for fame

Any ideas of that philosophy being imposed on her were rubbish, or ‘absolute bullshit’

23rd September 2006

Source : http://www.thewest.com

Nicole Kidman was an ambitious actress, who even as a teenager in Sydney was hungry for fame and fortune, her unauthorised biography claims.

The biography, which is about to hit Australian bookstores, also says that despite having amassed millions of dollars and critical acclaim, Kidman remains paranoid that turning 40 next year could ruin her career.

The author, David Thomson, a regular film writer for the Independent and the New York Times, had a single, 40-minute telephone chat with Kidman during the research for his book, which he admits he had mostly written by the time she called.

Subsequently the actress has let it be known that she spoke only about her films.

Despite his limited access to his subject, Thomson comments on the most intimate details of her life, ranging from her apparent resistance to the Church of Scientology, an alleged professional rivalry and eventual divorce from husband and Scientologist Tom Cruise, to whether she uses Botox.

These episodes are interspersed in chapters devoted to each of her films since she hit the big time in Dead Calm.

On Scientology, he writes: “Nicole began to say that any ideas of that philosophy being imposed on her were rubbish, or ‘absolute bullshit’.”

Tom had wanted to share the discipline with her and he told her, as he told everyone, that it had allowed him to live more decisively, effectively and positively.

“She promised to keep an open mind, and she certainly read some of the crucial texts. But as to the suggestion that Scientology had been required of her in the marriage, ‘No way! I would never have married him if that was it’,” the book says.

Kidman has already come out publicly against the book, published on October 6 through Bloomsbury, claiming this month she was unaware of its true nature when she spoke to Thomson.

The Australian actress has been in London working on her latest film — Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials. She is about to make her first trip to India as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Women.

Just three months ago the Hollywood princess walked down the aisle in Sydney to wed her country singer beau Keith Urban.

She was a model of beauty in a lacy, one-shoulder ivory dress, Christian Louboutin heels, with elegant pearl earrings and a veil over her golden locks.

For a woman who claims to dislike her celebrity status, the Oscar winner seemed to enjoy every moment in the marital spotlight.

The 39-year-old waved and smiled at more than 1000 fans as she entered the gates of Cerretti Chapel at St Patrick’s Estate overlooking Sydney’s Manly Beach.

Sydney