Three lies we've been told about Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster's romance.

There's nothing we Aussies love more than Hugh Jackman. Except maybe a sausage sizzle at Bunnings. Two Aussie classics, right there.

Jackman's long-standing relationship with Deborra-Lee Furness has been well documented in the annals of Australian history, and so, it was a major upset when they announced their divorce in September 2023 after 27 years of marriage.

The couple share two children together; Oscar, 24, and Ava, 19. Their split was described as amicable, with the couple releasing a joint statement via People Magazine to announce their separation.

"We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth," they shared at the time.

But one year later in October 2024, in news that no one saw coming (except, perhaps, the very biggest Broadway nerds), Hugh Jackman was linked to his long-term friend and former co-star Sutton Foster.

For her part, Foster had only just filed for divorce from her husband of 10 years, Ted Griffin. As news of her split hit, reports of a romance with Jackman littered tabloid headlines.

"They are 100 percent together and are in love and want to spend the rest of their lives together," a source told Page Six.

Listen to The Spill discuss Hugh Jackman's new relationship here. Post continues below.

Jackman and Foster's romance is a story told in a series of unfolding images and 'source' quotes.

Following initial reports, we've faced a number of falsehoods as the couple have cemented their romantic status. In particular, there is a storyline taking shape that centres around infidelity and the poor, sad wife left behind.

By all accounts — by, you know, their own accounting — Furness and Jackman's split came long before his new romance. It was also described as a journey coming to an end, not a feisty breakdown of a marriage. Tabloids have since constructed narratives about affairs and cheating scandals. Look at the comments section on any report, and you'll see fans calling Jackman a scoundrel and Foster a home-wrecker.

This week, two different sets of images were released — and they told a vastly different story.

But there are three important things we need to remember.

One, we are not privy to the inner-workings of their private lives. We don't actually know that infidelity played a part in either of these divorces.

Yes, Foster and Jackman have been friends for decades. Most recently, they co-starred in The Music Man from 2021 to 2023.

"He's one of the greatest guys ever, an incredible costar," Foster told People Magazine in June 2024, speaking of their working relationship. The close friends vacationed together with their families.

Does this make the timeline of 'falling' for each other appear murkier? Well, it's easy for the tabloids to make it seem that way.

Jackman and Furness had announced their separation one full year before he was romantically linked with Foster, and had likely been coming to that point for some time. Celebs don't break up and immediately call People Magazine — that would be absurd and goes against any sane advice a publicist would provide. Likewise, Foster and her partner, Griffin, had likely been separated for some time before she filed for divorce.

While online discourse would have you believe this has been the cheating scandal of the century, we actually have zero fact-based evidence to suggest as much. What we do have, is the statements they've made.

Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman attend a Broadway event in 2008. Image: Getty.

Two, we don't know that Deborra-Lee Furness has been left heartbroken or shell-shocked.

Throughout Furness and Jackman's marriage, there was a disgusting narrative that played out in the press (and amongst some very parasocial fans) that the romance was somehow fake or manufactured. That Hugh did not love Deb… his wife of 27 years. That Deb was Hugh's cover for being secretly gay. The rumour was so persistent they addressed it head-on, time and time again.

"It's kind of tragic that these people have nothing better to do than gossip about people they don't know," Furness said in 2011.

"If he was gay, fine, he would say he was gay. It has gotten so out of whack… it's stupid, yeah, it's annoying, because it's not true," she said again in 2013, adding it was "offensive" to suggest her own husband wasn't in love with her.

When the divorce was announced, the rumours that Jackman was gay continued to be splashed around and fans continued to mock the marriage that once was. When it was revealed Jackman had moved on with Foster, the tone shifted.

Since then, the energy has been focused on portraying Furness as the jilted ex-wife. Once portrayed as the 'beard' to a gay husband, now she was being singled out online as the sad, abandoned woman. But how the hell would these tabloids know what she's feeling?

Recently, Furness was seen enjoying the tennis at the Australian Open with her daughter, Ava. She's out there living her life with her family, seemingly enjoying herself, along with her own still-flourishing career with roles in The Dry 2 and the upcoming film Antibody Heat alongside Anthony LaPaglia.

She may very well be upset about the romance or the speed at which Jackman moved on. We won't know until the day she decides to spill the beans… if that ever happens. But she's also not sitting around an empty house, cutting out photos of Foster for her burn book.

Deborrah-Lee Furness and her daughter, Ava, were seen having all kinds of fun at the Aus Open. Image: Getty.

Three, we've been told that Foster and Jackman are flaunting their romance.

The latest photos captured of the couple are quite obviously invasive paparazzi images, taken as the pair were seen in a car park hopping into their vehicle. The images are grainy and distorted, making it clear they were taken by long-lens paparazzi. Honestly, we wouldn't put it past the news outlets who published them to have captured these images via CCTV.

But the reality is: they are living their life, not flaunting their love. And being stalked by paps, to boot.

Following months of speculation, their romance was already 'confirmed' in early January 2025. It seemed clear at the time this was a somewhat staged stroll for the paparazzi (and People Magazine), unlike the images that surfaced this week on Page Six and TMZ.

In the photos 'obtained by People' the pair could be clearly seen walking hand-in-hand along the streets of Santa Monica. This romantic rendezvous came after Jackman attended Foster's performance in Once Upon a Mattress.

It seemed this sweet display was their way of confirming the relationship on their own terms. With a nice big 'exclusive' label.

With rumours flying around, it makes perfect sense they wanted to control the first real 'glimpse' into their lives as a couple in this controlled environment. But does a hand-hold constitute flaunting? Hardly.

In the following week, bringing us to today, the new images of Jackman with Foster in a car park, and Furness with their daughter, have painted a very different picture to the reports we've been seeing: they appear to be happily living their lives, not spending time feuding over scandal.

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Of course, there was one moment on Instagram that fanned the flames of controversy at the tail-end of 2024.

In an October 26 video, gossip blogger Tasha Lustig claimed Jackman was "running off with the mistress" and hinted at a planned "soft launch" for their relationship. "Do y'all remember when I told you this man was up to no good," Ludwig asked, as she shared a snap of Jackman and Foster looking cosy on the red carpet.

Both the Mail and Us Weekly reported that Deborra-Lee Furness liked this video from her private Instagram account — although it is not possible for people she does not follow to confirm this.

Adding to the speculation was a comment from Furness' friend Amanda de Cadenet who wrote, "You are on point with this one. My beloved friend Deb is about to have her glow up any moment fyi!"

Is it a petty Instagram drama? Most likely. Cadenet did not confirm an affair, but she did hint at some sour feelings over the new romance. Neither Jackman nor Furness have publicly commented on the alleged drama.

Feature Image: Getty.

This article was originally published on October 25, 2024 and has since been updated with new information.