Hugh Jackman and his girlfriend Sutton Foster made a glamorous appearance at the Met Gala on Monday, but their red carpet romance reportedly inflicted significant emotional pain on Jackman's ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness.
Furness heartbroken over Jackman's new romance at Met Gala
An insider told New Idea that Furness, 70, had been warned in advance that the couple would attend the prestigious New York fundraiser together, but seeing them still felt like a cruel blow. "Deb had been warned Hugh would be appearing with Sutton but it still felt like a knife to the heart seeing them there," the source revealed. "This was her and Hugh's 'big night out' for the year and they were there side-by-side, just like Sutton is today, just four years ago."
Furness is said to have attended the Met Gala up to six times with Jackman, making it one of her favourite social events. Following their split in September 2023, the couple allegedly agreed to alternate years attending the gala to avoid awkward encounters. However, Jackman's decision to bring Foster has now tainted those memories. "They were regulars at the Met Gala and it was one of her favourite nights out. In fact, when they split they agreed to 'split custody' of the Met Gala and go on alternate years, but that was before anyone knew about Sutton," the source added.
Jackman and Foster's relationship timeline
Jackman, 57, and Foster, 51, were first publicly linked in January 2025, though they had been close friends and Broadway co-stars for years prior. They made their red carpet debut at the Los Angeles premiere of Jackman's film Song Sung Blue in October 2025. Speculation that they may have attended the 2025 Met Gala together reportedly deterred Furness from attending that year. "Last year when it looked like Hugh wanted to take Sutton, Deb indicated she might be going but simply couldn't face it in the end," the insider said. "There were rumours she did it just to block Hugh and Sutton but it's not true. There was just too many painful memories."
Jackman and Furness's divorce was finalised in June 2025, while Foster's divorce from screenwriter Ted Griffin is still pending after she filed in October 2024. The couple are reportedly waiting for Foster's divorce to be finalised before announcing marriage plans, though a diamond ring spotted on Foster's finger at the gala has fuelled speculation. "Part of her (Furness) hoped he might have gone solo again, so it adds an extra layer of hurt that Hugh's so willing to pave over their historic nights out with new memories," the source said. "Deb is doing well moving on from what was a deeply hurtful betrayal, but seeing Sutton smiling on the arm of Hugh hurts."
