Nicole Kidman admits to changing her clapping style after comparisons to a seal over viral Oscars moment

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Nicole Kidman has admitted to changing the way she claps after after being ridiculed for her unusual applauding gesture at the 2017 Oscars.

The 57-year-old actress went viral at the 89th Academy Awards for clapping in a way that many compared to a seal's flippers.

Nicole Kidman addresses viral Oscars clap after online ridicule

According to DailyMail.com, the incident quickly sparked a flurry of online reactions, with people commenting on the awkwardness of her clapping style.

"Anyone see Nicole Kidman clapping? She claps like a seal," one person wrote on social media, which led to widespread mockery.

Seven years later, Kidman has opened up about the viral moment during a video shoot for Vanity Fair's 2025 Hollywood Issue. Reflecting on the ridicule she faced, Kidman said, "I know what I do when I clap, and I've been ridiculed for that."

She then mimicked her signature clap, which involved clapping with her fingers together, making it look more like the flapping of a seal's flippers. 'Skins' actor Dev Patel, who was also featured in the video, laughed and responded, "I've seen that," acknowledging the viral moment.

"I now try to clap like this," Kidman confessed, demonstrating a more delicate and controlled clap, where only the tips of her fingers make contact with her palm. The actress explained that she became more mindful of her clapping after the viral incident and now tries to avoid repeating the awkward gesture.

Nicole Kidman says wardrobe issue behind awkward Oscars clap

Kidman later explained the reason behind her clapping style, which had been the subject of online mockery. During an appearance on the 'Kyle & Jackie O' radio show, she shared that the strange clapping was a result of a wardrobe issue.

"It was really awkward! I was like, 'Gosh, I want to clap. I don't want to not be clapping. It was really difficult because I had a huge ring on that was not my own, but it was absolutely gorgeous, and I was terrified of damaging it!"

The actress was wearing a large ring at the time, which she feared would be damaged if she clapped normally, leading to the awkward applause that caught everyone's attention.

Nicole Kidman shines on Oscars red carpet despite viral clap moment

Nicole Kidman attended the 2017 Oscars with her country musician husband Keith Urban. She was dressed in a stunning array of diamonds, including bracelets and drop earrings, and wore bold red lipstick with a flawless porcelain complexion. Despite the clapping incident, Kidman remained a standout figure on the red carpet.

In the same Vanity Fair interview, Kidman also discussed her work with female directors and her commitment to supporting women in Hollywood. Reflecting on her recent projects, 'Perfect Couple' and 'Babygirl', both of which were directed by women, she spoke about the importance of working with and empowering female filmmakers.

"I've worked with some of the greatest, and I feel intimacy with most directors that I work with," Kidman said. "I move in very quickly. I'm very open, which is why I just have to be careful how I choose."

She added, "Ninety-nine percent of the time, it's really the best way to approach anything."

Kidman emphasized her dedication to supporting women in the industry, saying, "I'm trying to support all of these women at all different ages, at all different stages in their careers, put my weight behind them and go, 'I'm here and I'm at your disposal and I'm ready.'"