Thursday, April 30, 2009

UNIFEM: Nicole's saving grace?

What is an actress to do when the movie roles dry up fast? A common problem with actresses in their 40s. However, many would argue that if a person is a good actor then the film offers will keep rolling in, regardless of their age. Just look at Meryl Streep, for example. Luckily Nicole still has the UNIFEM Ambassador role to fall back on, which still allows her some of the public adoration she craves.

This week Nicole welcomed the Australian Government's plan to reduce violence against women which sees it committing to recommendations outlined in a major report prepared by the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. In excerpts from her statement, Nicole Kidman commends the Australian Government’s action:
"As UNIFEM's Goodwill Ambassador, for the past three years I've worked to amplify women's voices and shine a light on the global pandemic of violence against women and girls, which affects as many as one in three during their lifetime. The more I've learned, the clearer it is that ending violence against women is a problem with solutions. I commend the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, and the Government of Australia, for their strong endorsement to implement targeted actions. The national plan calls for actions and investment. As spokesperson for UNIFEM's Say NO to Violence against Women campaign, I've seen that Governments from many parts of the world are increasingly recognizing that ending violence against women is a national and international priority. Australia's leadership, through the national plan to reduce violence against women, sends a strong and hopeful signal that working together, we can change attitudes and practices and prevent these crimes against women and girls. It takes us all to 'say NO to Violence' and provide the services and accountability that will literally save women's lives."
As this Blog has said before, initiatives like UNIFEM are examples of where movie stars or ex-movie stars can use their names for worthwhile causes. However, whether Nicole should be allowed to write her own speeches is another issue. Think especially of the cringe worthy "March for Babies" speech. Perhaps she got some help this time round.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I guarantee that she had help on this one. As a formerly abused woman, I can honestly say that I do not want her speaking for me. She needs to answer for the misdeeds of her employees in the beating of the paparazzi. Drawing attention to issues by talking about them is fine. But, Princess Diana, actually went where the land mines were. She needs to renounce violence herself. Not just speechify.

not anon said...

Well I'm sure the Australian Government is thrilled beyond belief that Ms. Kidman has commended them on their actions. Is that supposed to be like getting the Good Housekeeping seal of approval?

Choice said...

That is a very good point ANON 12:50. Nicole is being hypocrictical here after what her bodyguard did to the photographer. Nicole would probably say that there is a difference because the photographer was a male.
I'm sure she only does the UNIFEM thing because it gives her attention. She would gain more credibility if she visited women's refuges. She could, for example, even consider respite-fostering a child who lives in a situation where the mother has been abused. The thing is, does she really believe she has any credibility with women in this situation when they all know what a charmed life she's lived?

maclen said...

Well, basically that is the extent of kidman's charity effort...attaching herself to actual charity organizations and their efforts, and releasing a comment "approving" of the efforts and appearing at the "new conferences" to get the spotlight and attention of the news cycles when she has a movie to promote. That she would ever get her boney butt out their to the people she "claims" to speak for would cut into her film shoots and photo ops.

Anonymous said...

As someone who has worked in the UN system this speech was definitely written by someone else, not by NK. Obviously a programme officer or someone in the media and communications section wrote this.

Anonymous said...

I hate to sound cynical but looking at the photo of Nicole wearing spectacles, which she hasn't worn to anything else, makes me suspect that it's just another publicity opportunity for her, and that she's treating it very much like a movie role. Like a lot about Nicole Kidman, it looks really contrived and phoney. I think that her narcissism must be gigantic.

JOY said...

At least she does lend her name, face, persona to worthwhile causes. If one cent is raised or awareness is gained for these worthy causes because she does this it is all worth it. We all can't get out there and do the ground work or put in the blood, sweat, tears and hours that many can do for very important, necessary, needy causes. But if we can help in small ways IT ALL COUNTS. Anything Nicole or Keith does to help someone in need ***NO matter how small or large*** it needs to be appreciated. I am pretty sure they don't do anything for a "pat on the back" or recognition. From what I've seen they both pick causes that are near and dear and close to their hearts. We don't see what they do behind the scenes. We don't know and we shouldn't know of the NON-reported help they've given to many. Nobody needs to keep score. I applaud any one of us that helps anyone in any possible way.

hoosierlady said...

New Bloggers are so cute and smell so good.

They lend their names to whatever will benefit them in the short run.

Have they mentioned the ravished families in Australia since the cash donations? How many times have you seen Keith in Louisianna, or does he just sing 'Raise the Barn'? He did the Africa Fund Raiser in Nashville, but has he done anything else? Methinks not. And as far as UNIFEM, I am a card carrying member, and she only does press releases, (that's what this latest is, not a speach, but a written press release), and spasmotic Eastern Block visits, (which are never dangerous since they are NATO alliance nations) when her press is down or negative, ask anyone who is paying attention. She delivered meals on wheels ONCE, marched for Babies ONCE, the list goes on and on. Yes, I'm sure that Mother Theresa and Ghandi are both quaking in their boots about the competition these two are to them, but I for one, would love to see either of them pick ONE charity and really use their clout and considerable fortunes to CHANGE THE LIVES of people and AFFECT a difference in the world.

maclen said...

Excellent points on kidman "charitable efforts" hoosier...She IS a "drive by" philonthropist...what ever charity that happens to be in her near vincinity she'll jump on that band wagon. Recently she "marched for children" in nashville while she hangs out in the wake of her collapsed career...she visits the UN in NYC and appears at the press conference while she's shilling her film in between the letterman show and the view...she treats the kids at the aussie hospital to her "annual christmas" film release, but if the film comes out in Nov...not film trip, like last year...and in 3 years now as a UN ambassador she has visited only one country on behalf of them. Kidman's charity work is about as meaningful as her movie career...in that it is now non existent.

Choice said...

Spot on Hoosierlady!
The best thing Nicole could do right now is to work at a women's shelter for 6 months and truly the experience what victims of domestic violence have been through. Nicole will never shake her Ice Queen status unless she is prepared to really go out on a limb (without cameras present to capture her every botoxed move). Aren't we all sick of Nicole's lip service?