Hugh Jackman’s love life has been widely discussed his entire life, even before he and his wife Deborra-Lee Furness announced their separation in September 2023.
Despite not yet being legally separated from his ex-partner, Hugh went public with a new flame in January 2025, his former Broadway co-star Sutton Foster.
In photos obtained People Magazine, Hugh was seen out on what looked like a date night with Sutton, the duo seen holding hands and smiling as they arrived for dinner together in Santa Monica, California.
This came just one day after Hugh was spied in the audience of Sutton’s LA theatre show, Once Upon a Mattress, on both nights of its closing weekend.
Just days later, new photos of the couple in Los Angeles emerged, the lovebirds seen walking hand in hand, huge grins adorning their faces as they gazed adoringly at one another.
While neither Hugh nor Sutton have responded to requests to comment on their apparent relationship, an insider source shared with New Idea that Hugh was “relieved to have the news out there now.”
“He and Sutton can finally get on with their lives,” they added.
How did Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster meet?
Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster starred together in the Broadway musical The Music Man from late 2021 until early 2023, and at this time, there was speculation that Sutton’s marriage to Ted Griffin was on the rocks.
Sutton and Ted, who share a daughter, later revealed that they had filed for divorce in October 2024, just over a year after Hugh announced he and Deborra-Lee were seeking a divorce.
In January 2025 an insider source made the wild claim to the Daily Mail that Hugh and Sutton would frequently go on double dates together with their former spouses.
The same source also revealed that after every performance of The Music Man, the duo would share an “uncomfortably” long embrace.
“It was odd,” said the source.
“In a way it was uncomfortable. As the entire cast was trying to get to their dressing rooms upstairs, we all had to pass the two of them hugging. They didn’t even hide it! It was a long embrace…and it was weird.”
Deb’s pain as her husband moves on
While Hugh may be pleased his new relationship has now gone public, the pictures that “hard launched” his romance were rough viewing for his ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness.
“It would be hard for any former spouse to see someone they believed to be their partner for life moving on,” an insider revealed.
“Especially given Hugh is clearly besotted.”
Unfortunately for Deb, 69, the news is likely set to get worse. An exclusive source close to Hugh and Sutton, speaking to New Idea on the condition of anonymity, believes that marriage is on the cards – and soon.
“They are incredibly in love,” revealed the insider.
“They have been together for a while now and he can’t get enough of her. I wouldn’t actually be surprised if they were already engaged to be honest.”
While Deb has maintained a stony silence over Hugh and Sutton’s loved-up couple debut, another source tells New Idea she won’t be so accepting if Hugh rushes into marriage.
“It would push her over the edge,” says a source.
“Deb has been very dignified in her silence, but being humiliated like that would be the final straw. She would come forward with her own side of the story, and it might not make pretty reading for Hugh.”
Hugh was married to Deborra-Lee for 27 years before they decided to divorce in 2023.
“We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage,” they said in a statement at the time.
“Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.”
What has Deborra-Lee Furness said about Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster?
When the rumours started, reports suggested Deborra-Lee knew about Hugh’s new relationship with Sutton.
“Deborra-Lee had her suspicions when Hugh started working with Sutton,” an insider allegedly told the Daily Mail in October 2024.
“Their relationship is not a secret to her.”
The source also said that Deborra-Lee wanted to be “left out of this narrative”.
But that may have changed after US gossip blogger Tasha Lustig posted a video describing the alleged affair as “a typical Disney mantale” – which US Weekly has said Deborra-Lee “liked” from her private account (meaning it would only be visible to people she follows).
In the video, Tasha Lustig says Hugh Jackman had “blindsided” Deborra-Lee and “was running off with the mistress”. She also said that Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster were eager to “soft launch” their relationship, and soon.
The video has racked up more than 40k “likes” on Instagram and another 78k on TikTok (and counting), with thousands of comments. This includes one from British media personality Amanda de Cadenet – who US Weekly describes as “Furness’ close friend” – which says “You are on point with this one. My beloved friend Deb is about to have her glow up any moment FYI!”
Start your journey to find love for FREE today, with eHarmony.
