Keith Urban’s recent alteration to a well-known lyric has drawn significant attention amid reports that he and Nicole Kidman have ended their 19-year marriage. The singer’s modification to “The Fighter” occurred just before news surfaced of the Oscar-winning actress filing for divorce, fueling speculation about the couple’s relationship status.
Notable Change in Song Lyrics Raises Questions
Fans noticed that during a performance of The Fighter, Urban replaced his usual lyric,
“When they’re tryna get to you, baby I’ll be the fighter,”
with a personalized line mentioning his collaborator Maggie Baugh. He sang,
“When they’re tryna get to you, Maggie, I’ll be your guitar player,”
in videos shared on social media over the weekend. This shift was significant given that Urban had previously disclosed the song was inspired by his wife, Nicole Kidman.
Background on ‘The Fighter’ and Its Meaning
Urban explained in 2017 that The Fighter reflected early moments in his romance with Kidman. He said,
“It was a very quick song to write because I literally just thought about Nic and I, and our relationship at the beginning and some of the things that we’d said,”
and added,
“And they all went into that song.”
This revelation adds weight to the recent lyric alteration amid the couple’s separation.
Details of Separation and Divorce Filing
Two days after Urban’s performance change, it became public that the couple had separated months earlier, back in June. Nicole Kidman officially filed for divorce on the following Tuesday, according to TMZ. Reports indicate that those close to the pair believe Urban has already moved on and is involved romantically with someone new. A source told TMZ,
“all the signs point to the fact Keith is with another woman. Let’s just say, Nicole doesn’t dispute that, but she’s still shocked over it.”
Another added, “It’s all over Nashville.”
Insight from Sources and Recent Public Appearances
A source speaking to PEOPLE noted it “really hasn’t been a secret” that Urban and Kidman have
“been living separately for a while now,”
and those familiar with Urban’s situation
“felt like the split was kind of inevitable.”
The couple married in 2006 and share two daughters, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14. They were last spotted together publicly in June at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup match held in Nashville between Los Angeles Football Club and Esperance de Tunis.
Final Public Gestures Before the Split News
Shortly after attending the event, the couple marked what would be their 19th wedding anniversary with a heartfelt post from Kidman on Instagram, writing, “Happy Anniversary Baby @KeithUrban.” This message contrasts with the subsequent divorce filing and separation reports, highlighting the recent and sudden nature of their parting.
