Kidman does a Kravitz

Could it be that a little of that distinctive Kravitz style is rubbing off on demure Nicole Kidman?

Lenny Kravitz, known for his afro hairstyle, has been dating Kidman since she started renting his New York apartment six months ago.

Friends say he has been giving her singing lessons but judging by her new-look hair, she has also been taking styling lessons from the rock star.

In her latest interview, Kidman says she is ready for her first relationship since her split from Tom Cruise three years ago.

"The idea of being able to give somebody something again, that's a nice idea ... being able to give a part of yourself."

She tells W magazine she feels "blessed because I was picked up from a place that I never thought I would come out of. I have found the ability to survive. I have grappled with being lonely and am able to say I've been deeply depressed and managed to come through."

She and Kravitz are said to be soulmates and are reportedly going to announce their engagement next month at a party in the members-only Soho House club, New York.

They have become regulars on the New York party circuit, a change for Kidman who rarely went out when married to Cruise.

She says that when you have reached a certain level of fame "sitting at home is very easy. So you make yourself go out. You try to exist in the world."

However, she remains cautious about plunging into another high-profile relationship. "I don't think I will ever put myself up for scrutiny, in terms of a personal relationship, ever again. It's too delicate, too painful when it fails. So to have it on display terrifies me."

Although she is one of Hollywood's busiest and most acclaimed actresses, Kidman, 36, hints at changes in the future .

"It's almost like there's a clock ticking. I can feel that my life is not going to stay like this. The ability to keep doing what I am doing, and the desire to do it, there's an end to all that, a time when you walk away and say it's not necessary any more."

She describes a kind of long-distance-rapport and respect with Cruise based on their sharing the two children and 12 years of partnership.

"The other day I said to him [Cruise]: 'We spent 11 years together' and he said '12' and so to walk away from that and to deny that it was the most important thing in my life to date would be ridiculous. So I suppose I'm going to cherish and remember these things and this person can still be in my life though he will never be the most important person and I'm not living for this person any more."

Kidman is careful not to stray into the reasons for her split, though, tellingly, she says of marriage: "Don't do it. That's my advice to people."

She also explains why she sued over false allegations that she had a relationship with Jude Law - her co-star in Cold Mountain - though not over stories that she had a relationship with Dogville co-star Paul Bettany: "Paul Bettany wasn't married. Jude was, with three children. There's a big difference."

More importantly, though, she can't ignore those articles because of her own children, Conor and Isabella. "It's very important that they see anything you are doing is done with some sort of dignity. For children to see their mother behave in such an (undignified) way would be embarrassing for them and me."