Keith Urban Lyric Change Sparks Buzz Amid Split
In the wake of his separation from Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban has drawn fresh attention for a surprising onstage moment. During a recent performance, the 57-year-old country star altered the lyrics of his hit “The Fighter”—a song originally inspired by his relationship with Kidman—while performing with rising artist Maggie Baugh.
From “Baby” to “Maggie”
In the clip, shared on Instagram by Baugh herself, Urban changed the lyric “When they’re tryna get to you, baby I’ll be the fighter” to “When they’re tryna get to you, Maggie I’ll be your guitar player.”
The 25-year-old musician, who tours with Urban, seemed stunned by the change, adding two emojis—“🫣 🤯”—and captioning the video with, “Did he just say that👀.”
The video was posted on Sept. 26, just days before news of Urban and Kidman’s split became public.
Divorce Confirmation
On Sept. 29, PEOPLE confirmed that Kidman and Urban had separated after 19 years of marriage. Court filings obtained the next day revealed that Kidman, 58, officially filed for divorce in Nashville, citing irreconcilable differences. Their date of separation was listed as the date of filing.
The couple, who wed in June 2006, share two daughters—Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14. Kidman is also mother to Bella, 32, and Connor, 30, from her previous marriage to Tom Cruise.
A Song Rooted in Their Love Story
Released in 2017 on Urban’s ninth studio album Ripcord, “The Fighter” was written about the early stages of his romance with Kidman.
“It’s all from a conversation my wife and I had early on,” Urban told Billboard at the time. “When things get tough, I need to hold her tighter and try to take care of her. The song is really like a vow.”
He described Kidman as “female and tender,” adding that his role as her husband was to shield her from the harshness of the world.
Tour Life and Lingering Questions
Urban and Baugh have been touring together on his High and Alive World Tour, with dates scheduled through mid-October and additional concerts planned in the Bahamas and U.K. in 2026.
A source close to Urban told PEOPLE he has “just been going through some stuff” in recent months, while a source close to Kidman added, “This was not a case of them simply drifting apart. Keith has been making questionable choices for some time now.”
A Public and Personal Turning Point
For years, “The Fighter” symbolized Urban’s devotion to Kidman, born from a private vow and carried to the stage. Now, the lyric change, coupled with their separation, underscores just how much has shifted in their lives.
As fans continue to process the news, both Urban and Kidman remain in the spotlight—navigating personal upheaval while balancing family, career, and the public gaze.
