Troubled actress NICOLE KIDMAN has described her year as "rocky" since her break-up with actor TOM CRUISE.

Attending the private New York screening of her new movie MOULIN ROUGE (2001) on the arm of the film's director BAZ LUHRMANN last night (18APR01), Kidman admitted her joy at the fact she could escape the glare of Hollywood after her split with Cruise earlier this year (FEB01).

She says, "I've got a job to do and I have to be here. I'm really excited about this film and that's what makes it easier. I can talk about the film instead of all my personal stuff."

Australian Kidman adds, "My mom, my dad and my sister have been great. It's so good to have a country that I can go back to, but I would describe the year so far as rocky." (RGS/WNV/KW)

Source: WENN