Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster are continuing to make headlines with the couple amping up their now-public relationship status amid Jackman’s divorce being finalised.
The couple were seen walking hand-in-hand and laughing while out to dinner in Santa Monica on Monday January 6, all but affirming the rumoured romance.
In late 2024, news broke of Foster’s divorce, a year after Australia’s golden couple Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness shared the news of their own split following 27 years of marriage.
The split, announced in September 2023, was a shock to fans everywhere, and while speculation around what could have caused the sudden divorce was rife, the couple seemed as solid as ever in their conscious uncoupling.
At the time, an alleged source explained that Jackman’s ex-wife had no plans on adding her voice to the chorus, outlining the pair’s agreement that the details of their marriage – and subsequent divorce – remain private. “Deborra-Lee wants to be left out of this narrative,” said the source. “She is not going to address this or speak against Hugh.”
“Hugh still has tremendous respect for Deborra-Lee. They have kids and that is what is important to them both. The are repairing what they can, and will never talk ill about each other.”
That was all well and good, until Deborra-Lee finally filed for divorce from Hugh Jackman, issuing a searing statement about the fact to media. “My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,” she shared in a statement with Daily Mail, adding: “It’s a profound wound that cuts deep, however I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us.”
And if that’s not a clear statement on the new couple’s relationship timeline, then we don’t know what is.
So what is it about the timing of the supposed Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster friends-to-lovers pipeline that has the internet so intrigued? Read on for everything we know about their 17-year history.
Hugh Jackman & Sutton Foster: A Relationship Timeline
The pair’s friendship has been well documented, with Jackman and Foster first meeting behind the scenes of Shrek: The Musical in 2008 and going on to enjoying a close working relationship for years after starring in Broadway’s The Music Man together from 2021-January 2023.
Both Jackman and Foster have been completely open about their mutual respect over the years. And, in an interview with People in June 2024, Sutton raved about the actor, saying “He’s one of the greatest guys ever, an incredible costar.”
Soon after, the actress followed up with glowing remarks about how the pair’s friendship blossomed during production of The Music Man.
“He’s now become one of my best friends, which was a surprise, because you usually go into these things thinking, ‘Well, I hope we get along.’ But we just spent Memorial Day with our families,” she said in an interview with Vogue. “It’s really fun to meet new friends after 40.”
And don’t get us wrong, there’s nothing more wholesome than a Hugh Jackman bromance or Broadway bestie timeline taking place before our eyes, but after sources revealed there could be more at play as far back as December 2023, questions began circling.
Reports claiming the co-stars were “100 per cent together and are in love and want to spend the rest of their lives together,” added fuel to the fire.
“They spend all of their free time together,” said another alleged source. “They are a regular couple, they are just in private.”
Meanwhile, Sutton wasn’t the only one waxing lyrical about the Wolverine star, as evidenced in a 2022 appearance on Seth Meyers’ Late Night show.
During the interview, the Younger star raves about getting to work alongside Jackman, saying “I’m having the time of my life playing opposite this guy,” to which Jackman responds playfully “You had to say that, but thank you.”
“I did!” Sutton exclaimed, before continuing “But it’s like, it’s like a dream come true. Truly.”
And as rumour turns to reality, a fresh new year delivered multiple sightings of the pair, whose budding relationship is continuing to grow.
After being spotted attending Foster’s latest starring performance in Once Upon A Mattress on January 4, 2025, Jackman appeared relaxed and carefree.
Theatregoers were treated to more than a show as Jackman took photos of his seat partner, iconic actress Carol Burnett, as she received a standing ovation in acknowledgment of her role in the show’s original 1959 production, during intermission.
The couple were then seen walking hand-in-hand and laughing while out to dinner in Santa Monica on Monday January 6, in a very staged outing that put to rest any speculation about the pair’s relationship status.
Deborra-Lee Gave Her Blessing, Or Did She?
As Jackman and Foster’s relationship moved from rumour to reality, Jackman’s ex-wife Deborra-Lee remained reserved, staying out of the public eye and allowing the news to play out without her involvement. However, Furness did eventually enter the ‘new couple’ chat, in a very subtle way.
Tasha Lustig, whose social media account documents scandalous celebrity moments, posted a video explainer of the Jackman/Foster romance titled ‘Hugh Jackman’s Divorce Mess‘ on October 27, 2024. In it, the content creator outlined key points in the new couple’s relationship timeline, including Foster’s previous breakups, and pointed to an earlier post where she’d shared her thoughts on their ‘friendship’ prior to Foster’s divorce announcement.
At the time of writing, the video had received 1.4 million views and over 26.1k likes, one of which apparently confirmed that Lustig’s account was indeed onto something.
According to US Weekly, Deborra-Lee “liked” the post, adding to the chorus of people agreeing with the sentiment expressed by Lustig.
As Furness’ account is private, only accounts that she follows (US Weekly is one) can see her social activity, and so while the general public may not be able to clarify whether this is the case or not, the evidence is definitely there. Especially as one of the top comments on the post was published by Deborra-Lee’s close friend, British media personality Amanda de Cadenet, who weighed into the conversation with the comment: “@tashalustig you are on point with this one. My beloved friend Deb is about to her her glow up any moment fyi!”
After all, we know that a subtle nod or in this case, a single “like” can have the power of a thousand words.
Did Blake & Ryan Choose Sides?
The long-running bromance between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman has always been a refreshing reminder of real life, in a world rife with PR relationships and Hollywood facades.
In an interview with People earlier in 2024, Jackman and Reynolds gushed about their enviable rapport, sharing sweet anecdotes that spoke to their genuine love for one another.
“There’s probably fewer friends in our life that you can say anything to, the stuff you’re ashamed, embarrassed, anything,” Jackman said.
“And ever since I’ve known you, and I would say in particular in like the last five, 10 years, we’ve had more time where we go for our walks because you’re an unbelievable listener,” he continued. “So you can tell me anything and I can tell you anything, and I don’t feel like you’re going to be judging or necessarily giving me the answer: ‘Do this.’ And I think that has been the key.”
So it will come as no surprise to anyone that the pair’s near-decade-long friendship extended beyond their bromance bubble to their significant others – or rather in Hugh’s case, his ex-wife Deborra-Lee.
Couple friendships are all well and good… that is, until they’re not.
We’ve almost all been part of a friendship group where a couple has broken up the surviving partners are forced into awkward allegiances that test group dynamics in more ways than one. But it’s so much harder when that friendship circle is made up of several, extremely famous members.
Even more awkward, is when the extremely famous members also come with some slightly murky rumours attached to their breakup.
According to Radar Online, sources revealed that Deborra-Lee was less than thrilled with close pals Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, who allegedly “could sense something was brewing between Hugh and Sutton Foster.”
“But they kept their lips sealed out of loyalty to Hugh. Despite their longtime relationship with Deb, they chose to cover for him!” the source continued.
“Now she is seething with rage over being the last to know about the clandestine affair. Deb feels blindsided. She has a memory like a steel trap and isn’t afraid to use it!”
And after Deborra-Lee’s searing post-divorce statement appeared to call Jackman out for his questionable behaviour, something tells us this isn’t the last we’ll be hearing from her on the matter.
Related articles:
- Hugh Jackman Responds To Deborra-Lee’s Searing Statement Amid Divorce Filing
- Why ‘Grey Divorces’ Are On The Rise (And Not Just In Hollywood)
- Everything You Need To Know About Hugh Jackman’s Children
