After months of speculation about Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster's relationship status, the two Broadway stars have been seen out in public together hand in hand. Recent photographs obtained by People show Hugh and Sutton appearing happy as they walk down a street in Santa Monica on their way to dinner.
The pair, who have known each other for 20 years and appeared together in The Music Man, looked chic on their dinner date, with Sutton wearing a tan trench coat over her olive green dress, and Hugh donning a dark jacket over grey shirt and white jeans. This sighting follows the end of Hugh's marriage to Deborra-Lee Furness, which shocked many fans after the couple announced their separation in September 2023 after 27 years of marriage.
Hugh and Deborra, who share two children, were known as one of Hollywood's rare success stories. Following their separation, the couple stated, "We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. Our journeys now are shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth." Meanwhile, Sutton announced her own separation from husband Ted Griffin earlier this year, with the couple sharing one child.
The romance rumors between Jackman and Foster began swirling around the latter half of 2024, with sources informing Page Six about their strong bond. According to one insider, the couple is "in love" and has been careful to stay out of the public eye. They were reportedly sneaking around to avoid being caught together publicly.
Interest intensified around October 2024, particularly when Deborra-Lee liked a social media post by pop culture reporter Tasha Lustig discussing the rumored relationship. Lustig's post suggested Furness felt blindsided by the reports. Amanda de Cadenet, a friend of Deborra-Lee, commented on the post, saying, "You are on point with this one. My beloved friend Deb is about to have her glow up any moment fyi!" This comment seemed to add to speculation surrounding the couples involved.
Jackman and Foster have often praised each other during interviews. Sutton reminisced about working with Hugh, stating, "He has an impeccable reputation of being the hardest-working man, incredibly kind, and generous—and all of it is true,” emphasizing her fondness for their long-standing friendship which blossomed during their work together on Broadway.
Since their recent public sightings, fans have shared their thoughts on social media. Some comments expressed empathy for Jackman's former wife, like, "I feel so sorry for his wife who was blindsided by this relationship," echoing concerns about the personal fallout from the situation. But many fans also showed support for the new pairing, noting, "They look so happy! They cute! Happiness for you both!"
Jackman and Foster's relationship is reportedly marked by joy—just days ago, they were seen enjoying dinner together, laughing and eating, reinforcing public interest surrounding their connection. Jackman's relaxed demeanor was on display, showing he could be moving on from his past without the burdens of his previous relationship.
Despite the swirling rumors and public interest, representatives for both stars have remained tight-lipped about the relationship. The ambiguity does not deter the public's curiosity, as tabloids and social media continue to speculate about the next steps for the couple.
Throughout this period, both Jackman and Foster have continued to focus on their respective careers. Jackman is expected to return to the stage for live concerts at Radio City Music Hall soon, and Sutton remains active with her award-winning performances, recently starring in Once Upon A Mattress.
While the world keeps watching, the emotional transitions for both actors seem to be moving forward. Jackman still retains great fondness for Deborra-Lee, ensuring respect for their past, as stories about love and friendship interplay within this new chapter of life are being written anew.
With each new day, the public is left wondering how Jackman and Foster’s relationship will progress amid the backdrop of significant personal changes, making this story captivating on many fronts.