Keith Urban is a Grammy-winning country music singer, primarily recognized for his pop-rock influences and honest lyrics. For years, he had graced the stages with his songs, set behind melodious guitar tunes and strong emotions.
Now living every singer’s dream, Urban can only muse over how far he has come. The beginning of his career was not as glam as his life today, and he waded through some murky waters before achieving the near-perfect life he has today.
Keith Urban attends 28th Annual American Music Awards on January 8, 2001 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
It was the early 90s, and Urban, then considered a long-haired guitar-slinging oddity, had just entered the music scenes. Nobody thought he was good enough, despite doing his best.
He lived on the shabby side of town and had a roommate who was a little too keen on using drugs. For a while, Urban stayed put, but when a girl he was dating broke up with him, he spiraled out of control and found himself caught up in the eternal cycle of careless drinking and drug use.
Musician Keith Urban during performs on March 15, 2001 | Source: Getty Images
It became his lifestyle of choice for Urban, and he lived that way for years until someone came his way that made him change for the better.
Nicole Kidman Came into His Life and Became His Savior
Urban wallowed in his dilapidating lifestyle for over a decade, a livelihood marred with intense drug use and alcohol abuse. But in 2005, his fate seemed to change when he met the lovely “Eyes Wide Shut” actress Nicole Kidman.
The two fell in love fast, and the following year, they walked down the aisle in a romantic ceremony in Australia. However, his new life was not enough to stop his habits. Four months into their marriage, Urban’s drinking habits were already posing significant problems in the new union.
Still, instead of walking away, Kidman was hell-bent on helping her husband beat his habits, and the same year they walked down the aisle, Kidman staged an intervention for her new husband.
She helped him check into a rehab center, and after three months of inpatient hard work, the “You’ll Think of Me” singer returned home dedicated to staying on the sober train. He muses:
“I caused the implosion of my fresh marriage. It survived, but it’s a miracle it did.”
Urban admits that that time of his life was the hardest, a fact to which Kidman can testify. He confesses that it got to a point where he favored dying.
Urban considers Kidman his savior. The singer says he was spiritually awoken with her, and for the first time since the 90s, he felt he could shake off the shackles of addiction.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban share an affectionate moment at the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. | Source: Getty Images
But how did a mild-mannered and soft-spoken kid’s life turn so drastic? When did the rain start beating him? Urban blames his adversities entirely on his upbringing.
Urban’s Childhood Influenced His Future Choices
The “Only You Can Love Me This Way” singer describes his childhood as anything but ideal. He grew up with an alcoholic father who never once told him he loved him.
Urban says that whenever he did a gig on stage that he thought deserved a compliment, his father would always find a way to criticize him, and it ate at him for the longest time.
The constant moving and lack of intimacy from his parents contributed mainly to his behavior as an adult. He remembers his dad as a physical disciplinarian, and his respite for showing love to his son traumatized Urban for many years.
However, he says he respected his dad and is forever grateful that he pushed him toward developing a music career. The “Don’t Let Me Down” singer says that he spent most of his childhood trying to get his dad’s approval, and in a way, that pushed him to be a better singer. He says:
“I’m sure I had it when I was five, but I acted like I never had it, and it just has driven me my whole life. Then I just kept doing it. I was a little kid trying to get my dad’s attention.”
Sadly, Urban’s dad, Robert, was diagnosed with cancer and suffered from the illness for a long time until his passing on December 5, 2015.
Despite all that happened in his childhood, Urban mourned the loss of his dad. He noted that he loved his dad enough to want him not to endure any more pain. “I had to remove my selfishness from that.” He says.
Urban Is Living His Dream and Is a Doting Dad to His Girls
For years, Urban dreamed about having his own family and, moreso, becoming a dad. “I am looking forward to fatherhood. I have always wanted to be a good dad.” He told The Sunday Telegraph, as People reports.
That dream came to fruition after the singer beat his addiction with the help of his wife. They welcomed their first child, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, in July 2008 and the second, Faith Margaret Kidman Urban, in 2010.
The singer always thought he knew what it would be like to have children, but the truth soon dawned on him that he had no idea.
But when he welcomed his two little girls, he realized that becoming a dad was an unexplainable feeling until you’ve walked in those shoes:
“So I’m glad I got to experience that.”
Urban confessed he was happy to experience fatherhood, noting that he loved being a dad to girls. He grew up with one brother and no sister, and having girls around the house changed his view on many things and has been a learning curve for him.
Despite their daughters growing up with stars for parents, Urban and Kidman try to shield them from the spotlight as best they can. He disclosed that they did the most ordinary things as a family and did not live on social media like many other stars.
Urban has achieved a lot. He is living many people’s dreams with a prolific career in music and a successful family life.
However, he says his family inspires him the most, and despite the fame, his role as a doting father to his babies and a loving husband to Kidman remains perhaps the most crucial part of his life.
uinn (@QuinnKeaney) January 8, 2018