It happened on a Monday. Most people are just trying to survive the start of the work week, but for Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, January 6, 2025, was the night they stopped hiding. They were spotted in Santa Monica, walking hand-in-hand, looking like two people who didn't care who was watching anymore. For months, the Broadway whisper network had been buzzing. If you follow the theater scene, you know the rumors about these two have been relentless since their run in The Music Man.
But seeing them together in the flesh? That changed things.
The hugh jackman sutton foster santa monica restaurant sighting wasn't just another celebrity dinner. It was a "hard launch" of a relationship that has been the subject of intense speculation ever since Hugh split from Deborra-Lee Furness and Sutton filed for divorce from Ted Griffin. They weren't just eating; they were making a statement.
The Santa Monica Date That Changed Everything
So, what went down? The pair was photographed strolling through the streets of Santa Monica after grabbing dinner. Honestly, they looked incredibly relaxed. Hugh was rocking a dark zip-up jacket over a simple grey T-shirt and white jeans—classic, low-key, very "California cool" for an Aussie living in the States. Sutton was glowing in an olive green dress paired with a tan trench coat and black heels.
They weren't just walking near each other. They were locked together, fingers intertwined.
Why Santa Monica?
Santa Monica is a bit of a strategic choice for a celebrity date. It’s public enough that you’ll definitely be seen if you want to be, but it lacks the claustrophobic intensity of some West Hollywood spots. By choosing a local spot here, they managed to keep the vibe "normal" while simultaneously confirming every rumor that had been floating around since 2023.
Interestingly, this dinner came only two days after Hugh was seen in the audience at the Ahmanson Theatre, supporting Sutton during one of her final performances in Once Upon a Mattress. He wasn't just there as a fan; he was sitting with the legendary Carol Burnett. That’s a heavy-duty support system.
The Timeline Nobody Talks About
We have to look at the "overlap" that everyone in Broadway circles has been gossiping about. It’s kinda messy. Hugh and Deborra-Lee announced their split in September 2023 after 27 years. That sent shockwaves through Hollywood. Then, in October 2024, Sutton filed for divorce from her husband of ten years, Ted Griffin.
- December 2021 – January 2023: The duo stars in The Music Man on Broadway.
- September 2023: Hugh Jackman announces his separation.
- October 2024: Sutton Foster files for divorce.
- January 6, 2025: The infamous Santa Monica dinner date.
- January 2026: The couple is spotted celebrating the New Year in Costa Rica.
Reports from sources close to the production of The Music Man suggested that their bond was an "open secret." People on Broadway are generally protective of their own, so the news stayed within the theater community for a long time. They weren't just co-stars; they were best friends who clearly found something deeper.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Affair" Rumors
Look, everyone loves a scandal. When US Weekly reported that the relationship was the reason for Hugh’s divorce, the internet went wild. But it’s rarely that simple. Relationships that last nearly 30 years don't usually end because of one person. However, the chemistry between Hugh and Sutton was undeniable from night one of rehearsals.
Sutton even told Vogue back in 2022 that Hugh has a reputation for being the "kindest man," and that they had become best friends. When you're performing eight shows a week with someone, the line between the characters (Harold and Marian) and the real people (Hugh and Sutton) gets blurry. They make each other laugh. That’s usually how it starts.
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The In-N-Out Factor
Just to add a bit of "regular human" flavor to the story, the day before the Santa Monica sighting, they were actually seen at an In-N-Out in the San Fernando Valley. They were caught on camera sharing a kiss inside a Range Rover in the drive-thru. If anything says "we're a real couple," it’s a Double-Double and a make-out session in a parking lot.
Navigating the Public Eye in 2026
Since that hugh jackman sutton foster santa monica restaurant outing, the two have stopped playing coy. They've been seen at the Café Carlyle in New York and made their official red carpet debut in October 2025 for Hugh’s film Song Sung Blue.
They seem to be following the classic "slow burn" PR strategy.
- Quietly support each other at work.
- Get "caught" by paparazzi in a relatable setting (like Santa Monica or In-N-Out).
- Wait a few months.
- Instagram official / Red Carpet.
It works because it allows the public to get used to the idea of them as a unit before they start doing joint interviews.
What This Means for Their Careers
Hugh is currently busy with his concert series From New York, with Love, and Sutton continues to be the reigning queen of Broadway. If anything, the relationship has only increased interest in their individual projects. Fans are constantly scanning the front rows of their shows to see if the other is there.
Basically, they've become the ultimate theater power couple. While some fans are still mourning the end of Hugh’s long-term marriage, most seem to be embracing this new chapter. There's something undeniably "meant-to-be" about two musical theater icons finding each other later in life.
Next Steps for Fans and Travelers:
If you're looking to catch a glimpse of the couple or just want to eat where the stars do, keep an eye on the high-end but relaxed dining spots in Santa Monica and the Upper East Side in NYC. For those interested in the Broadway side of things, checking the performance schedules for the Café Carlyle is your best bet for seeing them in a more intimate, "insider" setting. If you're following the legal side of their previous relationships, most of the divorce filings have transitioned into private settlements as of early 2026, marking a clean slate for both performers.