In control of her career and love life

Nicole Kidman has a lot to look forward to this year. After marrying country singer Keith Urban, sticking by him during his rehab troubles, and putting up with her ex-husband's very public life, new wife, Katie Holmes, and toddler daughter, Suri, she has her own nesting going on. Ms Kidman recently announced that she is pregnant and due this summer, possibly July.

While the 40-year-old Oscar-winner actress has been mother of two: Isabella, 15, and Connor, 13, with ex-husband, Tom Cruise, she had a miscarriage years ago after splitting from Mr Cruise.

She is over the moon at the thought of the new baby in their lives. She is not revealing the sex of the child and has responded by saying "it is too personal and a secret".

While she was eager to talk about cuddly creatures in The Golden Compass, she seemed more eager during a recent chat in to talk about her hubby, Mr Urban and her role as Mrs Urban.

Ms Kidman and Mr Urban met in January 2005, and married in Manly, on Sydney's northern beaches, 18 months later. They have been spending time in Australia with her extended family while they prepare for the welcome new addition to their lives.

What is it like exactly, being Nicole Kidman, and do you ever worry about having to live up to that iconic status forever?
Well, I can say now I'm an actress, and that's okay. You know, I don't have to apologise for that.

Do you feel you're at a place of happiness and fulfilment in life now?
I'm very pleased to be in a place where I can just say, I have my home, I have my marriage, and I'm able to now follow an artistic path and still take care of myself. You know, you can have a lot of fear about being able to take care of yourself for the rest of your life.

Well, at the same time, so much of it is about sharing your happiness, or sharing those moments. Because otherwise, what are they? And, you know, the people that we are able to find as a partner, and someone you're willing to walk through life with and share some of those things with.

Which is more important, work or family?
There is no contest. Family wins. I love my work, but at the same time I don't want to do it without having somebody else in my life to share that with. But I feel I'm so privileged. Particularly because I'm 40 years old, and playing some of the greatest roles I've had the opportunity to play in the last couple of years.

You're one of the hardest-working actresses these days. So do you have any time to bake cupcakes?

I'm hardworking, I suppose. But I also like to have fun. And domestically, what I'm good at, I suppose my thing is cooking. So that's the thing that I would like to become better at. But it actually relaxes me. So I don't see it as work. And I really enjoy being able to... make things! But otherwise, forget it. I can't sew. And I'm a very poor knitter.

Some men are intimidated by women with power. Has that been your own experience with men?
I don't see myself as terribly powerful or successful. I see myself more as just absolutely loving what I do. And with that has come all of the other things that you sort of deal with in relation to that.

But I love to act. I love to play women, and to have the opportunity to play an array of women who are fascinating and complicated. You know, that's a dream as an actress.

So in terms of men in relation to that, I think a lot of it is that you maybe don't have a lot of time to give to somebody else. Which then is about how to balance. Because when you're passionate about what you do, how are you then passionate about somebody in your life? And I suppose that all just works out. Or does it!

So in relation to power and success, I never even think like that. It's not something that I am focusing on. It's more about just having the blessings at the moment to do some things creatively. And to express things that I have going on inside my head.

In Hollywood, there's pressure on women to look perfect all the time.

How do you deal with that?
I don't know if it's about being perfect, to be honest. As an actress, I think when you go down that red carpet, in a way it's honouring the history of it. And you dress for that. And you enjoy it... you say; this is the fun part. It's like you get dressed for the prom. It's a good thing to do. And in a way you're saying, it's nice to put on a beautiful dress and feel good.

At the same time, on screen I don't feel the need to have to always depict perfection. I mean actually, I feel the opposite. I choose roles that are diverse.

But when you do step out to go to premieres, or award shows and stuff, then it's actually quite nice to make an effort.

What is your view of stay-at-home mums?
My mother was at home for most of her life. And I don't think I ever saw her in stilettos and her hair all done while she was baking a cake, you know? I mean, sure, she would cook, and she could sew like the best of them. She'd make all our clothes, and everything. But she was real, and complicated. And a wonderful, wonderful role model for me. And a wonderful woman.

You seem to stay close to home these days for movie roles. How come?
Because I have two kids (and a third on the way). And I certainly won't go certain places in the world, because of my kids. So I hope it doesn't appear that I'm rushing on a lot of movies. Because I really value and honour my work, and what it brings to me.

Do you let the kids watch your own movies you're in?
Oh, they don't see those! I thought my children were too young to come with me to the Oscars, which I now regret. But I took them to this film event, where they showed clips from Eyes Wide Shut. I was like, that's it, head under the table!

You work hard, you fail, you succeed. But that's parenting, isn't it. But I'm really, really, tough. I mean, I never take my kids to premieres. They've never been photographed for magazines, nothing.

I'm absolutely like a maniac about that. And the only photos of them that have ever been printed, are like paparazzi long lens.

Are you protective of your kids?
My job is to try to give them their life. And once they're 16, if they go, I want to be an actor, or this or that, then it's different. But up until that point ? I sound like I'm talking to them now ? I'm the mother, and what I say, goes!

But you have to be careful. And it's because you care.

Do you pay attention to your reviews in the press?
I would just like to do good work. That's basically my interest in working with complex really, really good directors. And sometimes that results in great films, in films that were reaching high and didn't get there.

How have you reacted to all the controversy brewing about The Golden Compass being anti-Christian?
I think there's almost an alarmist approach to it right now. But when you see the film, that will be dissipated. Simply put, I don't want to make a film that's anti-religious or anti-Catholic. I come from a Catholic family, so that's not something that my grandmother would be very happy about! And I don't really think that's what I'm involved in.

I have two children, and four nieces and nephews. And I think there is a lot of weight now on that next generation of children. You know, we need to help educate them, and not numb the minds of our children.

So that's something I'm very committed to, trying to constantly promote reading, and all of the things that used to be far more prevalent. And that now are not, because of the internet.

Are you in charge of your career, and do you make your own decisions?
Oh yeah. I have two agents whom I have worked with my entire career. I've never changed anyone in my life, really. I pride myself in being very loyal. But I think over a lifetime, you have to be responsible for your own decisions.

And I think as a woman, it's lovely to be paid well for what you do. Primarily I'm there for the long haul, so I do small films. But occasionally I'll do a big film. I suppose my heart is about the artistic part.

It's wonderful to have financial rewards. And at the same time, I'm in a place where I can just now work as a woman, in the things I want to do. And that's hard earned. So I can take care of myself and the rest of my family, and do films when I want to do them. And that's a very blessed place to be in.

Do you think you'll wind up making The Lady of Shanghai with Wong Kar Wai?
I'm not willing to go and live in another country for a year. Right now, I'm still fairly recently married. So, that's my priority. So I'm not doing The Lady of Shanghai. It's not right for my life right now.

Are there any directors you haven't worked with yet, that are on your personal wish list?
I really would love to work with Martin Scorsese. I'd love him to construct a film around a woman. I still ask him all the time. Because I'd be interested in seeing that movie.

What actresses have inspired and influenced you?
I don't just think of actresses, I think of people in all walks of life. I think what's lacking in the times now, is the respect for our elders. Which I know sounds pretty old-fashioned, but I think there is so much wisdom to be gained from that.

Those older actors have devoted their lives to this. And when we see people who have given their lives to their art, I have such admiration for that.

What's the high of acting for you?
I don't want to do the things that I know. I'm interested in the psychology of what I don't know. So, my own references are probably less interesting to me. I'm interested in learning the human mind and different people's natures, and the way in which we play that out. That fascinates me. Human beings fascinate me.