Nicole Kidman strikes a series of dramatic poses as she arrives at the 2026 Oscars in a pink feathered gown – after being ‘ridiculed’ over THAT seal clap at the same event a few years ago
Nicole Kidman certainly made an entrance as she arrived at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
The Australian actress struck a series of dramatic poses as she sauntered onto the red carpet in an ethereal baby pink feathered strapless gown by Chanel.
The dress featured a shimmering silver-sequined bodice and a whimsical, feather accent around the waist.
She accessorised the ensemble with some stunning diamond jewels, also by Chanel, including a pair of glittering drop earrings with a giant pearl in the middle of the setting, a dainty diamond watch and some show-stopping rings.
The Scarpetta star, 58, pouted and preened, tossing her strawberry blonde locks as she posed for the cameras.
At one point, she even appeared to clap – a throwback to when she was caught on camera giving a round of applause ‘like a seal’ at the very same awards show back in 2017.
Nicole Kidman certainly made an entrance as she arrived at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles
The Australian actress struck a series of dramatic poses as she sauntered onto the red carpet in an ethereal baby pink feathered strapless gown by Chanel
The Scarpetta star, 58, pouted and preened, tossing her strawberry blonde locks as she posed for the cameras
Nicole addressed her humiliation during a video shoot for Vanity Fair’s 2025 Hollywood Issue, revealing that she’s now more conscious about how she shows her appreciation.
Appearing alongside Skins actor Dev Patel, Nicole said as they made conversation in front of the camera: ‘I know what I do when I clap, and I’ve been ridiculed for that.’
She then mimicked her seal-like applause, prompting Dev to comment, ‘I’ve seen that.’
‘I now try to clap like this,’ Nicole confessed, showing off her delicate and light applause that sees the tips of her fingers making contact with her palm.
Nicole sent social media into meltdown at the Oscars in 2017 when she was seen enthusiastically applauding after Charlize Theron took to the stage to introduce an award.
‘Anyone see Nicole Kidman clapping? She claps like a seal,’ one person wrote at the time.
Nicole later addressed her unusual gesture, revealing that it was all down to a bit of a wardrobe malfunction.
Speaking on Australian radio show Kyle & Jackie O, she recalled: ‘It was really awkward! I was like, ‘Gosh, I want to clap. I don’t want to not be clapping.
Nicole played it up for the cameras
At one point, she even appeared to clap – a throwback to when she was caught on camera giving a round of applause ‘like a seal’ at the very same awards show back in 2017
Nicole wore minimal makeup on her complexion and her strawberry locks out in loose waves
Nicole accessorised the ensemble with some stunning diamond jewels, including a pair of glittering drop earrings with a giant pearl in the middle of the setting, an antique diamond watch and some show-stopping rings
The mother-of-four opted for a nude manicure to completement her dress
‘It was really difficult because I had a huge ring on that was not my own, but it was absolutely gorgeous, and I was terrified of damaging it!’
Mother-of-four Nicole was dripping in diamonds on her special night, sporting bracelets on both wrists as well as drop earrings.
This is the first time Nicole has attended the Oscars as a single woman.
Last year in September, it was revealed that the actress and Urban had split after 19 years of marriage.
It came after the pair had hit a rocky path in summer 2025, with the separation being a reportedly a long-term development, according to Daily Mail sources.
Not long after ringing in the new year, the former couple reached a settlement agreement to finalize the divorce.
During an interview with Variety last week, Nicole opened up about the divorce and shared how she is now ‘moving forward.’
‘What I’m grateful for is my family, and keeping them as is, and moving forward. That’s that.’
The Big Little Lies star added, ‘I’m staying in a place of, “We are a family,” and that’s what we’ll continue to be. My beautiful girls, my darlings, who are suddenly women.’
When questioned if she was ‘doing all right’ after the split, the actress replied, ‘I am, because I’m always going to be moving toward what’s good.’
‘[Last year] I was quiet. I had other things going on. I was in my shell. Now I’m in a place of saying, “2026. Here we go.”‘
Kidman recently took on a leading role in the Amazon Prime Video series Scarpetta – which was released on the streaming site on March 11.
The cast of the thriller includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker and Ariana DeBose.
The premise follows, ‘A brilliant forensic pathologist who uses forensic technology to solve crimes,’ per IMDB.
