Hugh Jackman’s New Girlfriend Sparks Social Media Storm—Sutton Foster Silences Trolls

What many Broadway insiders already suspected was confirmed by Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman in early 2025. They were photographed holding hands in New York’s Upper West Side, marking the official public debut of their relationship, which had been built on years of rehearsals, friendship, and creative trust. What transpired was more than just rumors; it was a full-fledged spectacle that attracted the interest of tabloids, theatergoers, and even Jackman’s ex-wife.

In 2021, while getting ready for The Music Man, Foster and Jackman first crossed paths. Their performances received high appreciation, and their innate on-stage chemistry worked especially well to give the revival a new and poignant feel. Few people realized those rehearsals were sowing the seeds of something more lasting, even though fans were raving about their duet scenes.

Sutton Foster – Relationship with Hugh Jackman

The actors continued to communicate after the musical ended in 2023. Privately, their friendship—which was already strengthened by their shared stage discipline—became much more intimate. Deborra-Lee Furness and Jackman reconnected after their split, but not on stage but rather as people negotiating difficult emotional situations. The timing was particularly convenient for Foster, who had just completed her own divorce.

The internet went crazy when they made their relationship public at the Drama Desk Awards. Jackman stood next to her, elegant and clearly enamored, and Sutton, in her crimson gown, smiled quietly. Both praise and criticism were shared on social media. Online commentators accused Foster of moving in “too fast,” especially those who were nostalgic for Jackman’s decades-long marriage. She responded by discreetly turning off comments on a number of Instagram posts. That digital quiet was a very successful strategy for keeping her calm in the face of increasing noise, not a form of avoidance.

She reminded her detractors that she is not an accessory to someone else’s story by setting that boundary. She is a grounded professional, a mother, and a Tony Award-winning actress whose identity isn’t shaped by a man’s past. Nevertheless, the story continued to develop. Deborra-Lee Furness recently gave an emotional interview in which she described her breakup with Jackman as a “painful betrayal,” evoking strong feelings and casting a long shadow over the new couple’s fresh start.

But Foster’s inner circle is adamant that she only started dating Jackman after his marriage ended. She is even prepared to “swear on a stack of scripts” that there was no overlap, according to people close to her. She just fell in love with someone she greatly admired; she didn’t break anything. Furthermore, her defense seems especially sincere coming from someone who has dedicated her professional life to creating real characters under harsh time constraints.

Typically private, Jackman has not discussed the issue in public. Sources close to the actor, however, claim that he hoped Foster would soon start to connect with his two kids, especially at family events like Oscar’s birthday. However, Foster, who is always aware of when emotions are appropriate, allegedly instructed him to “pump the brakes.” With the tensions of the divorce still present, she wasn’t prepared to take on the role of stepmother. Her need for space and self-definition was made abundantly evident in that response, which was not only cautious.

Their relationship lies at the nexus of privacy and performance. Personal vulnerability affects both actors differently, even though they are accustomed to criticism and acclaim. Foster has been questioned about her career goals in addition to her romantic life. Due to her closeness to Jackman, some have unjustly portrayed her as an ambitious climber. But when examined closely, that story breaks down. Her resume, which includes two Tony Awards, a successful television career, and a history of last-minute comebacks, speaks for itself. She has earned every moment of attention she receives; she is not riding coattails.

Foster is providing a novel perspective on celebrity relationships by continuing to move discreetly rather than ostentatiously. There isn’t a planned media campaign. Don’t post anything too romantic on Instagram. Simply spending time together in silence and making brief public appearances that convey a sense of sincerity and purpose. The choice to maintain a low profile has turned out to be surprisingly successful, establishing credibility where spectacle would have fostered suspicion.

However, public interest continues to grow. Second acts, particularly romantic ones involving well-known people, captivate people. Now that they are both over 50, Foster and Jackman are changing perceptions of middle-aged romance. This is the tale of two emotionally mature adults who found one another following personal turmoil, not a whirlwind affair between ingénues. Their relationship seems to be based on emotional maturity, shared artistry, and respect for one another.

The course of other well-known transitions is also reflected in their story. After twenty years, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez fell in love once more. After her divorce, Jennifer Garner gracefully redefined being a single mother. These instances support a more general cultural reality: love following loss can be especially enlightening. Additionally, it frequently develops deeper than what youth permits when it occurs between two individuals with different emotional ranges and life experiences.

Notably, Foster is not seeking public acceptance. She is leading a private life, guarding her daughter, and juggling a busy schedule of quiet dinners, paintings, and Broadway rehearsals. She continues to concentrate on her art, and her relationship with Jackman seems to be a continuation of her happiness rather than its focal point.