Nicole Kidman has called Nashville home for nearly two decades — and now, she’s hoping to shine an even brighter spotlight on the city she loves.
During a recent panel at the Nashville Film Festival, the Oscar-winning actress spoke passionately about Music City and revealed that she’s teaming up with longtime friend Reese Witherspoon to bring more film and television production to the area.
“I’ll be bringing more and more production here,” Kidman told guests at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater, according to People.
“Reese Witherspoon lives here too, and she’s one of my best besties,” she added.
‘Come On, Tennessee — We’ve Got This’
Kidman, 58, has lived in Nashville since 2008 with husband Keith Urban and their two daughters.
Read More: Keith Urban + Nicole Kidman Had Way Too Much Fun on the ACMs Carpet [Pictures]
“There’s so much room here for production,” she said. “The crews are fantastic, and the actors and the people… I feel that it’s taking off and will continue to take off, so off we go.”
The Bombshell star also pointed to the economic opportunity that a growing film scene could bring to the city: “Come on, Tennessee — we’ve got this.”
She spoke just before a special screening of her 2003 film Cold Mountain, and shared that she’s currently filming Season 2 of her crime drama Scarpetta in Nashville — a creative homecoming she’s grateful for.
“I filmed Season 1 here, and it inspires so much creativity,” she said. “I love the Nashville people because they embraced me two decades ago, and they keep making it possible for our family to have the most beautiful life here.”
Not a Takeover — A Tribute
Kidman made it clear she’s not trying to turn Nashville into Hollywood.
She simply wants to help support what she sees as the city’s growing potential for creative storytelling — without changing what makes it special.
Read More: Sunday Rose Urban Says People in Her World Don’t Know She Has a Famous Family
While she joked that her hit series Big Little Lies probably won’t be moving east anytime soon, she hopes more projects can find a home in Tennessee — especially those that uplift local crews, actors, and talent.
Witherspoon — also a longtime Nashville resident — shares that love for the city.
Though raised in Hollywood, she’s spent years raising her family in Tennessee and remains closely tied to both communities.
Read More: Nicole Kidman Proved She’s a True Country Fan With This Move [Exclusive]
Kidman is mom to four children: daughters Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret with Urban, and older children Bella and Connor from her previous marriage to Tom Cruise.
For now, she says, her heart is in Nashville. “Incredibly grateful,” she said simply.
13 Best Non-Celebrity Bars in Nashville, Ranked
Headed to Nashville soon? Sure, you can hit up dozens of bars owned by your favorite country artists, but don’t forget about the local joints, too.
Music City is known for its vibrant nightlife with fun and unique bars lining the sidewalks of Broadway and beyond. While some bars are fresh concepts, there are others that have been around for a long time, filled with rich country music history.
We’re breaking down the best of the non-celebrity bars you’ll find in Nashville.
Gallery Credit: Jess Rose
