Keith Urban changes Nicole Kidman-inspired lyric to name guitarist Maggie Baugh during concert
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: A recent performance by Keith Urban is drawing attention amid his highly publicized split from Nicole Kidman, after the country singer appeared to change the lyrics of one of his most personal songs during a live show.
Urban, 57, who recently separated from Kidman after 19 years of marriage, surprised fans when he altered a line in his hit duet 'The Fighter,' originally written about his early romance with Kidman.
The change, caught on video by bandmate Maggie Baugh, quickly sparked speculation online about his state of mind following the divorce news.
Keith Urban switches lyrics during live performance
During the show, Urban sang, “When they’re tryna get to you, Maggie I’ll be your guitar player,” instead of the original lyric, “When they're tryna get to you, baby I'll be the fighter.”
The playful swap was directed at his utility player and rising country star Maggie Baugh, 25, who was performing alongside him. Baugh shared the clip on Instagram with two shocked emojis “🫣 🤯” and captioned it, “Did he just say that👀.”
The video was posted on September 26, just days before news of Urban and Kidman’s separation became public.
Keith Urban sparks backlash for lyric change after Nicole Kidman split
Social media erupted with criticism after Keith Urban altered the lyrics to include the name of 25-year-old Maggie Baugh during a recent performance.
One user wrote on Instagram, "Wow, that song was made for Nicole. For him to do that that tells us what he’s really all about. That’s just disgusting. Nicole deserves much better. This is the second time he’s cheated on her maybe third."
"Why in the world would you post this? Have some class. Or maybe you don't mind having none. And Keith? lost all respect. Sure couples separate but to make this that public. Shame on both of them," another wrote.
Users also criticized Urban, saying, "What a guy he took a song he wrote for his wife and put a different woman's name in it now there's class 🤣🤣🤣🤣" and "Wow! This is gross. Nicole is the mother of your children. If not respect for their mother at least show respect to the girls! Way to show your girls how not to be treated dad! Break ups happen but do it with grace, dignity, and respect my goodness."
"This time, I hope @nicolekidman stands by her divorce and separation decision and moves on. This utter disrespect is just rancid, tasteless and embarrassing behaviour from @keithurban 🤮 Nic deserves so so much better than this. She was in it for the long haul but he'll, their kids have to see crap like this & he is just embarrassing himself & his family with a 25 year old 🙄 Such a low blow & at a sad, raw time," another user wrote.
Nicole Kidman cites irreconcilable differences in divorce from Keith Urban
Court documents obtained by PEOPLE revealed that Nicole Kidman filed for divorce in Nashville on September 30, citing irreconcilable differences. The filing listed their date of separation as the same day.
The couple had been based in Nashville since 2007 and were considered one of Hollywood’s most enduring pairs, having tied the knot in June 2006. They share two daughters together — Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14. Kidman is also mother to Bella, 32, and Connor, 30, with ex-husband Tom Cruise.
'The Fighter,' released on Keith Urban’s ninth studio album Ripcord, was inspired by his relationship with Kidman. Speaking to Billboard in 2017, Urban explained, “It’s all from a conversation my wife and I had early on in our relationship, that when things get tough, I need to hold her tighter and just try to take care of her.”
He described the track as “a vow in so many ways,” adding that his role as a husband was to protect Kidman so her tenderness wouldn’t have to “get hardened to the world."
Keith Urban continues tour with Maggie Baugh amid Nicole Kidman divorce
Keith Urban and Maggie Baugh toured together over the summer as part of his High and Alive World Tour and are set to continue with scheduled shows through mid-October, including upcoming concerts in the Bahamas and the UK in March 2026.
A source close to the singer told PEOPLE that Urban has “just been going through some stuff” recently, while a source from Nicole Kidman’s circle added, “He has been making questionable choices for some time now and this was not the case of them just drifting apart.”
The performance video, combined with the couple’s divorce announcement, has only fueled speculation about Urban’s state of mind as he prepares to move forward, both on stage and in life.
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