Only months after finalizing his divorce, Hugh Jackman has quickly stepped into a new relationship that has stunned the public. The Hollywood star’s new romance with Sutton Foster made headlines during their first joint red carpet appearance in October 2025, catching fans by surprise due to the couple’s unexpected pairing.
Following the official end of his nearly 27-year marriage to Deborra-Lee Furness in June 2025, Jackman has emerged publicly with Foster, igniting strong reactions across social media. Their evident closeness at the AFI Fest premiere of Jackman’s film highlighted a fresh chapter in his personal life, prompting both support and criticism from fans.
After Decades Together, Jackman and Furness End Their Marriage
On June 24, 2025, it was confirmed that Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness had legally ended their marriage. Official court records from the New York Suffolk County Supreme Court indicated that the divorce judgment had been entered earlier that month, finalizing the separation nearly two years after the couple publicly announced their split in September 2023.
In their earlier joint statement, the former spouses explained their decision was driven by a desire to “pursue our individual growth,” marking the difficult conclusion of a long partnership. According to reports from the Daily Mail, Furness initiated the divorce filing on May 23, 2025, and all matters were resolved privately, allowing for a clean legal break.
Revealing Their Relationship: Jackman and Sutton Foster’s Public Debut
The new couple’s high-profile debut took place on October 26, 2025, during the closing night gala premiere of Jackman’s film Song Sung Blue in Hollywood, California. The 57-year-old actor and 50-year-old Foster confidently walked the red carpet together, marking the first time they appeared publicly as a couple.
Photographs from the event captured the pair exuding warmth and elegance. Jackman wore a timeless black suit and tie, while Foster complemented him beautifully in a black satin dress with a matching clutch. Their affectionate poses underscored the intimacy shared between them in the spotlight.
Social Media Reacts: Mixed Emotions Over The Age Gap and Appearance
The unveiling of Jackman’s new romance with Foster swiftly triggered a wave of comments online. While some fans expressed happiness for Jackman’s apparent joy, others fixated on the couple’s significant age difference and physical resemblance, sparking heated debates across platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
“I think things happen in a marriage maybe they had nothing in common in the end not all marriages last. He looks much happier with Sutton,”
said one Facebook user.
— EntertainmentTonight Facebook commenter
“They have the same face. Never realized that before.”
— EntertainmentTonight Facebook commenter
Conversely, critical voices emerged, with remarks such as:
“I thought it was his daughter!”
— Anonymous Facebook commenter
“Sad sad sad on every level he looks like her father.”
— Anonymous Facebook commenter
“They look like brother & sister.”
— Instagram user
Some supporters chimed in with more compassionate observations. One Instagram user wrote:
“He looks so much more relaxed and less like he’s in trouble all the time like he did before. I like her for him,”
— Instagram commenter
This polarized reaction intensified the conversation around the new couple, highlighting the public’s uncertainty about this unexpected pairing.
Deborra-Lee Furness Opens Up About Heartache and Betrayal
As Jackman debuted a new relationship, Deborra-Lee Furness finally spoke publicly about the emotional toll of their separation. In a statement issued in late May 2025, Furness reflected with candor on the trauma she endured throughout the breakdown of their long marriage.
“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,”
she shared.
— Deborra-Lee Furness, Actress
“It’s a profound wound that cuts deep… 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
Furness further explained that her faith has helped her cope with the painful experience, offering strength during the process of healing. She remarked:
“This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage. I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience. Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose.”
— Deborra-Lee Furness, Actress
“It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom.”
— Deborra-Lee Furness, Actress
Her heartfelt message underscored the depth of the emotional journey behind the public headlines of Jackman’s new romance.
Foster and Jackman’s Relationship Gathers Public Attention
Before their red carpet reveal, Jackman and Foster’s relationship had already attracted attention. Nearly nine months prior, they were photographed holding hands in Los Angeles, fueling speculation about their bond. The couple continued to make appearances together, including the Fetch Pet Gala in New York City on October 20, 2025.
At the gala, both were impeccably dressed—Jackman in black and Foster in a black velvet gown—sharing warm smiles and intimate moments. The following evening, they attended a Richard Marx concert at Café Carlyle, where they posed arm-in-arm alongside Marx and his wife, Daisy Fuentes. Jackman wore a sharp blue suit and Foster a white knit dress, projecting an image of growing closeness.
Even earlier, in January 2025, photos captured the couple sharing a kiss in a casual setting at an In-N-Out Burger drive-thru. Jackman looked relaxed in casual attire, and Foster sported comfortable clothing. This candid moment sparked varied reactions, some questioning if Foster was pregnant, while others focused on her style and the apparent happiness between the two.
Shared Challenges: Infertility and Adoption Bring Jackman and Foster Closer
Jackman and Furness faced significant struggles trying to have children, a challenge Jackman has spoken about openly. He acknowledged the emotional strain of failed attempts and miscarriages, describing it as a “painful” process that involved much effort and anxiety.
“It’s not easy… You put a lot of time and effort into it, so it’s emotional.”
— Hugh Jackman, Actor
“Trying to have children is wonderful and when you feel as though that’s not going to happen, there’s a certain anxiety that goes with it.”
— Hugh Jackman, Actor
The couple eventually embraced adoption and proudly raised their two children, Oscar and Ava. Jackman emphasized their belief in destiny, saying:
“We feel things happened the way they are meant to.”
— Hugh Jackman, Actor
“Everyone’s in the right place with the right people.”
— Hugh Jackman, Actor
He rejected any notion of a distinction between biological and adopted children, stating:
“I don’t think of them as adopted – they’re our children. Deb and I are believers in … I suppose you could call it destiny. We feel things happened the way they are meant to.”
— Hugh Jackman, Actor
“Everyone’s in the right place with the right people. It sounds airy-fairy, but it’s something we feel very deeply.”
— Hugh Jackman, Actor
Foster’s experience echoes similar themes. She and her ex-husband Ted Griffin faced infertility and turned to adoption, welcoming their daughter Emily Dale in 2017. Foster spoke lovingly about the process:
“We had all these roadblocks, but as soon as we started pursuing adoption, it was like the roadblocks were going away… Our daughter was cannonballing towards us.”
— Sutton Foster, Actress
“It’s overwhelmingly beautiful. It’s overwhelming love for this little human. And I’m so excited that her story is now my story, and it’s really been a beautiful addition to my life.”
— Sutton Foster, Actress
Foster also shared how she developed a close relationship with her daughter’s birth mother, deepening the emotional complexity of the adoption journey.
An Emerging Partnership Rooted in Shared Experiences
Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, both having navigated the trials of parenthood through adoption and the healing of past heartbreaks, now appear ready to build a future together. Their visible affection and mutual understanding have captured the public’s intrigue, as they step into this new chapter in the spotlight.
Though still early in their relationship, Jackman and Foster’s journey reflects themes of resilience and hope, highlighting two individuals who have found companionship after profound personal challenges. As they continue to make joint appearances and grow closer, many are watching to see how this unexpected romance will evolve over time.
