Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster Make Red Carpet Debut as a Couple at AFI Fest
Hugh Jackman, 57, and Sutton Foster, 50, have officially gone public with their relationship, making their first red carpet appearance as a couple at the world premiere of Jackman’s new film “Song Sung Blue” at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The premiere, which closed this year’s AFI Fest on Sunday, October 26, saw Jackman looking dapper in a classic black tuxedo while Foster stunned in an elegant floor-length black satin gown with delicate spaghetti straps. The couple appeared visibly happy, smiling warmly and embracing as they posed for photographers. This public debut marks a significant milestone in their relationship, which has been developing quietly behind the scenes until earlier this year when they were first spotted holding hands in Los Angeles and sharing a kiss at an In-N-Out Burger drive-thru in California.
Both Jackman and Foster come from significant previous relationships that recently ended. Jackman announced his separation from wife Deborra-Lee Furness in September 2023 after 27 years of marriage, a split that shocked fans who had long viewed them as one of Hollywood’s most enduring couples. In their joint statement, they expressed that they were pursuing “individual growth” while emphasizing their continued commitment to their family, including their two adopted children, Oscar (25) and Ava (20). Similarly, Foster filed for divorce from her husband Ted Griffin in October 2024 after nearly ten years together. The Broadway star and Griffin share an adopted daughter who is now 8 years old. According to inside sources speaking to Us Weekly in February, Jackman and Foster are “madly in love” and relieved to be able to appear together publicly following these separations, though they reportedly aren’t officially living together yet.
The origins of Jackman and Foster’s relationship trace back to their professional collaboration in the 2022 Broadway revival of “The Music Man,” where they shared the stage to critical acclaim. Their chemistry evidently extended beyond their theatrical performances, though the timeline of their romance has become somewhat controversial. In November 2024, a source claimed to Us Weekly that their relationship was actually “the reason Hugh and Deb got divorced,” suggesting there was “an affair and overlap” that many in Broadway circles allegedly knew about but kept quiet out of respect for both parties. This revelation has cast a somewhat complicated shadow over what would otherwise be a celebratory new chapter for the pair, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding Jackman’s separation from Furness after nearly three decades together.
At the AFI Fest premiere, Jackman also posed with his “Song Sung Blue” co-star Kate Hudson, who wore a striking silky burnt orange gown. The film features the pair as Mike and Claire Sardina, the real-life married couple who formed the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder. The premiere offered a glimpse into Jackman’s continued professional success even as his personal life undergoes significant transformation. For both Jackman and Foster, accomplished performers in their respective fields, this public debut represents not just a romantic milestone but also a merging of their professional and personal worlds, as they both navigate the transition from long-term marriages to a new relationship in the spotlight.
In May 2024, Deborra-Lee Furness broke her silence regarding the end of her marriage to Jackman, offering a statement to the Daily Mail that hinted at feelings of betrayal. “My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,” she said, adding that such an experience “cuts deep.” While not directly referencing Jackman and Foster’s relationship, her comments about navigating “the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage” and gaining “knowledge and wisdom through this experience” suggested the split was not as amicable as initially portrayed in their joint statement. Furness, now 69, expressed her belief in a higher power working in her favor despite apparent adversity, framing her experience as a path toward “true purpose” despite the pain involved.
As Jackman and Foster step into the spotlight together, they join the ranks of high-profile couples navigating new relationships under public scrutiny after ending significant long-term marriages. Their appearance at the AFI Fest represents more than just a glamorous Hollywood moment—it symbolizes their readiness to face the public as a couple despite the complex circumstances surrounding their relationship’s beginnings. For fans of both performers, this new chapter offers a reminder that life’s paths often take unexpected turns, even for beloved celebrities whose previous relationships seemed unshakeable. As they continue to build their relationship, both on and off the red carpet, Jackman and Foster appear determined to move forward together despite the complexities of their past relationships and the challenges of finding new love in the unforgiving glare of Hollywood’s spotlight.
