Nicole Kidman was photographed in Portofino in conversation with a man almost no one, until now, knew by name. And that was enough for the rumour machine to switch into full gear. Champagne-silk clothing, an animated conversation outside the hotel entrance, and here's the news: the actress is “maybe in love again”.

The man's name is Michael Reinstein. He is neither an actor nor a singer, but a lawyer and the founder of Regent - a global private-equity fund that holds brands like Bally, Escada and Petit Bateau, and even the magazine Sunset. In other words, a man from the world of money, not the world of the spotlight. That in itself suggests the story might be different from the usual Hollywood script.

Because the context matters. Kidman is seven months on from her split with country musician Keith Urban, after nineteen years of marriage. The divorce was formalised in January 2026. Throughout that whole process she repeated one and the same thing - that her priority is her two daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, and stability in their lives.

This is not the first time this year her name has been linked to someone. Earlier she was paired with Simon Baker while they promoted a series together, but the two have been friends for decades - he is godfather to one of her children. The “chemistry” the journalists saw was simply a long friendship. The rumours never came true.

Keith Urban, for his part, had his own speculation - about an alleged relationship with a young country singer, which she publicly dismissed as “absolutely ridiculous and false”. The two still share custody of their daughters and stay in touch on special occasions.

So what does all this tell us? That one photograph in Portofino is enough to write a love story. Kidman once said: “I'll always move toward what is good.” Maybe that is exactly what she's doing - or maybe she's just talking to a business partner on holiday. The difference, of course, interests no one once the news is already printed.