A-list celebrity sightings in the Okanagan are stuff of urban legend.
For years, it was rumoured Arnold Schwarzenegger was building a home above Okanagan Lake.
Word was out at one time that Gwyneth Paltrow owned a lakeshore home in Kelowna.
And in the last few years, you may have heard Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt took in time on the slopes at Big White.
But proof of celebrity presence has always been elusive.
Until now…
Oscar winning actress Nicole Kidman and husband, country singer Keith Urban have been vacationing for an unknown length of time in Vernon.
The couple was spotted in the stands at the Vernon Vipers hockey game Friday night, caught on tape by the team’s own cameras.
“It was incredible,” says Vipers marketing manager Paula Colter. “They actually sat in these two seats in section ‘L’”.
Colter approached the couple to offer them privacy in the media box to enjoy the game, but Kidman and Urban politely declined.
“They were really nice about it. They said, ‘oh, no, no, no it’s ok. We’re really enjoying the game and thank you very much. Don’t worry about it we’re having a great time.’”
The couple can be seen on the video talking to each other and those sitting next to them, a group which included about 200 Australians who came to the game after skiing at nearby Silver Star Mountain.
When CHBC News inquired about Kidman and Urban’s vacation at the resort, they declined to breach guest confidentiality.
“They may or may not be,” surmised Robin Baycroft, Silver Star Mountain Resort services manager.
“The great thing with Canadians in general is we like to give people their space,” says Baycroft. “And when people come here, they can enjoy the great experience at the restaurants, the skiing, and this charming resort village we have and not be crowded and people ogling and these sorts of things.”
But if the couple were staying at the ski hill, Baycroft says it would be a tremendous boost for the resort
“This is going to put Silver Star’s name out there in places in the media where it hasn’t been before. So that will give us a bit more exposure.”
Several people who were at the ski hill Sunday told CHBC News they saw the couple having hot chocolate and having lunch at a village restaurant, confirming their visit.
“The owner of Bugaboos got an autograph for his wife,” one skier who sat beside them told CHBC News.
Other skiers felt the couple should be given privacy while they were on vacation.
“I’m sure Nicole and Keith are not too happy with all of the attention,” said one Australian skier of all the media hype.
It is unclear when the couple arrived at the resort or if they have even left as of Monday
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