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Deborra-Lee Furness may have finally filed for divorce from Hugh Jackman after reaching a settlement privately, but that doesn’t mean things are getting wrapped up in a bow. If anything they’ve gotten more “complicated” since their breakup!
As you likely know, the longtime couple announced their separation in 2023. They claimed it was totally amicable, but then reports surfaced that Hugh was already dating his Broadway co-star Sutton Foster. Then the question of timeline was raised — and Deborra-Lee seemingly confirmed he’d cheated on her! Talk about messy!
Late last week, Deb filed divorce docs, which seemed to signal the end of the saga… But is it only just heating up?
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As we reported, the producer released a scathing statement earlier this week, along with news of her legal filing. She all but confirmed the cheating allegations by noting she has been navigating the “traumatic journey of betrayal” these last few years. Like, daaaaaamn, that wasn’t subtle at all! And Hugh knows it!
Sources already claimed he was fuming over the comment, and even his childhood best friend revealed he was upset. Now, another confidant for Us Weekly on Friday insists this is the tip of the iceberg. The insider said the The Greatest Showman star is “heartbroken” by his ex’s diss:
“Her statement took Hugh and mutual friends by surprise because she wasn’t very direct with who she was speaking about but was alluding to Hugh, and that added emotional weight to it.”
That said, Hugh plans to take the high road and doesn’t intend to clap back. The source, on the other hand, wasn’t afraid to spill the tea!
Getting real about what’s going on between the two, the insider said the current dynamic is “not ugly but is strained” — and it’s “getting more complicated.” Huh. How so? The source says the issue is they “see things differently in terms of how things came to an end for them.” Oh, we’re sure they do…
As Perezcious readers know, reports have claimed Hugh and Sutton started seeing one another before he called things off with the Australian actress (Sutton was still married too, she didn’t file for divorce until last year). Apparently, their love connection was the worst-kept secret in the theatre community, starting some time after they started The Music Man in 2021.
Even the Deadpool & Wolverine alum’s friends are said to have kept the romance from Deb. (Friends like Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds!) His camp has maintained he did nothing wrong — but frankly, why should Deborra-Lee believe Hugh when he says he’s innocent anyway?? It’s not often a cheating husband just owns up to it! Certainly not when he’s trying to uphold a reputation as such a nice guy!
Besides, what’s his story anyway? That he split up with his wife of 27 years because it just wasn’t working out and then just happened to fall in love with the woman he’d been sharing onstage kisses with for the past year-plus?? Well… it’s not far off, actually!
The insider says Hugh and Deborra-Lee were already “separated” when he moved on with the Younger lead. They say the former husband and wife “had problems for a while.” But she wanted to make it work — and thought there was still a chance for reconciliation. So when he moved on instead, that’s why the 69-year-old feels so betrayed. In her mind, it wasn’t over over yet. The source said:
“Deborra-Lee sees it differently because, even though they were separated, she may have hoped they would get back together.”
Hmm. We’re going to need to see some dates on that separation before we even think about buying this version. Because Hugh and Sutton have been into one another a long time! Also, how separated were they? Did they have an understanding not to start emotional affairs? Breakups are complicated, but they get simpler and simpler the more questions get answered with real honesty.
Despite the rocky dynamic right now, Hugh, who shares two adopted adult children with Deb, is hopeful things can get better in time, the source expressed:
“Hugh loves and respects Deborra-Lee. He will always love her and won’t allow it to get ugly. [Hugh is] hopeful in time they will heal and … be friends and resolve any misunderstandings.”
Hah. “Misunderstandings.” They make it sound like such a minor issue! Thoughts?? Sound OFF (below)!
[Image via MEGA/WENN]
