Nicole Kidman has opened up about the viral Oscar moment that made her rethink her clapping style. In an insightful interview with Vanity Fair for its 2025 Hollywood Issue, the Australian actress reflected on the famous 2017 moment at the 89th Academy Awards when her clapping went viral for resembling that of a seal.
Kidman, known for her elegance on the red carpet, confessed that she had been “ridiculed” for her unusual clapping technique. While discussing the moment with her Lion co-star Dev Patel, she humorously demonstrated the signature clap. “I know what I do when I clap, and I’ve been ridiculed for that,” she shared, imitating the gesture. Dev, recognizing the viral moment, quipped, “I’ve seen that,” leading Nicole to reveal that she now consciously claps in a more conventional way, admitting, “I now try to clap like this.”
The viral clapping moment became a topic of much discussion after the Oscars, with fans and media jokingly comparing her clap to a seal’s. However, Kidman acknowledged that it wasn’t just the clap but the context that made it awkward. In a previous interview on the Kyle & Jackie O Australian radio show, she confessed, “It was really awkward! I was like, ‘Gosh, I want to clap. I don’t want to not be clapping.’”
Nicole further explained that the awkwardness was compounded by her oversized ring, which wasn’t her own, but one she considered “absolutely gorgeous.” She was concerned about damaging it, adding to her stress during the ceremony.
In the same interview, Kidman also discussed her experiences working with both female and male directors. The actress expressed a strong sense of intimacy and connection with most of the directors she has worked with. “I’ve worked with some of the greatest, and I feel intimacy with most directors that I work with,” Kidman shared. She also highlighted her efforts to support women in the industry, saying, “I’m trying to support all of these women at all different ages, at all different stages in their careers… I’m here and I’m at your disposal.”
With her candid reflections on both her viral moment and her career, Nicole Kidman continues to inspire with her honesty and advocacy for women in the film industry.
