Celebrity marriages often look perfect from the outside, but they face the same challenges as everyone else’s relationships – sometimes even more. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have been married since 2006, and while they seem like the ideal couple in many ways, there are some concerning signs that suggest all might not be as wonderful as it appears. Their relationship has weathered many storms, from quick beginnings to addiction battles and busy careers. But are there cracks beneath the surface? Let’s take a closer look at what might be going on behind the scenes of this famous Hollywood marriage.
They rushed into marriage after only three months
Getting married quickly isn’t always a problem, but it can be a sign that a couple hasn’t fully gotten to know each other. Nicole and Keith tied the knot after dating for just three months, which hardly gave them time to learn about each other’s habits, values, and potential deal-breakers. Most relationship experts suggest spending at least a year together before making such a big commitment. When couples rush into marriage, they often discover surprising things about each other after the wedding that might have changed their minds if they’d known sooner. These discoveries can lead to conflicts and disappointment when the honeymoon phase wears off.
What makes their quick marriage even more concerning is that Nicole admitted she was still in love with her ex-husband Tom Cruise when she got engaged to Keith. Moving from one relationship to another without healing from the first one is risky. It’s like trying to build a new house on a shaky foundation. Even though they’ve stayed together for many years now, starting their relationship before Nicole had fully processed her feelings for Tom might have created underlying issues that could surface during times of stress. When we don’t take time to heal from past relationships, we often bring old baggage into new ones.
Keith went to rehab shortly after they married
One of the biggest challenges Nicole and Keith faced early in their marriage was his struggle with addiction. Just months after their wedding, Keith checked into rehab for alcohol abuse. While many see Nicole’s support during this time as a sign of strength, it also meant their marriage started under extreme stress. Addiction affects not just the person struggling but everyone around them too. For a brand new marriage that was still finding its footing, this was a huge test. Having to deal with such a serious issue so early on meant they didn’t get that carefree newlywed period most couples enjoy.
Though Keith has stayed sober since then, the shadow of addiction can hang over a relationship for years. Trust issues often develop when one partner has addiction problems, and rebuilding that trust takes time. Nicole has been praised for standing by Keith during his recovery, choosing to support him rather than walk away. But the stress and worry of wondering if a relapse might happen can take a toll on even the strongest relationships. Recovery is a lifelong journey, not a one-time fix, and being the partner of someone in recovery comes with its own set of challenges that Nicole has had to face while also managing her high-profile career.
Nicole’s work schedule creates relationship strain
Nicole’s dedication to her acting career has led to some difficult choices that have affected her marriage. In April 2025, reports surfaced that Keith was “worried” and “frustrated” because Nicole had gone back on her promise to cut back on work commitments this year. She had said she would only take on two projects and then focus on family time for the rest of 2025. But just weeks later, she was spotted filming a new movie, seemingly breaking her word. When one partner repeatedly puts work before family commitments, it can create feelings of resentment and neglect in the relationship. No matter how understanding your partner is, constantly choosing work over family time will eventually cause problems.
This pattern has happened before in their relationship. There was even a time when Nicole missed Keith’s father’s funeral because of work obligations. Missing such an important family event is something that can cause deep hurt in a relationship. Keith has been supportive of Nicole’s career, but insiders say he’s becoming increasingly concerned about how her non-stop work schedule is affecting her health and their relationship. Nicole is reportedly not taking proper care of herself, skipping meals and rest as she throws herself into work. This is especially concerning since she’s still grieving the recent loss of her mother. When work becomes an “escape” from dealing with emotional issues, as sources suggest it has for Nicole, it can prevent necessary healing and create distance in a marriage.
Cheating rumors created trust issues early on
Every relationship has its tests, but Nicole and Keith faced a big one before they even walked down the aisle. Around the time of their engagement, rumors swirled that Keith had cheated on Nicole. Whether these rumors were true or not, just the suggestion of infidelity can plant seeds of doubt in a relationship. Trust is like a piece of paper – once it’s crumpled, it never goes back to being perfectly smooth. Even if Nicole chose to believe Keith and move forward, those early rumors might have created underlying trust issues that could resurface during tough times in their marriage.
When a relationship starts with questions about faithfulness, it often creates a pattern of insecurity that’s hard to break. For Nicole, who had already experienced the pain of a very public divorce from Tom Cruise, these rumors must have been especially hurtful. Rebuilding trust after cheating allegations takes time and consistent effort from both partners. It requires open communication, transparency, and patience. While Nicole and Keith have stayed together for many years after these early rumors, the shadow of potential infidelity can have lasting effects on how secure they feel with each other. Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and when that foundation is shaken early on, it can affect everything built on top of it.
Nicole still had feelings for her ex-husband
Starting a new relationship while still having feelings for an ex is rarely a good idea, yet that’s exactly what Nicole did. She openly admitted that she still loved Tom Cruise when she got engaged to Keith. Carrying feelings for a former partner into a new marriage creates an unfair comparison and can prevent full emotional investment in the new relationship. It’s like trying to drive forward while constantly looking in the rearview mirror. Nicole and Tom’s marriage was highly publicized, and they were considered a Hollywood power couple for years. Those kinds of relationships leave lasting impressions that can be hard to shake off.
For Keith, knowing his new wife still had feelings for her famous ex-husband must have been difficult. It likely created insecurities and questions about whether he was measuring up to Tom in Nicole’s eyes. While people can certainly move on from past relationships and build healthy new ones, doing so requires proper closure and healing time. Nicole jumping into marriage with Keith while still processing her feelings for Tom suggests she might not have given herself the space needed to fully close that chapter of her life. This emotional overlap could have created an uneven foundation for her marriage to Keith, with potential long-term effects on their bond and Keith’s sense of security in the relationship.
Despite these red flags, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have managed to stay married for nearly 19 years, which is an impressive achievement by any standard, but especially in Hollywood. They’ve weathered addiction, career demands, personality differences, and trust issues. Their relationship shows that marriages can survive serious challenges with commitment and work from both partners. However, recent reports about Nicole’s work habits and Keith’s growing concerns suggest they may be facing a new chapter of difficulties. Only time will tell if they can continue to overcome the obstacles that have been part of their relationship from the beginning.
