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Nicole Kidman reveals one COVID-19 side effect she was 'relieved' to get

Home> Entertainment> Celebrity

Published 12:11 12 Mar 2026 GMT

Nicole Kidman reveals one COVID-19 side effect she was 'relieved' to get

The Hollywood A-lister opened up about why in a brand-new podcast appearance

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

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Featured Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Topics: Nicole Kidman, Celebrity, Covid-19, Health, Coronavirus

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

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Nicole Kidman has opened up about the one COVID-19 side effect she was actually 'relieved' to get.

It's now been six years (as of yesterday) since the COVID-19 pandemic officially began on 11th March 2020.

According to the NHS, symptoms are very similar to those of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.

While most people feel better within a few weeks, it can take longer to recover. For some people, it can be a more serious illness, and their symptoms can last longer.

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One of the more common symptoms people reported on was losing their sense of smell - something the 58-year-old Babygirl actress was interestingly quite happy to get.

Speaking in a new interview with comedians Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers on their podcast Las Culturistas, Kidman opened up about one of her biggest pet peeves when it comes to working with fellow Hollywood A-listers on set, especially when it comes to kissing scenes.

She revealed that working with actors who have 'bad breath' has been a problem for her over the years, given her sharp sense of smell.

Nicole Kidman has revealed she was 'relieved' to get one specific COVID-19 symptom (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Nicole Kidman has revealed she was 'relieved' to get one specific COVID-19 symptom (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

"I’m very, very smell sensitive," the Oscar award-winner shared in the episode released Wednesday (11 March. "I’m either drawn to or drawn away based on a smell."

Kidman went on: "You could be the most gorgeous, gorgeous guy, and you come at me with bad breath, and I’m like no, no, no. If I say breathe on me, and I have to recoil? I’m out. I’m out. You could not offer me enough money."

Noting that bad breath 'does not turn me on', the actress added: "It is very important to smell good but more importantly, the mouth — the taste of the mouth and the smell of the mouth — is very important to me."

Elsewhere in the interview, the Scarpetta star said she felt 'relieved' when she temporarily lost her sense of smell after getting COVID.

"Finally, I was free," she recalled.

Kidman also revealed which celebrity, in her opinion, smells the best.

The Hollywood A-lister explained why 'bad breath' was such a major turn-off (Maria Moratti/Getty Images)
The Hollywood A-lister explained why 'bad breath' was such a major turn-off (Maria Moratti/Getty Images)

And, unsurprisingly, she gave the trophy to 'Work' singer Rihanna, 38, saying that her scent was 'intoxicating'.

While experiencing a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste is one symptom of COVID-19, the NHS outlines several others, which include:

  • a high temperature – you may feel hot, cold or shivery, or your skin is hot to the touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
  • shortness of breath
  • feeling tired or exhausted
  • an aching body
  • a headache
  • a sore throat
  • a blocked or runny nose
  • loss of appetite
  • diarrhoea
  • feeling sick or being sick

Find out more about COVID-19 on the official NHS website here.

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