Nicole Kidman has submitted an application for residency in Portugal, marking a significant step toward establishing a new European base for the family. Although Kidman’s husband, Keith Urban, is not yet listed on the application, he intends to join her in relocating once his current tour commitments in the United States allow.
A source with knowledge of the process disclosed that Urban was unable to attend the necessary in-person appointment for the visa application as it requires physical presence. He plans to submit his own application at a time that fits his touring schedule.
Plans and Priorities: Nashville Remains the Family’s Main Home
Despite the move to Portugal, Kidman and Urban are not positioning the country as their permanent residence. The couple, who have been married for 19 years and share two daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, continue to regard Nashville as their primary home base.
Having established their family life in Tennessee since 2008, Kidman has often highlighted the importance of Nashville in her family’s life. She values raising their children in the city’s supportive environment, which remains integral to their lifestyle.
“While Nicole and Keith own a home in Portugal, their primary residence will continue to be in Nashville,”
the source confirmed.
Nicole Kidman Reflects on Roots and Family Stability
Kidman has spoken candidly about her deep connection to Nashville and the strong foundation it provides for her family. She often describes her home as lively and full of children, exemplifying the warmth and community she cherishes.
In a 2019 interview, she explained,
“My roots are deeply embedded here [in Nashville]. Our house is always full of kids. Sometimes we have eight kids over for dinner after school. I’m so grateful.”
Kidman credits the enduring strength of her marriage to Keith Urban as a key factor in this stable upbringing. She believes true love solidifies during difficult times, fostering deeper bonds.
“Real love happens not when everything is going well but when things are going badly,”
she said.
“It’s when human beings come together, if they’re going to, in a far deeper way. You’re then having to work together, and the ‘together’ is what it’s about.”
Celebrity Relocations Beyond Hollywood
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are among numerous celebrities who have chosen to leave Hollywood and establish residences elsewhere. Many stars relocate for personal reasons, professional opportunities, or lifestyle changes.
Ellen DeGeneres’ Departure Following Controversy and New Beginnings in England
After concluding her talk show amid workplace allegations, Ellen DeGeneres announced her exit from Hollywood. She staged a final standup special and revealed plans to leave the U.S., relocating to England with her wife, Portia de Rossi. Observers link their move to political shifts, though the couple have not publicly confirmed this.
DeGeneres stated,
“This is the last time you’re going to see me,”
signaling a definitive end to her television career.
Tyra Banks Moves to Australia to Expand Ice Cream Business
Tyra Banks transitioned to Australia to support her ice cream brand, SMiZE and Dream. Her frequent trips to Australia involved overseeing production at a major facility, where she developed customer relationships in key markets including the U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.
Banks explained,
“So I have this ice cream company, SMiZE and Dream. But we’ve been more what we call B2B, like on an airplane and on cruises. I’ve been going to Australia a lot because we were making a lot of our ice cream there in a big facility doing our recipes. And I just fell in love with it every time I went back and went back.”
She further noted the significance of Australia as a marketplace, stating,
“The three countries that eat the most ice cream? America, New Zealand and Australia.”
Her relocation included her son York, her boyfriend Louis Bélanger-Martin, and pursuit of both personal happiness and business success.
“Australia has been a dream come true for me and my family,”
Banks added.
Eva Longoria’s Cross-Continental Lifestyle Between Spain and Mexico
Eva Longoria has transitioned away from Los Angeles, splitting her time between Spain and Mexico with her husband José Bastón and their son Santiago. She described the changes in California she observes and how the pandemic accelerated her decision.
“I had my whole adult life here,”
Longoria said.
“But even before [the pandemic], it was changing. The vibe was different. And then Covid happened, and it pushed it over the edge. Whether it’s the homelessness or the taxes, not that I want to s–t on California—it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now.”
Longoria denied political reasons for her move despite media speculation connected to Donald Trump’s re-election. Explaining her departure, she said,
“I didn’t leave because of the political environment. I left because my work took me there since Land of Women—shooting six months in Catalonia, then four months in Mexico for Searching for Mexico, then back to Spain. Now I’ve been there for years. So I just don’t like that it’s politicized.”
