Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster's connection has captured the attention of Broadway fans and moviegoers alike. Over the years, their friendship grew into a partnership built on mutual respect and admiration, and eventually into a romantic relationship. Their surprise duet on stage in 2026 was a natural extension of the chemistry they have shared since their first meeting. Here is a look at the milestones that defined their relationship.
2003: First meeting
Jackman and Foster first crossed paths in 2003, when Foster was starring as Millie Dillmount in the Broadway musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. At the time, Jackman was already known to audiences as Wolverine in the X-Men franchise and as an acclaimed stage actor. Foster later posted a photograph from that meeting, describing herself as 'Millie and Wolverine' in the same frame. The image, taken nearly two decades before they became co-stars, was a glimpse of what would become a long and meaningful friendship.
December 2008: Reunion at Shrek
The two met again in December 2008 at the Broadway production of Shrek: The Musical, where Foster played Princess Fiona. A backstage photo from the night showed both actors smiling warmly, a sign of the easy rapport they had developed. While their careers kept them busy in separate projects, they maintained a friendly connection over the years.
June 2014: Tony Awards moment
Foster and Jackman shared a playful moment at the 68th Tony Awards in 2014, when Jackman served as host. During his hosting segment, Jackman danced through the audience and paused to share a brief dance with Foster. The moment was brief but memorable, and it gave audiences a preview of the chemistry that would later define their stage partnership.
March 2019: Music Man announcement
In March 2019, it was announced that Jackman and Foster would co-star in the Broadway revival of The Music Man. Jackman would play Harold Hill, and Foster would play Marian Paroo. The production's producer, Scott Rudin, praised Foster, saying she was 'brilliant' and a 'fantastic partner' for Jackman. Foster expressed her excitement in a television appearance, noting Jackman's charisma and her eagerness to learn from him. The announcement generated significant buzz, as both actors were celebrated for their stage talents.
December 2021: Rehearsals resume
Rehearsals for The Music Man were halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down Broadway for 18 months. When rehearsals finally resumed in December 2021, Jackman shared photos on Instagram from the first workshop in 2020. He expressed his excitement about returning to the stage and his gratitude for being able to work alongside Foster and the rest of the cast. The post captured the emotional weight of returning to live theatre after such a difficult period.
February 2022: Broadway debut
On February 10, 2022, Jackman and Foster made their Broadway debut together in The Music Man at the Winter Garden Theatre. The opening night was a star-studded event, with attendees including Blake Lively, Anne Hathaway, Donna Karan, and Andy Cohen. The production received enthusiastic reviews, and Jackman and Foster's onstage chemistry was widely praised. The next day, Foster shared a photo from the red carpet, calling Jackman 'the best.'
Their partnership continued to flourish throughout the run. In March 2022, Foster appeared on the Today show and described Jackman as 'extraordinary' and 'generous.' She said she felt like 'the luckiest woman in the world' to perform with him. Jackman, in turn, celebrated Foster's birthday during a performance, leading the audience to sing to her. Foster later joked that Jackman was 'evil, horrible, WONDERFUL' for orchestrating the surprise.
May 2022: Public appearances
The pair appeared together on Late Night with Seth Meyers in May 2022, where they shared stories about their time on Broadway. Foster admitted she was initially intimidated by Jackman, while Jackman confessed he was also nervous. He pointed to Foster's impressive resume, mentioning her six Tony nominations and two wins. That same month, Foster won the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards, and Jackman was honored as a special recognition honoree.
June 2022: Friendship deepens
In an interview with a fashion magazine, Foster called Jackman 'one of my best friends.' She described him as the hardest working man, incredibly kind, and generous. She also mentioned that the two had spent Memorial Day together with their families, emphasizing the closeness of their friendship. On June 12, Jackman and Foster performed a segment from The Music Man live at the Tony Awards, giving television audiences a taste of their stage magic.
