WHO: Does your husband Keith Urban like the show?
Nicole: He clears his schedule and sits with me and watches it all. He did the same last season. He gives his feedback. When I ask, ‘Do you think it’s good,’ he says, ‘It’s fantastic, I’m hooked!’
WHO: Filming in Monterey, California, does it make you miss the beach?
Nicole: I am an ocean girl and I grew up obviously in Australia, so if I can get in the ocean or see it, I’m happy. I sleep better near the ocean but my husband is a country music singer and we live in Nashville. We go for walks and enjoy nature. We see deer pretty much whenever we are on a walk, which is so beautiful.
WHO: What kind of life do you lead in Nashville?
Nicole: We have a farm in Australia with more land, but our place in Nashville is in the city, so we are closer to the schools. The thing I love about Tennessee is that in 15 minutes you can be hiking in the forest.
WHO: Can you relate to Celeste’s strength?
Nicole: I have discovered my own emotional strength over the course of my life. When I was a kid, I actually didn’t think it was there. And I would be easily broken. There have been times in my life when I have gone, ‘I actually don’t think I am going to get through this’, and then it’s almost surprising when I do. I have been down on my knees and I have prayed for strength and it’s come.
WHO: What’s your relationship like with Meryl?
Nicole: Meryl signed on without reading a script. It was an extraordinary gesture of belief and support of women in this industry. That being said, we were terrified because we were like ‘Oh my gosh, we have got to give her a great role!’ But Meryl doesn’t like to be put on a pedestal. I love her and love what she stands for and what she has done for us and the series.
You can read the rest of the article in this week's WHO magazine.