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From one-half of Hollywood's reigning duo, to a single, working mother, all within the space of two days. Add a miscarriage, and you have the current situation of actress Nicole Kidman. Her fairy tale marriage to Tom Cruise seemed like it would last forever, then on February 5, 2001, he announced they were breaking up and two days later filed for divorce. Then it was confirmed that in the time immediately following the break up, she suffered a miscarriage. It might be too much for one person to take, but for the 33 year old Kidman, support and shelter were found among a close knit circle of friends in her native Australia.

While Cruise and Kidman refuse to discuss details of what has transpired between them since he filed for divorce, friends say that it is Cruise that wants their ten year marriage ended. Those close to Kidman say that she doesn't understand what happened, and neither do millions of their fans, as well as the Hollywood press. Some speculate that the timing is due to the California community property laws, which change the property division after a couple has been married for ten years. Whatever the reason though, Nicole Kidman isn't one to sit around and feel sorry for her situation.

Now, less than three months after the shockwaves hit Hollywood, she is back out there, making a life for herself without Cruise. Her new film, "Moulin Rouge" opens at the Cannes Film Festival on May 9, and according to Fox studios, she's the embodiment of the old show biz phrase, "The show must go on." Toward that end, the actress is making the full round of publicity junkets, as well as completing the recording of several musical numbers for the show. She's also signed to portray Virginia Woolf in Meryl Streep's newest venture, "The Hours," which is currently filming in London.

Along with filming, she has also been making the rounds in Hollywood, attending such functions as a black tie reception for opera great Placido Domingo. She brought down the house when she strolled onto the stage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and introduced herself to the audience. It was clear from that moment, that public sentiment is on her side.

Still though, there are two nagging questions in the back of everyone's mind. Can Nicole Kidman make it on her own? Does she have the strength of character and the acting ability to be able to juggle family and career, in a dog-eat-dog world where competition is the name of the game? The jury is still out on the answers to those questions, but judging from how she's handled things so far, if she fails it won't be because of lack of trying.

Nicole Kidman is one determined lady. Determined to be a good mother to her two adopted children and to maintain her stature as one of Hollywood's leading actresses. If I were a betting woman, I'd place my bet on Nicole Kidman remaining at the top of the celebrity dogpile for a long time to come.