Richard Gere Embraces Life in Spain with Family
Richard Gere has relocated to Spain with his wife, Alejandra Silva, and their sons Alexander and James. Gere expressed excitement about raising bilingual children and the cultural benefits of living in Madrid.
Speaking on The Tonight Show, Gere shared,
“My wife is Spanish, and she gave me about seven years here. And so we’re going to spend some years in Madrid.”
He added,
“Our kids are bilingual, so they’re going to flourish there.”
The family’s happiness and momentum in their new country emphasize the significance of this move.
Christina Milian Settles in Paris for Family and Career
Christina Milian has made Paris her home with her husband Matt Pokora and their children, choosing to raise her kids in the French education system. The singer and actress also cherishes a balanced lifestyle between work and family in the city.
Milian said on The Jennifer Hudson Show,
“My husband is French, and we’ve been together for over seven or eight years. For the last three or four years we were commuting back and forth every six months.”
She emphasized the benefits for her children by noting,
“They’re all going to school in Paris. I was like, ‘What better than an opportunity than that?’”
She described her daily life as “a nice, healthy balance” where she works remotely during off-hours while enjoying active days with her kids.
Lindsay Lohan on Escaping the Spotlight and Finding Love Abroad
Lindsay Lohan clarified reasons behind her move away from Los Angeles, citing frustration with paparazzi and the intrusion detracting from her work. She relocated first to London, then Dubai, and also opened businesses in Greece. Lohan revealed that taking time for herself helped open new opportunities.
“I feel like some of [my work] got overshadowed by paparazzi and all that kind of stuff when I was younger, and that’s kind of annoying,”
she explained.
“I wish that part didn’t happen. I feel like that kind of took on a life of its own. So that’s why I wanted to disappear. I was like, ‘Unless there’s no story here, they’re not going to focus on just my work.’”
Lohan also spoke about finding love, stating,
“I was like, ‘What if I never fall in love? What if this never happens?’”
She and her husband, Bader Shammas, married in 2022 and have a son named Luai, continuing to live in Dubai while maintaining professional commitments.
Josh Hartnett’s Move to England and Pursuit of a Conventional Life
Josh Hartnett left Hollywood in pursuit of a more grounded existence. He moved with his wife, Tamsin Egerton, and their four children to the Hampshire countryside, seeking a broader life perspective beyond the film industry.
Hartnett reflected,
“Hollywood is more than a place; it’s like a state of mind. If you’re around people who are constantly talking about the movie business, your life is going to be pretty much one note. And I’ve never wanted that.”
He also noted,
“I’ve always wanted to be around … people generally doing lots of other things that would bring my mind off of my work and force me to grow in different directions. To me, that’s the spice of life.”
Balancing family and personal growth, Hartnett stated,
“With four children, you have so much to do. In a way, less is happening. But more of the important stuff is happening.”
Jesse Eisenberg Finds Comfort in Indiana Away from Hollywood
Oscar-nominated actor Jesse Eisenberg prefers a quieter life in Indiana with his wife Anna Strout and son Banner, distancing himself from the film industry’s instability and social media culture.
“I’ve lived in Indiana for the last decade on-and-off. That’s where I feel the most comfortable. I’m not somebody who wants to surround myself in an industry that just feels kind of unstable to me,”
Eisenberg shared.
He elaborated on maintaining separation from entertainment circles, saying,
“I’m not on social media, and I’m not a person who’s on the phone with industry people all the time. So, my life feels pretty separate. My wife is a teacher. My kid doesn’t really even watch movies. So, I’m not like knee-deep in the world of constantly trying to assess my own status in an industry.”
Eliza Dushku Palandjian’s Career Shift to Mental Health
After roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Bring It On, Eliza Dushku Palandjian chose a new path in mental health, becoming certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy and continuing professional studies.
