Emmys 2017: Nicole Kidman gives powerful speech on domestic violence
'Domestic abuse is a complicated, insidious disease that exists far more than we allow ourselves to know'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nicole Kidman used her Emmy acceptance speech to highlight the “complicated, insidious” issue of domestic violence.
The actor received the best lead actress Emmy for her role as Celeste in HBO drama Big Little Lies, a character who is abused by her husband.
The series, which follows the lives of five mothers in California, took five awards in total. Ms Kidman’s co-star, Laura Dern, was named this year's best supporting actress.
In her acceptance speech, Ms Kidman said she was grateful for the opportunity to depict the brutal reality of gendered violence.
“Sometimes when you’re acting, you get a chance to bring a bigger message - we shine a light on domestic abuse."
“It is a complicated, insidious disease that exists far more than we allow ourselves to know.
“It is filled with shame, secrecy and by you acknowledging me with this award, it shines a light on it even more. So thank you, thank you, thank you. I bow down to you.”
Ms Kidman also thanked her husband and children for their support.
“I also am a mother and a wife. I have two little girls, Sunny and Faith and my darling Keith who I asked to help me pursue this artistic path and they had to sacrifice so much for it, so this is yours," she said.
"I want my little girls to have this on their shelf and to look at it and go, ‘every time my momma didn’t put me to bed, it’s because of this. I got something.’”
It is the first time the Australian actor has won an Emmy. In 2003 she received an Academy Award for her role in acclaimed drama The Hours.
A number of other stars, including British actor Riz Ahmed, chose to wear blue ribbons at Sunday night’s Emmys as a symbol of political dissent.
The ribbons represent their support for the American Civil Liberties’ Union (ACLU), an organisation defends and protects individual rights, and often files lawsuits against state or federal authorities.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments