Keith Urban is moving swiftly to seal off his private life following the finalization of his divorce from Nicole Kidman, according to people familiar with the matter, adopting unusually strict measures to keep new relationships out of public view after the end of one of Hollywood's longest-running celebrity marriages.
The couple's divorce was finalized on Jan. 6, 2026, in a Nashville court, formally closing a 19-year marriage that had long been regarded as one of the entertainment industry's most stable unions. Within days, reports emerged describing a markedly different posture from Urban, 58, whose post-divorce dating life is now governed by confidentiality agreements and an aversion to public appearances.
Sources close to the singer say the shift reflects a desire to avoid further scrutiny after months of speculation surrounding the breakup. "Keith has always been private, but now that he's going through this divorce, he's extra secretive," one source said. "He wants to sow his wild oats and enjoy himself, but the last thing he needs is for that to get out."
According to those familiar with his approach, Urban now requires potential romantic partners to sign nondisclosure agreements before spending time with him. He is also said to avoid meeting in public spaces altogether. "He won't meet anyone out in public - they have to be willing to come over," the source said, describing rules viewed as non-negotiable.
The heightened secrecy follows a contentious period after Kidman filed for divorce on Sept. 3030, 2025, citing "irreconcilable differences." People close to Urban say he believes public narratives about the split have been unfavorable. "He admits that having these rules for his love life makes things more complicated, but for now at least, that's the only way this will work for him because he just can't handle the judgment he's been getting," the source said.
The divorce settlement underscores the shift from a shared public life to carefully managed separation. Kidman was named primary residential parent to their two daughters, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 15, who will spend 306 days a year with her. Urban was granted 59 days of custody annually and will not pay monthly child support, having prepaid his financial obligations in a lump sum, according to people familiar with the agreement.
Urban's caution has been fueled in part by persistent rumors linking him to younger musicians in his orbit. In September 2025, speculation swirled around his guitarist Maggie Baugh after a lyric change during a Chicago performance of The Fighter on Sept. 26, when Urban substituted the word "baby" with "Maggie" while looking at her onstage. Those rumors were later dismissed by mutual friend Alexandra Kay, who said Baugh was "happily in a relationship" and not involved in the marriage breakdown.
More recently, Urban has been linked to singer-songwriter Karley Scott Collins, 26, who supported him on tour and released her debut album Flight Risk the same day the divorce became public. Friends of both musicians have described the connection as professional rather than romantic.
People close to Urban say his primary motivation is shielding his children from further attention. Despite that effort, the singer remains convinced that "if the public knew the full story" behind the divorce, perceptions would change, according to one source. For now, he appears intent on ensuring that any new chapter unfolds behind closed doors, governed by legal agreements rather than red-carpet appearances.