In an interview, she expressed,
“I had the means to shift directions and choose a course in my life that focused on healing myself so that I could help heal others. I would be remiss if I didn’t now share the transformation and the peace and the passion that I have. This is just absolutely so clearly my real calling, my real purpose.”
Rosie O’Donnell’s Move to Ireland and Citizenship Pursuit
Rosie O’Donnell relocated to Ireland with her youngest child Clay in early 2025, beginning the process to obtain Irish citizenship through her grandparents’ lineage. Though political developments influenced this decision, she has left open the option of returning to the United States when conditions improve.
O’Donnell said,
“I miss my other kids. I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home and I’m trying to find a home here in this beautiful country. And when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”
Evangeline Lilly Takes Break from Acting with Plans to Possibly Return
Evangeline Lilly announced an indefinite hiatus from acting after two decades in the industry, expressing gratitude for her journey and excitement for a different life path.
On Instagram, she reflected,
“I am so filled with joy and contentment today as I live out my vision. I feel so grateful for my blessings. Stepping away from what seems like the obvious choice (wealth and fame) can feel scary at times, but stepping into your dharma replaces the fear with fulfillment.”
She left open the possibility of resuming her career by adding,
“I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong.”
Ian Somerhalder Focuses on Environmental Initiatives
Since stepping back from acting, Ian Somerhalder has dedicated himself to combating climate change through regenerative agriculture. Launching documentaries such as Kiss the Ground and Common Ground, he promotes soil health and sustainable farming practices.
“I stepped away from acting a little over four years ago to raise my kids, build my companies and get these films launched,”
he said, describing his new mission. Looking ahead, Somerhalder stated,
“I will be a rancher and building legacy brands, whether it’s my bourbon or my health and wellness company, and the regenerative agriculture and healthy soil management practices that I live by and our family lives by. That’s where my life was going. So when people say ‘Why do you care?’ That’s why I care. Because that’s who I am, that’s what I’m going to become.”
Jennette McCurdy Moves Away from Acting to Writing and Directing
Jennette McCurdy has distanced herself from acting, focusing on writing, directing, and podcasting. Reflecting on her earlier career, she shared feelings of regret and dissatisfaction with her past roles.
“My experience with acting is, I’m so ashamed of the parts I’ve done in the past,”
McCurdy revealed.
“I resent my career in a lot of ways. I feel so unfulfilled by the roles that I played and felt like it was the most cheesy, embarrassing. I did the shows that I was on from like 13 to 21, and by 15, I was already embarrassed. My friends at 15, they’re not like, ‘Oh, cool, you’re on this Nickelodeon show.’ It was embarrassing.”
Despite this, she has not ruled out a return, saying,
“I do feel like only through writing the book have I gotten to a place where I think there might be a way of exploring acting that doesn’t carry that baggage that I carried with me for so long. Maybe if I write something for myself. I think that’d really be maybe one of the only ways I could kind of try exploring it again.”
Meghan Markle’s Transition from Hollywood to Royal Life and Beyond
Meghan Markle left her acting career and life in Toronto to marry Prince Harry and commit to philanthropy and royal responsibilities. Since stepping back from senior royal roles, she has returned to entertainment through production deals, docuseries, podcasts, and her brand.
Markle continues to balance privacy with professional endeavors as she and Harry reside in Montecito, California, steadily re-engaging with the industry.
Cameron Diaz’s Shift to Wellness and Potential Film Return
Cameron Diaz paused her extensive acting career in 2014 to pursue wellness and family life alongside husband Benji Madden. She has authored books on health and longevity and expressed no current desire to perform, though recent projects have drawn her back.
Diaz described her reasoning:
“I just decided that I wanted different things out of my life. I had gone so hard for so long, working, making films and it’s such a grind. When you’re making a movie—it’s a perfect excuse—they own you. You’re there for 12 hours a day for months on end and you have no time for anything else.”
Jamie Foxx confirmed efforts to bring her back in film, stating,
“We just begged and pleased on my knees, like, ‘Just give the people one more again.’ We love her, we’ve been waiting on her and this is just gonna be fantastic.”
