Kidman Gets A Triumphant Homecoming Welcome

Australian superstar Nicole Kidman was given a rapturous reception by fans in her adopted home town Sydney yesterday (17DEC03) as she arrived for the country's premiere of Cold Mountain.

The OSCAR-winning actress, 36, has not been home since January this year (03) thanks to her busy work schedule and promotional commitments.

And Kidman - clearly overcome with emotion after being greeted by thousands of fans outside the city's STATE THEATRE - told reporters, "I am relieved, relieved to have made it."

But the coy The Hours beauty was unwilling to speculate on her chances of a second ACADEMY AWARD win for the civil war epic.

She says, "I don't buy into any of that until it happens."