Rebecca Rigg, the former wife of actor Simon Baker, is said to be 'shocked and confused' by persistent rumours that he has become romantically involved with her close childhood friend and his co-star, Nicole Kidman. The speculation has reportedly left the 58-year-old actress reeling, as she navigates the fallout from the unverified claims.
Longstanding Friendship and Shared History
Rebecca Rigg was married to Simon Baker, best known for his role in 'The Mentalist', from 1998 until their separation in 2020. She shares a deep, sisterly bond with Nicole Kidman, having been friends for over four decades. Both women grew up in the same area of Sydney, Australia, forging a connection that has endured through the years.
An insider revealed to New Idea magazine, 'She loves Nicole like a sister, they've been through so much over the years so it's extremely shocking for her to get her head round this.' The source emphasised that Rebecca is completely in the dark about the current status between Nicole and Simon, adding to her distress.
Red Carpet Speculation and Lack of Communication
The rumours gained traction after Simon Baker and Nicole Kidman were seen holding hands and beaming together at the red carpet premiere of their new Amazon Prime series, 'Scarpetta', in New York earlier this month. At the event, Nicole admitted their chemistry 'just vibrates', while Simon cheekily remarked, 'I don't kiss and tell'.
Rebecca is reportedly unhappy that neither Nicole nor Simon has reached out to her regarding the wild speculation. 'A lot of their mutual friends assume their hand-holding was a cheesy stunt for the show,' the insider said. 'But the way they're evading questions about their status and then spending all this cosy time together is giving a lot more validity to the rumours.'
Breaking the 'Girl Code' and Family Ties
The situation is further complicated by the close relationship between Rebecca and Nicole. Nicole is the godmother to Rebecca's daughter, Stella Baker, a 31-year-old actress known for 'The Republic of Sarah'. Rebecca, an acclaimed actress herself with roles in productions like 'Jerry Maguire', values transparency, especially as she and Simon continue to co-parent their children post-divorce.
'They split many years ago. They're still co-raising their kids and pride themselves on having a totally transparent relationship,' the source explained. 'For Nicole to act all coy is really breaking the girl code.'
Keith Urban Also Reportedly Devastated
Rebecca is not the only one affected by the romance rumours. Nicole Kidman's ex-husband, country singer Keith Urban, is said to be feeling blindsided and devastated. The couple separated last year, and Keith is reportedly struggling with how quickly Nicole appears to be moving on.
An insider told Woman's Day magazine, 'Seeing Nicole and Simon holding hands was the equivalent of seeing his best mate with his missus, and it did a number on him.' The source added that Keith hoped the display was merely for the cameras, as a genuine romance would be crushing for him.
Background and Encouragement from Friends
Nicole Kidman and Simon Baker have been close for decades, with Nicole also maintaining a friendship with Rebecca Rigg. In January, it was reported that Nicole's A-list friends, including Naomi Watts, were encouraging her to re-enter the dating scene following her divorce. According to Woman's Day, Naomi even suggested Nicole date fellow Australian star Simon Baker.
The pair star as a married couple in 'Scarpetta', adding fuel to the rumours. As the speculation continues, those closest to the situation are left grappling with the potential implications, highlighting the complex web of relationships in Hollywood's elite circles.
