Music

Nicole Kidman lights up neon with Troye Sivan, smokes a cigarette

By GoNews Pulse Editorial Team••Updated Oct 13, 2026
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Nicole Kidman lights up neon with Troye Sivan, smokes a cigarette

**Nicole Kidman Lights Up Troye Sivan’s New Video “She’s the Best,” Blending High‑Fashion Stardom With Drag Culture**

In a surprise collaboration that captured the imagination of pop fans, Nicole Kidman joins Troye Sivan in his latest music video, *“She’s the Best.”* The 59‑year‑old actress glides through a neon‑lit alley in an all‑black ensemble—skintight dress, oversized coat, leather gloves and dark sunglasses—before trading places with Sivan on the dance floor of a club teeming with drag performers.

Kidman’s look is unapologetically sharp, a visual echo of the song’s celebration of the divine feminine.

Sivan’s lyrics focus on an indelible muse: “that girl who’s the best,” a woman he describes by her makeup and style. The video extends that praise by bringing in Sasha Colby, winner of *RuPaul’s Drag Race* Season 15, and a rotating cast of drag icons whose flamboyance matches Kidman’s poise.

The juxtaposition of an Oscar‑winning actress and drag royalty feels almost cinematic—a nod to the theatricality of both worlds.

### A Shared History in Film and Friendship

The partnership is rooted in their previous on‑screen work. In 2018, *Boy Erased*—adapted from Gerrard Conley’s memoir—featured Kidman as a mother grappling with her closeted son, while Sivan played the son who would later be caught between faith and self‑acceptance.

Their roles required a raw emotional connection that spilled over into real life. “There was an instant chemistry,” Sivan recalled years later, and the two have remained close friends ever since.

The film itself became a cultural touchstone for LGBTQ+ representation in cinema, earning praise for its nuanced portrayal of a family in crisis.

### The Song’s Context Within the Upcoming Album

*“She’s the Best”* is the lead single from Sivan’s forthcoming album of the same name, scheduled for release on October 9. The track blends his signature melodic pop with an infectious dance beat, while Kidman’s cameo adds a layer of cross‑genre allure.

In an interview where he spoke about the song, Sivan called Kidman “a picture of the divine feminine” and explained how the idea for the video had been brewing for months. He recounted sending her the track and setting up a Zoom call from an unknown number; she answered, and in that instant, the concept crystallized.

Their collaboration is therefore not merely a visual gimmick but a culmination of years of artistic synergy.

### Fan Reactions: From Surprise to Adoration

The video has sparked a wave of enthusiastic commentary.

One YouTube comment read: “Nicole Kidman in a Troye Sivan video was not on my bingo card but I really love it.” Another, posted on Instagram, captured the sentiment of many fans: “And when the world needed him more than ever, he grabbed Nicole Kidman and said, ‘let’s show em.’” Fans also praised the representation of drag culture.

“It’s a diva worship national anthem,” wrote one listener, while another highlighted how Sivan captured femininity “in an intimate, beautiful, and genuine light in so many different ways.” These reactions underline how the unexpected pairing resonated with viewers who appreciate bold crossovers.

### Industry Impact: Pop Meets Drag in a New Era

The video’s release has had ripple effects beyond fan enthusiasm. By featuring drag performers prominently alongside a Hollywood icon, Sivan and Kidman have pushed mainstream pop culture to embrace LGBTQ+ artistry more fully.

The clip has already been shared over 5 million times on TikTok, with creators remixing both the audio and visuals to celebrate empowerment. Streaming numbers for the track have surged: Spotify added it to its “New Releases” playlist, and the song is climbing the Pop Songs chart.

For Kidman, the cameo signals a continued willingness to engage with contemporary cultural movements, echoing her previous work in *The Undoing* and *Mortal*. For Sivan, it affirms his role as a bridge between pop and queer communities.

### The Visuals: A Fusion of Fashion and Performance

The video’s aesthetic is meticulously curated. Kidman’s black coat drapes over a sleek cityscape, the neon glow reflecting in her sunglasses—an homage to 1980s synth‑pop imagery while staying fresh for today’s audience.

Her cigarette—though a prop, not an endorsement—adds an element of rebellious chic, mirroring Sivan’s own flirtation with risk. In the club scene, drag performers perform daring choreography that accentuates the song’s bassline; Sasha Colby leads a glittering group routine that showcases both skill and style.

The seamless blending of Kidman’s high‑fashion silhouette with the flamboyant drag costumes creates a visual narrative of unity across different forms of expression.

### What Comes Next?

While no further announcements have been made about additional collaborations or live performances, the video has undoubtedly set the stage for more inclusive projects. Sivan’s next tour dates will feature an expanded stage production that incorporates dance and theatrics reminiscent of the video’s energy.

Fans speculate that Kidman might appear in a future performance, given her history of surprising audiences with unexpected cameos.

*“She’s the Best”* is more than a single; it is a statement about representation, friendship, and the evolving landscape of pop music.

By bringing together an iconic actress, a rising pop star, and celebrated drag performers, the project underscores how boundaries in art can dissolve to create something both powerful and universally appealing.

Why It Matters

The collaboration between Nicole Kidman and Troye Sivan is significant because it fuses two distinct cultural spheres—Hollywood and drag artistry—into a single mainstream product. By featuring an Oscar‑winning actress alongside drag royalty, the video signals that LGBTQ+ representation is no longer a niche niche but an integral part of pop culture narratives. Industry-wise, the partnership demonstrates how cross‑genre marketing can drive streaming numbers, TikTok shares, and playlist placements, as evidenced by the 5 million TikTok views and Spotify’s ‘New Releases’ inclusion. For fans, the juxtaposition offers a visual and sonic experience that celebrates femininity in a manner that feels both inclusive and aspirational. the collaboration extends beyond mere spectacle; it highlights longstanding personal chemistry forged on the set of *Boy Erased*, lending authenticity to the performance. As streaming platforms continue to reward diverse content, such partnerships will likely become more common, encouraging artists to explore unconventional collaborations that resonate across demographics and strengthen community bonds within the music industry.

Our Take

Kidman’s cameo is more than a clever PR move—it’s a statement that mainstream pop can celebrate queer culture without compromising its artistic integrity. By stepping into a neon‑lit club with drag icons, she signals that Hollywood stars are willing to embrace and elevate marginalized voices. This bold move challenges the status quo and opens doors for future projects that merge high fashion with queer performance art. The success of the video underscores how authenticity, rather than tokenism, drives fan engagement. For industry professionals, this collaboration offers a blueprint: invest in genuine artistic partnerships that honor diverse narratives. Ultimately, the project reaffirms that pop music’s evolution hinges on inclusivity, and when iconic figures like Kidman champion that vision, the result is a richer, more vibrant cultural landscape.

GoNews Pulse Editorial Team

This article was prepared for publication by GoNews Pulse and checked for publication requirements under our editorial standards. We review available information and correct material errors when they are identified.

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Related topics

  • #Nicole Kidman
  • #Troye Sivan
  • #RuPaul's Drag Race

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