Photo Credit: Getty Images
Broadway veteran Sutton Foster made her first public appearance on June 1 at the 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards, days after Deborra-Lee Furness released a searing statement that reignited rumors surrounding Hugh Jackman's alleged affair. Though nominated for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Foster avoided all press inquiries and left swiftly after posing for red carpet photos.
The appearance came amid swirling media attention tied to Jackman's divorce from Furness. The former couple had announced their separation two years prior, but the official divorce filing came just last week. In a statement to Daily Mail, Furness, 69, spoke candidly about betrayal. "My heart and compassion go out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal," she wrote. Without naming names, she made clear the pain of losing a 27-year marriage, adding, "It's a profound wound that cuts deep."
Furness' message was widely interpreted as a direct reference to Jackman's rumored relationship with Foster, now 50, who starred alongside him in The Music Man revival. Sources close to the couple told New Idea that Foster has been gradually moving into Jackman's Manhattan penthouse—the same home he purchased with Furness in 2022. "Deb is shattered," one insider said. "That place meant everything to her."
Despite the heavy context, Foster appeared composed at the NYU Skirball Center. She walked the carpet alone, smiling for cameras but remained closely guarded by her publicist. According to Daily Mail, she declined to take questions and left before the show concluded. Photos captured her chatting briefly with fellow actor Michael Urie before making a discreet exit.
The night was filled with stars—Nicole Scherzinger, Debra Messing, and Sarah Hyland all stopped to speak with press. Foster's absence from media interaction stood out, especially given the significance of her nomination. One observer described it as "a performance of silence."
Meanwhile, Jackman has yet to issue a public response to his ex-wife's remarks. A longtime friend of the actor told People magazine that "this has been a deeply painful and complicated process" for both parties, adding that "the fallout is still unfolding behind closed doors."
In choosing presence without comment, Foster walked a fine line—one that allowed her to acknowledge her professional recognition without inflaming an already volatile personal narrative. While the applause echoed inside the theater, the true drama was unfolding offstage.
