Nicole Kidman Trades Crystal Aquazzura Sandals for Menswear Loafers Amid ‘Being the Ricardos’ Casting Drama

Nicole Kidman stepped into one of television’s most closely watched roles when she portrayed Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos, Aaron Sorkin’s behind-the-scenes drama about the marriage and working relationship between I Love Lucy stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

A new poster for Being the Ricardos shows an up-close look at Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz (Credit: Amazon)

Ahead of the film’s November 2021 release, Kidman attended a New York City Q&A screening in a relaxed menswear-inspired outfit built around straight-leg jeans and polished cognac loafers — a noticeably understated contrast to the crystal-covered Aquazzura sandals and sequined couture she wore days earlier at the InStyle Awards in Los Angeles.

The two appearances together offered a clear snapshot of Nicole Kidman’s red-carpet style range, moving easily between practical tailoring and high-glamour evening shoes.

“I had massive trepidation about a month prior, and Aaron had to get on the phone and send me emails saying, ‘You’ve got this.’ He had to sort of champion me through. And this whole cast, actually, we were really, really championing each other through the whole show because it was frightening, but incredibly exciting.”

Nicole Kidman had massive trepidation a month before filming Being the Ricardos (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Early reactions to the film focused heavily on Kidman’s interpretation of Lucille Ball, particularly the challenge of portraying such a recognizable television figure without turning the performance into a direct impersonation.

Nicole Kidman Trades Red-Carpet Heels for Menswear Loafers at the Being the Ricardos Q&A

At the New York screening Q&A on November 17, 2021, Nicole leaned into relaxed tailoring with a brown tweed blazer, a soft beige top, and straight-leg denim jeans, grounding the look with polished leather loafers instead of heels.

Nicole Kidman wears a grandpa-style outfit with a brown blazer, straight-leg jeans, and cognac brown loafers at the post-screening Q&A of Being the Ricardos in New York City on November 17, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)

The cognac leather loafers gave the outfit a slightly vintage feel that worked naturally with the tweed blazer and relaxed denim. Rather than competing with the tailoring, the flat shoes kept the focus on proportion and texture — a styling approach Nicole Kidman has returned to repeatedly in off-duty and press-event dressing.

For her beauty look, the Moulin Rouge star wore her natural red tresses down over her shoulders and sported a natural makeup look with red lipstick and a hint of eyeliner.

Nicole Kidman wears a natural makeup look and lets her natural red hair fall freely over her shoulders (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Nicole Kidman’s Lucille Ball Casting Sparked Debate Before the Film’s Release

While critics were impressed by Nicole Kidman’s performance, fans of the late comedy icon were upset that the actress was chosen for the role instead of Debra Messing.

Fans want Debra Messing to portray Lucille Ball in the biopic Being the Ricardos (Credit: Avalon / WENN)

“Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball makes ZERO SENSE in a world where Debra Messing exists,” one wrote on Twitter.

Another said, “Debra Messing has an uncanny resemblance and comedic chops, but they really cast Nicole Kidman because she’s more of a name. Lucille deserves better, honestly.”

“Debra Messing as Lucille Ball could’ve been a SELLER….”

“Debra Messing was robbed of that role. She should truly play Lucille Ball. Miss me with Kidman,” stated another.

Director Aaron Sorkin defends casting Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball in the upcoming biopic (Credit: Mega / WENN)

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Aaron Sorkin, the movie’s director and writer, defended his decision to cast Nicole Kidman as Lucille.

“We made this movie during COVID, and so in Zooming with Nicole and Javier and everyone else, I’d make it very clear to them that I am not looking for a physical or vocal impersonation of these people,” he explained.

One of America’s top comedic actresses in the 1950s, Lucille Désirée Ball was nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy Awards and won five times (Credit: WENN)

“Leading up to the first rehearsal, I’d write to them every day, ‘Just play the characters who are in the script.’ I know that Nicole was working on Lucy’s voice for a while, and I wanted to relieve her of that,” Aaron Sorkin added.

Responding to Lucille Ball fans who wanted to have Debra Messing play the comedy actress, Aaron said, “As far as audience anticipation, that’s something I’m just not worried about. I’m certain that when people see the movie, they’ll leave feeling that Nicole has made a very solid case for herself, but moreover, I’ve found that you can really leverage low expectations.”

Nicole Kidman Shines in Aquazzura “Tequila” Sandals and Vintage Armani Privè Sequins at the InStyle Awards

The Days of Thunder star joined Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford, as well as Lucy Hale and Elle Fanning, at the InStyle Awards 2021 red carpet in Los Angeles.

Nicole Kidman shimmers in a vintage-inspired purple Armani Privè sequined dress and crystal-embellished Aquazzura “Tequila” sandals at the 2021 InStyle Awards at the Getty Center in Los Angeles on November 15, 2021 (Credit: Mega / WENN)

With the help of her stylist, Julia von Boehm, the Australian actress dazzled in a holiday-ready sparkly dress from Armani Privè’s Spring 2009 Couture collection.

The vintage Armani Privè design shimmered under the lights with densely packed purple sequins, a sculpted body-skimming silhouette, curved shoulder straps, and a softly flared hem finished with intricate beadwork. Nicole tempered the high-glamour look by casually carrying a black blazer over one arm — a practical styling touch that kept the couture ensemble from feeling overly formal.

Nicole Kidman sparkles in a purple sequined Armani Privè Spring 2009 Couture dress paired with crystal-embellished Aquazzura “Tequila” sandals at the 2021 InStyle Awards, balancing vintage couture glamour with barely-there evening heels (Credit: Mega / WENN)

For the InStyle Awards appearance, Nicole shifted completely into eveningwear territory, pairing the sequined Armani Privè dress with delicate Harry Winston diamond jewelry and crystal-covered Aquazzura sandals.

Her tresses were perfectly coiffed by hairstylist Kylee Heath, with several wavy strands framing her gorgeously made-up face.

Highlighting her eyes, makeup artist Kate Synnott gave her a smoky smudge look with glowy sun-kissed cheeks and a swipe of neutral lipstick.

Nicole Kidman wears her red tresses up into a chic bun with loose tendrils framing her gorgeously made-up face (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Nicole finished the Armani Privè look with a pair of Aquazzura “Tequila” sandals, one of the brand’s most recognizable evening-shoe designs.

The barely-there silhouette is covered in round-cut crystals that wrap around the foot like jewelry, while the thin stiletto heel and delicate straps kept the focus on the shimmer and movement of the sequined dress rather than overpowering it.

A close-up of Nicole Kidman’s feet in Aquazzura “Tequila” sandals featuring crystal-embellished barely-there straps, delicate ankle bands, and slender stiletto heels that echo the shimmer of her purple Armani Privè sequined dress (Credit: Mega / WENN)

Nicole Kidman’s Red-Carpet Shoe Style: From Loafers to Crystal Sandals

Nicole Kidman’s Being the Ricardos press looks showed both sides of her fashion range: relaxed menswear tailoring with polished loafers in New York, and full red-carpet sparkle in Armani Privè and Aquazzura sandals in Los Angeles.

For more of her standout footwear moments, explore how she has styled everything from delicate T-strap pumps to sculptural designer sandals.