Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster Are ‘Happier Than Ever’: What We Know About ‘Joyful’ Relationship (Exclusive)

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster are enjoying the next chapter of their life together.

Sources confirmed to Us Weekly in this week’s cover story that Jackman, 56, and Foster, 49, are in a relationship. Now, an insider is shedding light on what their “lighthearted” and “joyful” romance entails.

Per the source, Jackman and Foster enjoy having cozy dinners in New York restaurants, taking walks through Central Park and supporting each other with their careers and various projects.

“They’re happier than ever,” the insider told Us, adding that they both understand the demands of the industry.

Jackman, for his part, admires Foster’s “immense talent, infectious positivity and grounded nature,” while she is drawn to his “kindness, professionalism and ability to make others feel valued.”

The source added that Jackman and Foster’s connection is a “wonderful next chapter” for the pair, noting that the twosome are opting to keep their relationship low-key so their romance can “grow naturally” away from the public.

Their romance is “a balance of playfulness and genuine admiration” says the source, who adds that both respect each other’s talents and passions.

Rumors of Jackman and Foster’s relationship began swirling when gossip blogger Tasha Lustig alleged on her Instagram that he “blindsided” his ex-wife, Deborra-lee Furness by “running off with the mistress.”

Furness, for her part, “liked” the post from her private account, while her close friend Amanda de Cadenet wrote: “You are on point with this one. My beloved friend Deb is about to have her glow up any moment fyi!”

In the latest issue of Us, sources confirmed that Music Man costars Jackman and Foster’s relationship turned romantic during the Broadway show’s 11-month run — and while they were married to other people. (Jackman and Furness announced their split in 2023, while Foster filed for divorce from Ted Griffin in October.)

“Sutton and Hugh’s relationship is the reason Hugh and Deb got divorced,” a Foster source said. “A lot of people on Broadway knew, and we kept it quiet because both of them are so nice and great people. Everyone respected their privacy. But there was an affair and overlap.”

Us learned that Jackman “didn’t own up” to the affair. “Deborra-lee was blindsided when she found out about the affair through the run of the show,” an industry source said. “It was apparently Broadway’s worst-kept secret, and Deborra-lee was the last to know.”

While Jackman and Foster navigate their relationship, a source from the theater world told Us that they don’t live together because of their kids. (Jackman and Furness adopted son Oscar, 24, in 2000 and daughter Ava, 19, in 2005 while Foster and Griffin are parents to Emily, 7, who they adopted in 2017.)

“But Sutton has told people on Broadway about the relationship,” the insider said. “Everyone [there] has known about this for a long time.”