The Real Reason A Fan 'Whacked' Nicole Kidman At The Opera

Who would want to be mean Nicole Kidman? It appears Kidman and her hubby Keith Urban had a wild night when they saw the Merry Widow with Kidman's mother at the Sydney Opera House. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, after the performance, the couple stood up and gave the actors a standing ovation. The newspaper reported, "Keith leapt to his feet for a good old-fashioned standing O at the end of the show. Nicole quickly followed suit and most of the audience joined them eventually ... except a gentleman sitting behind the famous couple."

The Sydney Morning Herald continued, "At this point, allegedly, the gentleman swatted Academy award-winning Kidman with his program, prompting Urban to accuse the man of assaulting his wife." According to the outlet, security apparently arrived to the scene to "escort the couple and Kidman's mum out of the audience." The Sydney Morning Herald also noted "Kidman was apparently visibly upset" after getting hit by the program, while Urban and the "whacker" got into an argument. Keep reading to find out why Kidman was "whacked" at the Sydney Opera House!

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's night out at the Sydney Opera House in January 2021 turned sour after a surly audience member hit the actor with his program. The man was upset that the Oscar winner and musician gave the performers a standing ovation because it is against tradition. 

Urban opened up about the incident on Australia's KIIS FM (via The Today Show). Recounting the fracas on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, Urban said, "We didn't know you're not supposed to stand in the opera. We're sitting down, we're with Nic's mom, and we're clapping. It was a bloody great performance, it was so good, and I'm looking around, and we're cheering and cheering, everybody's cheering, and I look around, and I see a few people standing, and a few more, and I went, 'Oh, bloody hell, I'm getting up.'"

Some citizens of Australia are reportedly upset by the cranky man who whacked Kidman. The Sydney Morning Herald wrote, "Imagine it was someone's first time at the Opera House and they had to endure the embarrassing ordeal of being chastised by a curmudgeonly old bloke desperately grasping on to antiquated opera etiquette in an attempt to keep the art form reserved for the elite." Let's hope the famous couple has better experience next time they go to the opera.