An Ode to Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s PDA

Kidman and Urban’s public displays of affection have always been like this, too. At the Australian Open in 2008, he can be spotted touching her facing, nuzzling, and presumably whispering sweet nothings in her ear. In 2013 at the Cannes Film Festival, Urban moves in for a kiss in front of the cameras, while the actor leans into his embrace. At the Time 100 Gala in 2018, Kidman is touching Urban’s shoulder and smiling tenderly. In each photo, both are equally in each other’s space without any tug-of-war. That’s important!

PDA is a tricky thing. Some people believe it’s a sign of one partner flexing ownership over the other, or that it is for couples to convince those around them (and maybe even themselves!) that their relationship is sturdy and strong. This all might be true, but in Urban and Kidman’s case, it simply feels like the can’t-harness-it energy that someone might have with their first love. And how could their interactions give first-love vibes? Kissing is good! Kissing is great for your health! Studies show that whenever those lips (and tongues) touch, the sensual action releases happy chemicals (oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin), lowers stress, and even increases overall relationship satisfaction. In other words, when the kiss train keeps chugging along, so do those passionate feelings about partners and relationships. And hell, Urban and Kidman have been on that kiss train for a long time.

Behind the smooching, we can only speculate what their relationship is like. And while no one knows but them, there have been some rare moments of deeper insight. At a panel in 2018 for Parade, Kidman was quoted as “never texting” Urban, noting that she prefers to FaceTime or call because “texting can be misrepresentative at times.” She also added that she prefers “voice to voice and skin to skin,” which reinforces the importance of radically open communication in keeping a relationship alive. In that same interview, she adds that she and Urban always make time for one another, even if it requires an overnight flight. What can I say? The two just love to be together!