If you were reading tabloids in 2003, you probably saw the grainy photos. Nicole Kidman, fresh off an Oscar win and a very loud divorce from Tom Cruise, was frequently spotted darting out of a Manhattan apartment building. Sometimes she was followed by a guy in leather pants and aviators. That guy was Lenny Kravitz.
For years, we all just assumed they were "hanging out." Maybe it was a rebound. Maybe they were just close friends. Then, in 2017, Kidman casually dropped a truth bomb during a press junket for Big Little Lies that made everyone stop and rewind the tape. She wasn't just dating the rock legend. They were actually engaged.
The Landlord-Tenant Situation That Turned Romantic
The way they met is kind of hilarious in a "rich people problems" way. Around 2002, Kidman was renovating her $8 million West Village apartment. Since you can't exactly live in a construction zone when you're an A-lister, she needed a place to stay. Lenny Kravitz happened to be her landlord. She subletted his Manhattan property, and apparently, the security deposit wasn't the only thing they discussed.
It wasn't just a fling. By 2003, they were a full-blown item. They were spotted at Tavern on the Green, whispering at David Copperfield’s birthday party, and hitting up Naomi Watts’ 35th birthday bash. They even lived together for a while.
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Zoë Kravitz, Lenny’s daughter and Nicole's eventual co-star, was about 13 at the time. She remembers Nicole as a "pretty amazing" almost-stepmom. Nicole would take her to the movies and just be, well, nice. It’s wild to think that over a decade before they played Monterey moms on HBO, they were sharing breakfast in a New York kitchen.
Why the Wedding Never Happened
So, if they were engaged and the kids liked her, why did it fall apart? Honestly, timing is a cliché for a reason. Kidman eventually opened up to Vanity Fair (though she didn't name Lenny at the time) saying, "It just wasn't right. I wasn't ready. We weren't ready."
The "Deep Connection" Struggle
Nicole has always been open about the fact that she doesn't really "date." She’s a "get engaged or get married" type of person. She craves deep, soul-level connections. At that point in her life, she was still navigating the wreckage of her marriage to Cruise and trying to protect her children, Connor and Isabella.
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- The Rockstar Factor: Lenny was deep in his rock-and-roll lifestyle—touring, constant movement, the whole scene.
- The Stability Factor: Nicole was looking for a "small hubbub" of safety for her family.
- The Celibacy Vow: Interestingly, shortly after they split, Lenny famously took a vow of celibacy that lasted for years. He was looking for something spiritual and deep, too, but perhaps their versions of that didn't align in 2003.
By the time 2005 rolled around, Nicole met Keith Urban. A year later, they were married. Lenny, on the other hand, stayed single, though he’s been linked to everyone from Adriana Lima to Naomi Campbell over the years.
The 2026 "Revenge Romance" Rumors
Now, here is where things get interesting for anyone following the news right now in early 2026. After nearly 20 years of marriage, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban shocked the world by filing for divorce late last year.
Almost immediately, the rumor mill started spinning. People are calling it her "revenge romance era." Sources close to the actress have suggested that she and Lenny have stayed in touch. In fact, they’ve been seen hugging at award shows for years, often with Keith right there. There’s never been bad blood.
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Lenny is 61 now. Nicole is 58. They are both single at the same time for the first time in two decades. While neither has confirmed a "Round 2," the chemistry they had in that Manhattan apartment in 2003 apparently never fully evaporated. Whether they actually rekindle things or just remain the world's most supportive exes, their history is a reminder that Hollywood "flings" are often much deeper than the paparazzi photos suggest.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Story
If you're trying to keep up with the latest on Kidman and Kravitz, stay away from the "anonymous source" tabloids that promise a wedding next week. Instead, look for these specific indicators of a real reconciliation:
- Public Appearance Patterns: Look for them at high-profile events like the Met Gala or Paris Fashion Week. They have a history of "accidentally" being in the same VIP sections.
- Zoë’s Socials: Zoë Kravitz is the bridge between them. If Nicole starts popping up in family-style photos again, that’s a much stronger signal than a RadarOnline headline.
- Interview Nuance: Listen to how they talk about "soulmates" in upcoming press cycles. Lenny has recently been very vocal about being ready for a partner after his long spiritual journey.
The Kidman-Kravitz saga proves that sometimes the person you rent an apartment from ends up being a lot more than just a landlord. It just took us fifteen years to find out the truth.