Hugh Jackman found himself at the centre of a social media storm this week after publicly supporting his new girlfriend, Sutton Foster, on Instagram. The Australian actor's heartfelt post about Foster's Christmas concert performance drew a sharp backlash from followers who remain loyal to his former wife.
Mixed Reactions to a New Romance
The 57-year-old actor took to Instagram on Wednesday to share both a photograph and video reel celebrating Sutton Foster's recent performance at New York's Café Carlyle. Jackman described the evening as "an iconic NYC night" and called the experience "truly magical" in his caption.
However, the romantic gesture quickly attracted criticism from fans who haven't moved past the actor's separation from Deborra-Lee Furness last year. Multiple commenters directly compared his praise for Foster to the admiration he previously showed his ex-wife of 27 years.
Divided Fanbase Speaks Out
The comment section beneath Jackman's post became a battleground between disappointed followers and supporters of his new relationship. Several users expressed their disapproval with comments ranging from "I lost all my respect for you" to "We used to think you were cool. What a disappointment."
Many commenters simply wrote "Team Deb," indicating where their loyalties remain. One particularly pointed remark noted that Jackman's praise for Foster was "reminiscent of the praise you always heaped on Deb."
Despite the negative feedback, an overwhelming number of supporters defended the couple, urging critics to respect their privacy. "These comments. Yikes. Couples break up and people move on," one person wrote, while another added: "Oh leave the man alone. It wasn't your marriage and it's not your relationship now."
A Growing Public Relationship
This Instagram post effectively marks Jackman going Instagram-official with the Tony Award-winning actress. The couple made their first red carpet appearance together just last month at the premiere of Jackman's film 'Song Song Blue' during AFI Fest in Los Angeles.
The October 26 event saw the pair looking very much in love, with their arms wrapped around each other as they posed for photographers. Jackman suited up for the occasion while Foster wowed in a low-cut black satin dress, signalling their comfort as a public couple following his divorce from Furness.
This public display of affection comes just over a year after Jackman's separation from Deborra-Lee Furness was announced in 2023, ending their nearly three-decade-long marriage.
