I think Nicole Kidman is THE most gifted and daring actress of her generation. She's also an articulate woman who can promote her projects with intelligence and insight (I"m not talking about "Bewitched" OK?). And best of all, she's a real star who shines brightest on the red carpet at any event she attends.

The Nov. 21 issue of The Advocate spotlights Nicole as a star with a "Big Gay Following." Here are some highlights from her chat with writer John Griffiths:

Asked if she's ever felt repressed, Nicole says: "Of course. I've felt that I've tried to be things that I couldn't be. I've tried to believe things that I couldn't believe...it's probably why I really have [affinity with] a gay man or a gay woman."

If one of her kids were gay: "I'd give them a huge hug and say, 'What do you want from me? How can I help you?What do you need?' I recently lost probably my dearest, closest friend, Robert [McCann, her make-up artist who died unexpectedly last year]. Robert would always say to me, 'This is what you do: You just open your arms and say, 'Here I am, and I love you.' Because you need that unconditional support and love. Because you need that unconditional support and love. Because you're not going to get anywhere else in the world."

On why some people want to believe that straight actors are gay> "(Laughs) I don't know. I suppose, you know, it's nice to fantasize!...Fantasies can exist in your head, and they can be what you want them to be. They're yours and nobody else's."

On gay men ogling her handsome husband, singer Keith Urban: "I'm all for people thinking he's the cutest thing (laughs).