Terrence Howard Pursues Roles with Integrity After Deciding Against Acting
Terrence Howard announced intentions to leave acting after Empire’s final season, expressing a desire to avoid repeating himself and instead support emerging talent.
He remarked,
“Oh, I’m done with acting. I’m done pretending.”
Despite these statements, he has since appeared in multiple projects, including upcoming shows and films.
Howard shared,
“I’ve gotten to the point where now I’ve given the very best that I have as an actor. Now I’m enjoying watching other new talent come around, and I don’t want to do an impersonation of myself.”
Jack Gleeson Returns to Acting After a Hiatus
Following his role as King Joffrey in Game of Thrones, Jack Gleeson stepped away from acting, citing a loss of enjoyment and changing perspective on the profession once it became a livelihood.
“I’ve been acting since age 8. I just stopped enjoying it as much as I used to,”
he explained.
“Now there’s the prospect of doing it for a living, whereas up until now it was always something I did for recreation with my friends, or in the summer for some fun. I enjoyed it. When you make a living from something, it changes your relationship with it. It’s not like I hate it, it’s just not what I want to do.”
After six years, Gleeson resumed acting, landing roles in television and film projects since 2020.
Phoebe Cates Chooses Family Over Career in Acting
Phoebe Cates notably stepped back from her acting career to prioritize raising her children alongside husband Kevin Kline. The couple decided to coordinate work schedules to avoid simultaneous absences from home.
Kline explained,
“Agreed to alternate so that we’re never working at the same time. Whenever it’s been her slot to work, Phoebe has chosen to stay with the children.”
Cates now focuses on operating her boutique in New York, maintaining engagement in the creative community through her business.
Rick Moranis Withdraws from Acting to Raise Children, Plans Film Return
Rick Moranis stepped away from acting in the 1990s after his wife’s passing to dedicate himself to parenting his children. Despite avoiding film roles for decades, he remains a beloved figure and is preparing a comeback in the Disney reboot Shrunk, alongside Josh Gad.
Leelee Sobieski Prioritizes Family and Art Over Acting
Leelee Sobieski shifted focus from film to family after marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel. She spoke about discomfort with the prevalence of intimate scenes in scripts and choosing to devote time to raising her children and exploring painting.
She said,
“Ninety percent of acting roles involve so much sexual stuff with other people, and I don’t want to do that. It’s such a strange fire to play with, and our relationship is surely strong enough to handle it, but if you’re going to walk through fire, there has to be something incredible on the other side.”
Since 2014, Sobieski identifies more as a mother and outsider, assisting her husband’s business and pursuing personal creativity.
Portia de Rossi Transitions from Acting to Business Ventures
Portia de Rossi ended her acting career around age 45 to start a consumer-art business, General Public. She communicated her decision to collaborators and gracefully exited notable television roles with support.
Rossi recounted,
“I called Mitch Hurwitz, who’s the creator of Arrested Development and I said, ‘If there is a season 5, I won’t be doing it because I quit acting.’ He seemed really understanding and he totally got it. We had a great conversation, and then he wrote me into five episodes.”
Daniel Day-Lewis Retires but Plans New Project with Son
Following an acclaimed career with multiple Academy Awards, Daniel Day-Lewis announced retirement from acting after his last film. However, he later chose to collaborate with his son Ronan Day-Lewis on a new project titled Anemone, marking his return to the screen.
His representative stated,
“He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject.”
Bridgit Mendler Pursues Academic and Entrepreneurial Goals Outside Hollywood
Bridgit Mendler stepped away from acting to focus on education, earning advanced degrees from MIT and Harvard Law School. She also launched Northwood Space, a tech startup aimed at building satellite ground stations for space communications, where she serves as CEO.
Her transition exemplifies a growing trend among former actors pursuing diverse and innovative careers outside the entertainment industry.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Can Nicole Kidman have biological children?
A. The Hollywood actress has four kids. She adopted a son and a daughter. She also has a daughter she gave birth to and another through surrogacy. Her biological daughters are with her husband, Keith Urban. The couple got married in 2006.
