Nicole Kidman explains why she wore that controversial outfit on the cover of Vanity Fair

Nicole Kidman was very much onboard with all the fashion choices for her February 2022 Vanity Fair cover — because she pushed for them herself.

In a new interview with Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann for Australian Vogue, the Oscar winner spoke about the controversial look, which featured her in a Miu Miu set that included a black and white micro-mini skirt and matching bralette top. At the time, Kidman was promoting her film Being the Ricardos, in which she portrayed comedy legend Lucille Ball.

While Luhrman, who also directed Kidman in the film Australia, said that he “loved” the look, Kidman acknowledged the controversy surrounding the cover. However, she said she was totally in control of what she wore that day.

She recalled, “I showed up and they had another outfit for me and I was like, ‘No, no, I like this one! Am I allowed to wear that?’ And [the stylist] Katie Grand, who’s just fantastic, was on Zoom, and Katie was like ‘You're willing to wear that?!’ And I said, ‘Wear it?! I’m begging you to wear it!’”

While she said she did walk away wondering if what she wore was “ridiculous,” she ultimately decided that she didn’t care.

“Cause you know that part about me where I’m like, ‘I’m just going to do what I want to do, ultimately!’ And just have some fun,” she continued. “And just commit, like really commit when I show up, do it. But there’s got to be some fun. And sometimes it’s going to work, and sometimes it isn’t. But I love the idea of being bold and not fitting into a box.”

Kidman said she felt similarly about accepting the role of Ball. In an interview with Yahoo Entertainment in 2021, she shared why she decided to dive into the biographical film, which was written and directed by Aaron Sorkin.

“I was like, ‘Oh my God, what an incredible gift of a role and an opportunity.’ And then it was like having to climb the mountain and going, ‘Am I actually going to be able to climb it? So that was sort of what I was grappling with,” Kidman said at the time. “And then I sort of just started to absorb her and watch her and fall madly in love with her and her talent and what she was able to do.”

Video: Nicole Kidman on preparing to play Lucille Ball

Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Life’s newsletter.