Fans react strongly to Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster’s hand-in-hand Met Gala appearance

The Met Gala is built for dramatic entrances. Every year, stars arrive in standout outfits, bold jewelry, and carefully planned red carpet moments.

But sometimes, the biggest conversation is not about fashion. At the 2026 Met Gala, Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster turned heads by attending together, and their appearance quickly sparked mixed reactions online.

Jackman, 57, arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City with Foster, making the night feel like a major public step in their relationship. People reported that Foster wore a gold metallic one-shoulder gown with Fred Leighton jewelry, while Jackman wore a classic black tuxedo with a silver brooch.

A red carpet debut that quickly became a talking point

Jackman and Foster’s appearance stood out because it marked their first Met Gala appearance together as a couple. Vanity Fair described the moment as their Met Gala debut, noting that the Broadway stars walked the red carpet together after making their relationship public months earlier.

For some fans, the moment looked like a sweet date night between two performers with a long Broadway connection. Jackman and Foster previously starred together in The Music Man, and People reported that their relationship became public in January 2025.

But not everyone saw the moment that way. Several outlets reported that social media users criticized Jackman for attending the event with Foster after his split from Deborra-Lee Furness, with some calling the appearance “disrespectful” or insensitive.

Why Deborra-Lee Furness became part of the conversation

Jackman and Furness announced their separation in September 2023 after 27 years of marriage. In their joint statement, they said their family would remain their highest priority and asked for privacy as they moved into the next chapter of their lives.

That long history is one reason the Met Gala appearance drew such a strong response. Many fans remembered Jackman and Furness as one of Hollywood’s most familiar long-term couples, so seeing him walk one of fashion’s biggest carpets with someone new felt jarring to some viewers.

The criticism does not mean every fan reacted negatively. Some people defended Jackman and Foster, pointing out that both are adults and that Jackman and Furness had already announced their separation years earlier.

The fashion moment still mattered

Even with the online debate, the pair’s fashion choices were part of the story. Foster’s gold gown gave the appearance a classic red carpet feel, while Jackman kept his look polished and traditional in black formalwear.

The 2026 Met Gala theme was ‘Costume Art,’ with the dress code ‘Fashion Is Art. The event was held on May 4, 2026, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Jackman’s look also drew attention for its jewelry detail. Veranda reported that he wore a 1950s all-diamond brooch, while Foster wore vintage Fred Leighton jewelry.

The Bigger Picture

The moment says as much about celebrity culture as it does about Jackman and Foster. Fans often form emotional connections to celebrity marriages, and those feelings can linger long after a couple separates.

Jackman and Furness asked for privacy when they announced their split in 2023, but public interest has remained strong. That is common when a marriage has lasted nearly three decades and involved two well-known public figures.

Little-known fact: The Broadway revival of “The Music Man” starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster opened in 2022 after pandemic delays and ran through 2023.

Jackman seeks peace

Hugh Jackman is reportedly trying to ease tensions with ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness after their split. A source told Radar Online he is “ready to take total responsibility” for his role in the breakup. The source added he “never intended to hurt Deb.”

The same report says Jackman feels bad about how strained things have become. The insider claimed he wants to reduce conflict rather than keep fighting. No on-the-record comment from either party was included in the report.

Deborra-Lee Furness is the one who filed for divorce

Deborra-Lee Furness filed for divorce in May 2025. “My heart and compassion go out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,” she said.

The former couple shares an adopted daughter, Ava, who turns 21 in July, according to the report. The source said Jackman wants the family to mark the birthday together. The insider said that is why he is pushing to meet with Furness and “hash things out.”

Radar Online’s source claimed Jackman wants Furness to feel heard. The insider added he hopes she can “own her part” as well. The source also said he is willing to take most of the blame if it brings peace.

Fun fact: The Met Gala began in 1948 as a midnight supper and has evolved into a major benefit event over the decades.

TL;DR

• Hugh Jackman’s Met Gala appearance with Sutton Foster sparked online backlash that framed the moment as disrespectful to ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness.
• The criticism spread quickly because the Met Gala turns small gestures into widely shared symbols.
• Jackman and Furness announced their separation in 2023 and share two children, but many circulating timeline claims are not fully documented publicly.
• Fans often “pick sides” in long-marriage splits due to parasocial attachment and simplified internet storytelling.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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