Nicole Kidman has heard the criticism before. Ever since she won the Academy Award for The Hours, some skeptics have pointed to a familiar Hollywood trope: the idea that actresses only win Oscars when they transform themselves to look less traditionally attractive. Kidman’s portrayal of author Virginia Woolf famously included a prosthetic nose, and over the years, that detail has become shorthand for the argument. But if anyone expected the actress to apologize for the performance, they’re likely to be disappointed, because she has an answer for all the haters.
In a recent conversation with Variety, the Oscar winner reflected on the legacy of the performance while discussing her career, upcoming projects and life in Nashville. When the topic turned to the long-standing commentary about her physical transformation in The Hours, Kidman didn’t seem particularly bothered by the narrative. In fact, she had a pretty straightforward response:
