She may now be one of the most famous manes in Hollywood, but Nicole Kidman spent most of her teenage years studying theatre in Sydney and partaking in a few local productions here and there. At the time she was hardly a household name, but that all changed in 1983 when she burst into the spotlight in 1983 cult classic BMX Bandits. As you can see, her ginger afro was almost bigger than she was back then.
In fact, looking at photos of Nicole, then and now, it’s hard to believe it’s the same person.
With a gorgeous mane of ginger hair, a plump face and bushy eyebrows, the young star couldn’t look less like the preened and perfect screen goddess she has come to be known for. These days, she prefers some downtime with her husband, country legend Keith Urban, and their two daughters, Faith Margaret and Sunday Rose, in Nashville.
As she now approaches her 48th birthday, we take a look back at the Nicole we’ve come to love– the Aussie girl who rose to the top and won the country’s heart.
Happy birthday Nicole! Here’s to another wonderful year.
Nicole in 1983 and in 2014 at the Cannes Film Festival.
Nicole, aged 16, promoting BMX Bandits in 1983.
A young Nicole in 1989.
Nicole with her first husband Tom Cruise in LA in 1990.
Tom and Nicole on the red carpet in 1992.
Nicole at a photo call for Far and Away in 1992.
With blonde locks in 1992.
With gorgeous curls at the Strictly Ballroom premiere in 1993.
Nicole in New York in 1995.
A fresh-faced Nicole at the Golden Globes in 1996.
The pretty redhead promotes Eyes Wide Shut in 1999
The Aussie actress at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003.
Nicole dazzles in red at the Oscars in 2007.
Nicole goes back to strawberry blonde in July 2011.
Nicole with long blonde hair at the Golden Globes in 2012.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban attend the 2014 CMT Music awards in June 2014.
The Aussie actress wowed crowds in Cannes at the ‘Grace of Monaco’ premiere.
Nicole with a side ponytail in Shanghai in 2014.
