Hugh Jackman’s new romance with Sutton Foster is under scrutiny as his ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, reportedly doubts the relationship’s future. Since their separation and ensuing divorce, speculation about Jackman and Foster’s connection has intensified, prompting Furness to share candid opinions about their bond.
Furness Expresses Skepticism About Jackman and Foster’s Relationship
According to those close to Deborra-Lee Furness, the actress is not convinced that Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster will maintain their relationship for long. Reports have recently emerged that the two are now cohabitating in Jackman’s New York apartment, further fueling talk about their budding romance.
One insider revealed Furness’ take on the situation, suggesting that she views Jackman’s involvement with Foster as a short-term rebound:
“Debs isn’t hiding how she feels about Hugh and Sutton playing house. She thinks it’s a total rebound fantasy, and she’s not buying it for a second. She’s joked to friends that she’s taking bets on how long it’ll last, and she’s putting her money on under a year,”
—insider, In Touch
The source continued, stating that Furness considered the situation complicated and thought her ex-husband had not properly processed their marriage’s end before starting something new. Despite her apparent skepticism, the source emphasized that her reaction is not out of bitterness. Nevertheless, it’s clear that Jackman’s rapid transition to a new romance caught Furness off guard and left her feeling betrayed.
Hints of Infidelity Surround Split After Decades Together
The public announcement of Deborra-Lee Furness and Hugh Jackman’s separation came in September 2023, after almost three decades as a married couple. Their joint statement at the time suggested personal changes and diverging paths led to the breakup, without mentioning any breach of trust.
However, recent interviews indicate Furness’s perspective has evolved, and she now alludes to deeper wounds from the split, specifically infidelity. She spoke openly about the pain she experienced, sharing:
“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal. 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.”
—Deborra-Lee Furness, actress
Her words echo the emotional cost of the breakup. The suggestion that Jackman may have broken marital vows, combined with the timing of his new relationship with Foster, contributes to an image of unresolved hurt and betrayals that continue to shape Furness’s public statements.
Choosing Self-Healing and Integrity After Heartbreak
Despite the emotional turmoil, Deborra-Lee Furness has strived to reframe her post-divorce journey as one of self-discovery and renewed focus on her internal values. She described the loss of her 27-year marriage as deeply painful, but also stressed her decision to prioritize personal integrity, boundaries, and self-fulfillment. This approach has allowed her to find a sense of freedom despite the upheaval.
Reflecting on their history, Furness and Jackman first met on the set of the Australian television drama “Correlli” in 1995. Their rapid courtship culminated in marriage after just four months, with a wedding in Melbourne in April 1996. They formed a family by adopting two children, Oscar and Ava, and appeared for years to be one of Australia’s most enduring celebrity couples, until signs of strain became public in 2023.
Tracing the Roots of Jackman and Foster’s Connection
Long before public speculation about Hugh Jackman’s new romance with Sutton Foster, the pair developed a close friendship as fellow performers on Broadway in the early 2000s. Jackman offered support to Foster during her starring turn as Millie Dillmount in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” in 2002, forming a supportive relationship that remained platonic for years.
Despite their camaraderie, Jackman and Foster did not share the same stage until starring together in “The Music Man” revival, first planned for an October 2020 launch but delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2022 production, audiences took notice of their apparent chemistry and the closeness of their offstage relationship, but the timeline for when platonic companionship became romance remains unclear.
After Jackman’s split from Furness in 2023, Foster ended her own marriage to Ted Griffin. By 2025, the couple publicly confirmed their status with outward displays of affection, as reported by PEOPLE, further inflaming curiosity about when their relationship truly began and whether it overlapped with their respective former marriages.
Divorce Settlement Finalizes Jackman and Furness’s Chapter
As of last month, Jackman and Furness had nearly completed their divorce process. Early disagreements over the absence of a prenup initially threatened to complicate the settlement, due to the division of their considerable wealth and assets across multiple properties. But reports indicate that both reached a mutually satisfactory agreement.
According to insiders, Furness received a substantial spousal support arrangement, and the splitting of real estate holdings — including homes in the Hamptons, London, and New York, plus a retreat in Bondi Beach ultimately awarded to Jackman — marked the final legal hurdle.
Only a judge’s approval remains before the formal dissolution of their marriage is complete. The proceedings close a long personal and financial partnership and clear the path for each to move forward independently.
An Uncertain Future for Jackman and Foster
With the divorce almost finalized, both ex-spouses appear focused on their respective futures. Jackman’s new romance with Sutton Foster is the subject of public fascination and skepticism alike, with Deborra-Lee Furness’s doubts reflecting unresolved emotions and the ongoing tension following a high-profile split. Whether the couple will endure and prove their skeptics wrong remains an open question as they continue to navigate their new reality in the public eye.
