Teyana Taylor has revealed how Nicole Kidman helped settle her nerves before the 2026 Academy Awards, where the first-time nominee was competing for Best Supporting Actress, per film-news.co.uk.
The actresses formed a close friendship during the 2025 awards season while campaigning for their respective films, One Battle After Another and Babygirl. They continued to cross paths at industry events before reuniting at their hotel on the morning of the March 15 ceremony.
Taylor told British Vogue that she was “a bundle of nerves” on Oscar Sunday and was running late when she encountered Kidman, who was also preparing at the same venue. Both were dressed by Chanel.
“She calmed me down, reminded me to breathe, to enjoy the moment, to really savour it because I had earned it,” Taylor said. She added that Kidman, a five-time Oscar nominee and 2003 winner for The Hours, had “made sure I felt steady” before one of the biggest moments of her career.
Taylor was nominated for her role in One Battle After Another, while Kidman presented the award for Best Picture alongside her Moulin Rouge! co-star Ewan McGregor. Kidman was not nominated for Babygirl.
In the same interview, Kidman praised Taylor’s potential, stating that the star of The Rip possessed the fundamentals of movie stardom.
Taylor’s nomination marked a significant milestone in her transition from music to acting, while Kidman’s mentorship underscored her established position within the industry.