This year has certainly been a turning point for country music star Keith Urban, who is 57. Major life changes have unfolded, both in his personal world and his professional career. The biggest news hit in September 2025: entertainment reports from Us Weekly confirmed that Urban and actress Nicole Kidman, 58, had separated. This ended their 19-year marriage. Shortly after, the Big Little Lies star filed for divorce.
A close source in Nashville shared details with Us Weekly. "They had been quietly separated for a while," the source explained. "But they needed time to decide if they would actually divorce. She truly believed they could work things out." The source added that both Urban and Kidman had been spending "a lot of time apart." Their work commitments often kept them away from each other, leading them to live "separate lives."
Beyond the news of his marriage ending, Urban has been making other adjustments. He seems to be embracing a fresh start. This includes new ventures on screen, changes within his band, and even how he approaches his hit songs.
Keith Urban Enters the Reality TV World
Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, and Blake Shelton Connie Chornuk/CBS via Getty Images
2025 marks the year Urban will dive into reality television. He is part of a new CBS music competition series called The Road. The show, set to premiere on October 19, 2025, will follow 12 rising musicians. They will compete for the chance to open for Urban at concert venues across the United States.
The show’s official summary shares how it will work. "This series will capture the real, unfiltered musical journeys of these talented artists," it says. "They are singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists. Viewers get a backstage look at the tough life of a musician on tour. It offers exclusive access to the music industry. You will see what happens when these hot new musicians travel on a tour bus. They face a demanding schedule as they chase their dreams."
A Shake-Up in the Band
Urban also started 2025 with changes to his touring band. He parted ways with two longtime members. Jerry Flowers, who was the bandleader and bassist, shared the news on Instagram on January 10, 2025. He had been with Urban on stage for 25 years.
Flowers wrote, "With a heavy but very full heart… Keith has decided to make a change in the lineup. I will no longer be in the band." He added, "I have and always will have the utmost respect and love for Keith. I cherish the incredible years we shared." Band member Nathan Barlowe also confirmed his exit. He shared his feelings on Instagram, as reported by Taste of Country. "I have no words to express how grateful I am for these past 9 years," Barlowe wrote. "I have enjoyed every second and given it my all. Thank you, Keith, for believing in me."
The Evolving Lyrics of “The Fighter”
Keith Urban Astrida Valigorsky/WireImage
Even before his separation from Kidman became public, Urban had changed the words of a song. His hit collaboration "The Fighter" with Carrie Underwood was originally inspired by his wife. The usual lyric was, "When they’re tryna get to you, baby, I’ll be the fighter."
However, a recent concert clip showed Urban singing a new version. He dedicated a line to his guitarist and rising country star, Maggie Baugh. "When they’re tryna get to you, Maggie, I’ll be your guitar player," he sang. Urban once told Billboard in March 2017 that "The Fighter" came from an early conversation with Kidman. "When things get tough, I need to hold her tighter and just try and take care of her," he recalled. "The song is about wanting to heal somebody, wanting to take care of somebody, wanting to protect somebody. It’s like a vow in many ways."
A New Vibe for the Tour
Keith Urban Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Urban’s High and Alive tour kicked off in May 2025. This came almost eight months after his eleventh studio album, High, was released. He explained to Yahoo why this set of concerts felt different. "I’ve got a lot of new band members," Urban shared. "It’s a new stage, it’s a new production. So there’s more new stuff than not."
He added, "I feel a sense of freshness and a renewed energy to go out and play. I want to see what works, what doesn’t, what we have to move and mold. I just want to be in the moment with the audience. It always feels completely new to me." It’s also notable that at his first concert after Kidman filed for divorce, Urban chose not to include "The Fighter" in his song list.
A Visual Sign of Change
A small but significant detail caught attention on October 2, 2025. This was the first time Urban was seen publicly since Kidman filed for divorce. He was at a Pennsylvania airport before his concert at the Giant Center. Photographs showed him without his wedding ring. It was a clear sign that a new chapter had truly begun.