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Keith Urban performs at the 2020 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song concert at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., March 4, 2020. Photo by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress. .

Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Keith Urban

Keith Lionel Urbahn known professionally as Keith Urban, is a New Zealand born Australian musician, singer, guitarist and songwriter. He is well known for his work in country music. Urban is considered one of the leading exponents of his music genre. Urban has released 11 studio albums (one of which was released in Australia only), as well as one album with the Ranch.

He was born on 26th October 1967 in Whangarei, New Zealand. At two years of age, Urban moved with his parents to Caboolture, Queensland, Australia. Here are the Top 10 outstanding facts about Keith Urban.

1. He is married to Nicole Kidman

Keith Urban in a concert. Photo by Craig ONeal. .

Urban met Australian actress Nicole Kidman at G’Day LA, a Hollywood event promoting Australia, in January 2005, and they began dating six months later. They married on 25 June 2006 at the Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel in the grounds of St Patrick’s Estate, Manly, in Sydney. The two have two beautiful daughters together.

2. He was a voice couch in The Voice

On 23 November 2011, Urban was confirmed as one of the four vocal coaches in the Australian version of the reality singing competition The Voice, alongside Seal, Joel Madden and Delta Goodrem.

On 14 September 2012, Urban released a statement that he would not be signing back on for season two and was replaced by Ricky Martin. On 15 December 2020, it was announced that Urban would return to The Voice Australia season 10 for his second season replacing Kelly Rowland, alongside Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian and Rita Ora.

3. He has struggled with substance addiction

Urban has struggled with alcoholism and cocaine addiction in his past. While living in Nashville, Urban frequently used cocaine. In 1998, he checked into Cumberland Heights, a treatment center in Nashville. On 19 October 2006, Urban checked into the Betty Ford Center in California.

On 20 October, he issued a statement saying: “I deeply regret the hurt this has caused Nicole and the ones who love and support me. One can never let one’s guard down on recovery, and I’m afraid that I have.” On 18 January 2007, Urban announced his completion of rehabilitation journey.

4. He was one of the judges on American Idol

The Fox Broadcasting Company officially announced on 16 September 2012 that Urban would replace Steven Tyler as a judge in season 12 of American Idol alongside Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj. On 1 August 2013, it was officially confirmed that Urban would return as a judge for season 13.

He was joined by former judge Jennifer Lopez and newest judge Harry Connick Jr. On 23 June 2014, Fox announced that Urban would return to the judging panel for season 14. Urban returned to judge the 15th season of American Idol in 2016.

5. He developed an interested in music at an early age

Keith Urban on Walmart Soundcheck. Photo by Lunchbox LP. .

Expressing an early interest in music, he was at four given a ukulele, and at six he took up the guitar. From an early age Urban鈥檚 influences reflected the tastes of his parents, who enjoyed country music.

At about age eight Urban began entering and winning talent competitions, and as a teenager he played steady guitar gigs in pubs and clubs. He quit school at 15 to pursue his musical interests. In 1988 Urban formed a band that went on to tour throughout Australia.

6. Urban has received many accolades in the music industry

At the 48th GRAMMY Awards, Urban earned his first career GRAMMY for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for “You’ll Think Of Me.” Urban won the Best Male Country Vocal Performance category four times between 2005 and 2010.

Urban was the recipient of the Recording Artists’ Coalition Award at the 2017 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards in recognition of his support for music education. He has earned fifteen Academy of Country Music Awards, including the Jim Reeves International Award, thirteen CMA Awards and six ARIA Music Awards.

7. Urban has participated in charity events

Keith Urban in concert, performing the duck walk. Photo by Craig ONeal. .

As a strong supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Urban was recognized for his charity work with the 2016 Country Radio Seminar’s Artist Humanitarian Award.

He supports education and has endorsed the Music Makes Us program, which raises funds to buy musical instruments and other resources for public school music classes.

8. He has a net worth of around 75 million dollars

Keith Urban鈥檚 net worth is around $75 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He has 11 number-one singles and four Grammy Awards. The Tennessean reports that all nine of his solo albums have gone platinum, selling one million copies or more.

And on top of that, he pulled in a big paycheck as a judge on American Idol from 2012 through 2016. The Associated Press reported he made $6 million for one season of the show. Some of their vast wealth as a couple  has been spent on real estate. According to the Daily Mail, they have a $4.9 million home in Nashville, and a $4.7 million mansion in Beverly Hills.

9. After moving to the US, he was not allowed to take a non-music job

After arriving in the United States, Keith wasn鈥檛 legally allowed to take a non-music job. He found work as a road guitarist for different musical acts. Fans can spot a very young Urban featured in the music video for Alan Jackson鈥檚 1993 hit 鈥淢ercury Blues.鈥�

10. He draws his musical inspiration from day to day activities

Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban. Photo by David Torcivia. .

According to sources, Urban likes writing songs in the shower. When he needs an energy boost during writing, he likes to order fried pimento cheese sandwiches. Further, Urban uses ink pens to write his music as opposed to pencils or typing. Despite being in the industry for so long, Urban cannot read a music sheet to save his life! This is quite unexpected for sure.