Nicole Kidman’s aspiring model daughter, Sunday Rose, has responded to the “nepo baby” label attached to her early career.
The 18-year-old student made her magazine-cover debut with Vogue Germany , where she openly discussed the advantages that come with having two internationally famous parents.
Sunday is the daughter of Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, 59, and Australian country star Keith Urban, 58. She appeared briefly in the hit drama Big Little Lies in 2019 and attended her first Met Gala at 17.
Speaking about the criticism, Sunday acknowledged that her family background has opened doors, saying: ‘I’m very aware that I’m given opportunities that not everyone can have, and I’m truly grateful to be able to take advantage of them.’
She added: ‘When I’m at work, I make sure to always give my best, never come to work with a negative attitude, no matter how tired or jet-lagged I may be, and treat everyone with respect.’
In July, Kidman marked her daughter’s 18th birthday with a heartfelt public tribute.
Nicole Kidman’s rising model daughter Sunday Rose has spoken about being called a nepo baby; the pair are pictured together at the Met Gala in May
The 18-year-old student made her Vogue Germany cover debut while discussing the career opportunities linked to her famous family
Sunday, who has a 15-year-old sister, Faith Margaret, stepped into the spotlight at 16 when she began working as a runway model. Her early appearances drew sharp online reactions, with critics targeting her serious expression, forceful walk and status as a celebrity offspring.
Rather than retreat from the criticism, Sunday continued building her fashion career. In July, she walked in Dior’s Paris Fashion Week show.
The following day, she turned 18 and received a loving Instagram message from Kidman. ‘Happy 18th my angel, you couldn’t be more loved,’ the actress wrote.
Kidman shared two photographs from Sunday’s childhood: one showing her holding her daughter and another capturing Sunday running around in an angel costume.
Reese Witherspoon, Kidman’s Big Little Lies co-star, joined the birthday wishes in the comments, writing: ‘Happy Birthday, Sunny.’
The birthday was also Sunday’s first since her parents finalized their divorce in January. The couple had separated early the previous summer after 19 years of marriage.
Following news of the split, older videos resurfaced showing Urban sharing playful onstage moments with 26-year-old guitarist Maggie Baugh, prompting speculation about a possible romance.
In one clip from Las Vegas, Urban pointed toward Baugh while singing, ‘I was born to love you.’ Another video, filmed during a Chicago performance, showed him changing the lyric ‘Baby I’ll be the fighter’ to ‘Maggie, I’ll be your guitar player.’
Kidman celebrated her daughter’s 18th birthday in July with a series of childhood photographs
The birthday tribute included a photo of Sunday in Kidman’s arms and another of her wearing an angel costume
The day before turning 18, Sunday Rose walked the runway at Dior’s Paris Fashion Week show
Nicole Kidman shares Sunday and 15-year-old Faith Margaret with former husband Keith Urban; Kidman is pictured with both daughters in March
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He and Kidman reached a divorce agreement in January in which they each waived their rights to child support and alimony, in court documents viewed by the Daily Mail.
The parenting plan awarded Kidman custody for 306 days a year, while Urban would get the children for 59 days annually, which is to say ‘every other weekend.’
Sunday made her Met Gala debut this May, wearing Dior as she posed alongside her Chanel-clad mother, who was one of the co-chairs of the event.
Her cozy appearance with Kidman at ‘fashion’s night out’ came on the heels of reports that Sunday had unfollowed her father on Instagram.
Speculation was aboil that Urban had taken up with rising country singer Karley Scott Collins, 26, resulting in tension with his daughters.
Sunday and Faith were allegedly ‘refusing to meet Urban’s new girlfriend’ out of loyalty to Kidman, according to celebrity reporter Rob Shuter.
‘The girls are really focused on mum right now,’ a family friend told Shuter. ‘They’re adjusting to all the changes, and it’s natural they want to protect their space.’
Another insider explained that Urban was ‘trying to balance his own life with his daughters’ needs,’ adding that the crooner ‘wants them to be comfortable, but the girls’ priority is their mum and their own well-being.’
The milestone marked Sunday’s first birthday since her parents finalized their divorce this January, having separated last summer after a marriage of 19 years; Kidman and Urban pictured May
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Sunday made her catwalk debut at the Miu Miu show at Paris Fashion Week in October 2024, for which she was roundly trolled online.
‘Try painting or acting instead. This is not for her,’ wrote one social media user, as another wondered: ‘Oh please why be a model so many other things to do.’
‘I can hear the heels slapping the floor,’ noted still another, as a fourth snarled: ‘Stop hiring average looking nepo babies who can’t walk! We need the hungry unknown girls from developing countries who are naturally STUNNING.’
‘She’s trying so hard to look fierce but just looks like a petulant child stomping their feet,’ another social media commentator observed.
Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin’s daughter Amelia Hamlin was also on that Miu Miu runway, as was Sting and Trudy Styler’s daughter Eliot Sumner.
Shortly after the show, a source exclusively informed the Daily Mail of how upset Kidman was by the criticism leveled at her daughter online.
‘Nicole was the same age as Sunday when she landed her first acting role and she was told back then to try something else,’ the insider pointed out.
‘Nicole faced “no’s” without having famous parents to shoo her in the door so she understands the criticism but it also upsets her because she is reminded of the hell she went through when she got her start,’ the source continued.
‘Ultimately, Nicole and Keith are so proud of her and they are letting her forge her own path. Her advice to her daughter was the same advice she gives herself – do not read social media. She will support her in whatever path she chooses.’