July 2022: Carpet chats
Foster revealed on a talk show that she and Jackman had a tradition called 'carpet chats.' Before every performance, they would sit on the carpet in her dressing room and catch up. Foster explained that this ritual had become one of the best parts of the experience, and that she had made 'a wonderful new friend' in Jackman.
January 2023: Music Man closes
After an 11-month run, The Music Man closed in January 2023. Foster shared an Instagram Reel reflecting on the experience and the special bond she formed with her co-stars. The end of the production marked a change in their professional collaboration, but their friendship remained strong.
September 2023: Jackman's separation
In September 2023, Jackman and his wife of 27 years, Deborra-Lee Furness, announced their separation. The couple released a joint statement saying they were separating to pursue individual growth. The news surprised many fans, as the pair had long been considered one of Hollywood's most stable couples.
October 2024: Foster's divorce
Foster filed for divorce from her husband, Ted Griffin, in October 2024. The former couple had been married for 10 years and shared a daughter, Emily. The filings marked the end of another high-profile marriage, and both Jackman and Foster were navigating major personal changes around the same time.
January 2025: Holding hands
In January 2025, Jackman attended a Los Angeles performance of Once Upon a Mattress to support Foster. He sat next to Carol Burnett, who had originated the role of Princess Winnifred. Two days later, on January 6, Jackman and Foster were photographed holding hands during a dinner outing in Santa Monica. The photographs fueled dating rumors, and the pair seemed comfortable together.
On January 24, Foster was in the audience for the opening night of Jackman's concert series, From New York, with Love, at Radio City Music Hall. Photos showed her dressed in a black tuxedo coat over a sparkling dress, showing her support for Jackman.
September 2025: Travel together
In September 2025, photographs surfaced of Jackman and Foster heading to a trip together. Jackman handled the luggage while Foster carried her backpack and purse. Their casual attire suggested they were comfortable with each other, further confirming their relationship.
October 2025: Red carpet debut
Jackman and Foster made their red carpet debut as a couple on October 26, 2025, at the Los Angeles premiere of Jackman's film Song Sung Blue. Jackman wore a black suit and tie, while Foster chose a low-cut black satin gown. The couple posed together, officially confirming their romance to the public.
November 2025: Instagram official
On November 26, Jackman made their relationship Instagram official by sharing a photo and video of Foster performing at New York's Café Carlyle during a holiday show. In his caption, he described the performance as 'an iconic NYC night' and called it 'truly magical.' The post marked the first time Jackman publicly acknowledged their relationship on his own social media.
December 2025: New York premiere
On December 11, Jackman and Foster attended the New York City premiere of Song Sung Blue. The pair held hands and smiled for photographers on the red carpet. Jackman wore a black suit, while Foster opted for a sleeveless navy minidress with silver embellishments.
January 2026: Costa Rica trip
Jackman and Foster welcomed 2026 with a trip to Costa Rica. Photos showed them holding hands and embracing in the ocean. Foster wore a blue bikini set, while Jackman wore floral swim trunks. The vacation photos underscored their relaxed and happy dynamic.
April 2026: Sheep Detectives premiere
On April 19, 2026, Jackman and Foster attended the New York premiere of The Sheep Detectives at Jazz at Lincoln Center. They smiled and laughed as they posed on the red carpet. Jackman wore a light blue suit, and Foster wore a sleeveless mid-length dress with reflective embellishments.
June 2026: Robin Hood premiere
On June 10, 2026, the couple attended the world premiere of The Death of Robin Hood in New York City. Jackman wore a charcoal suit over a black shirt, and Foster wore a navy dress with matching pumps and clutch. Their appearances continued to generate excitement among fans.
August 2026: Surprise duet
On August 6, 2026, Jackman joined Foster on stage at the Sun Valley Music Festival in Ketchum, Idaho. The couple performed 'A Million Dreams' from the 2017 musical film The Greatest Showman. The surprise duet delighted the audience and offered a full-circle moment for the pair, who had first connected through musical theatre. The performance became a symbol of their shared artistry and the enduring bond that began more than two decades earlier.
Source:MSN News