If you were scrolling through social media recently and saw those blurry paparazzi shots of Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster sharing a kiss in a car, you weren't hallucinating. It’s the kind of thing that makes you do a double-take. For months, the Broadway whisper network was working overtime, and honestly, the sheer volume of "I heard it from a guy who works at the Winter Garden" stories was getting ridiculous. But then came the photographs.
The two were spotted at an In-N-Out drive-thru in the San Fernando Valley. Not exactly the red carpet at the Tonys, right? But there they were, leaning in for a kiss inside Jackman’s truck. It felt like the final piece of a puzzle that fans have been trying to solve since 2022.
The Kiss That Confirmed Everything
Look, we've all seen the stage chemistry. When they starred in the revival of The Music Man together, people couldn't stop talking about how they looked at each other. There’s a specific moment in that show—the bridge scene—where Harold Hill and Marian the Librarian finally give in. On Broadway, that hugh jackman and sutton foster kiss was part of the script. It was "work." But theater-goers started noticing something. The kisses were getting longer. Sometimes, the two would break character and just start laughing, clearly in their own world.
By January 2025, the "acting" excuse was out the window. After grabbing dinner in Santa Monica, they were caught on camera again. This time it wasn’t for an audience of 1,500 people in Midtown; it was just them. They weren't hiding it anymore.
- Location: Los Angeles, specifically an In-N-Out parking lot.
- The Vibe: Low-key, wearing casual sweaters, basically looking like every other couple on a Sunday night.
- The Reaction: The internet basically imploded.
Why This Isn't Just Your Average Showmance
Most Broadway flings fizzle out by the time the closing notice is posted on the call board. This one is different. You have to remember that both of these people were coming out of incredibly long, high-profile relationships. Hugh had been with Deborra-Lee Furness for 27 years. That’s a lifetime in Hollywood years.
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Then you have Sutton. She was married to screenwriter Ted Griffin for a decade. When she filed for divorce in October 2024, just days before their tenth anniversary, the rumor mill went from a low hum to a jet engine roar. People started connecting the dots.
It’s complicated. It’s messy. It’s human.
Insiders have claimed that the relationship actually started while they were still performing together. If that’s true, it puts those nightly stage kisses in a completely different light. Deborra-Lee even seemingly weighed in later, liking a post that called Hugh and Sutton’s bond the reason for her divorce. That's a lot of drama for a guy who usually plays a superhero with claws.
What’s Going on With Them Right Now?
It’s 2026, and they seem to be leaning into the "power couple" status. They made their official red carpet debut at the premiere of Hugh's movie Song Sung Blue in late 2025. They even coordinated their outfits in black, which is the international celebrity signal for "we are a serious item."
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But it hasn't been all easy. Sutton’s divorce from Ted Griffin has reportedly been a bit of a "dark cloud." They share an adopted daughter, Emily, and anyone who’s been through a split knows that the legal paperwork is the least of your worries when kids are involved. Hugh has been spotted supporting her, though. He was at her Los Angeles show Once Upon a Mattress multiple times.
The Broadway Connection: Where the Sparks Started
If you want to understand why that hugh jackman and sutton foster kiss matters so much, you have to look at their history. They didn't just meet in 2022. They’ve known each other since at least 2003.
- 2003: Hugh visits Sutton backstage at Thoroughly Modern Millie. She’s the "it girl" of Broadway; he’s Wolverine.
- 2021: Rehearsals for The Music Man begin. The mutual admiration society starts.
- 2022: They spend every night together on stage.
- 2023-2024: Both announce separations from their long-term partners.
They’ve described each other as "best friends" for years. Usually, when a celebrity says that, it’s PR-speak for "we don't hate each other." With these two, it actually seems to be the foundation.
Addressing the "Betrayal" Rumors
We should probably talk about the elephant in the room. There’s a lot of talk about "betrayal." When you have two people leaving long marriages and immediately finding each other, people are going to talk.
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Deborra-Lee’s fans have been vocal. Sutton’s ex-husband has stayed mostly quiet. But the reality is, we only see the highlights. Relationships are weird, and they break down in private long before the public sees the cracks. Is it possible they fell in love while they were still married? Yeah, probably. Is it possible they were just two people finding comfort in a friend during a hard time? Also possible.
What to Keep an Eye On
If you're following this story, here is what you should actually be looking for in the coming months:
- The Divorce Papers: Watch for the finalization of Sutton's split. That’s usually the green light for an engagement.
- Instagram Official: They’ve started posting each other more, but keep an eye out for those casual "holiday" posts. They were recently seen in Costa Rica together, looking very much like a couple who has moved past the "secret" phase.
- Future Projects: There are already rumors of them wanting to work together again. A movie musical? Another Broadway run? If they do, expect the ticket prices to be astronomical.
Honestly, at the end of the day, it’s just a story about two people who found something unexpected in their 50s. It’s a bit scandalous, sure, but it’s also undeniably theatrical.
Next Steps for Fans: If you want to see the chemistry for yourself, look up clips of their Music Man curtain calls on YouTube. You can see the exact moment the "friendship" starts looking a lot more like a romance. Keep an eye on the New York County Supreme Court records if you're interested in the legal side of the split—that's where the real timeline is hidden.