Hugh Jackman has sparked a wave of online criticism after being photographed showing his new girlfriend, Sutton Foster, around the Sydney penthouse he once shared with his former wife, Deborra-Lee Furness.
The couple arrived in Hugh’s native Australia on Tuesday. The actor, 58, reportedly took the 51-year-old theatre star to his $15 million North Bondi property, which he retained as part of his 2025 divorce settlement.
During their visit, the Wolverine star appeared eager to share the apartment’s spectacular coastal outlook, pointing out Bondi’s famous sights from the balcony as the pair enjoyed a romantic afternoon together.
Although Sutton seemed delighted by the view, the images prompted a strong reaction online, with some users accusing Hugh of being insensitive for bringing his new partner to the former marital home.
One critic wrote: ‘Gosh… going to the marital home… bit tacky, Hugh.’
Another responded: ‘The utter disrespect!’
Hugh Jackman has faced criticism after taking his new girlfriend Sutton Foster to the Sydney penthouse he once shared with Deborra-Lee Furness. The couple are pictured at the property on Tuesday.
The pair arrived in Australia on Tuesday, with Hugh taking Sutton to his $15 million North Bondi penthouse, which he retained in his 2025 divorce settlement. They are pictured stepping out at Bondi Beach on Wednesday.
Hugh appeared keen to show Sutton the penthouse’s sweeping seaside views, pointing out landmarks around Bondi from the balcony.
While Sutton looked pleased during the visit, some social media users objected to her being taken to the home Hugh once shared with his ex-wife.
One person claimed that bringing Sutton to the property was already hurtful to Deborra-Lee and said making sure the couple were photographed there made matters worse.
One commenter called the visit ‘tacky’, while another described it as ‘the utter disrespect’.
‘Holy s**t, a new low… Betrayal with a capital B, man,’ another user posted, while someone else wrote: ‘Bringing the mistress to the marital home. Zero class… What an ahole.’
A further critic described the decision as ‘disrespectful and disgusting’.
Another claimed Jackman ‘somehow manages to get worse every day’.
However, the backlash was not universal, with some users insisting the actor had every right to use the property.
They noted that Hugh retained the penthouse under the terms of his divorce and could therefore choose to spend time there with his new partner.
‘Grow up. The marriage ended, he retained the property,’ one person commented.
‘What was he supposed to do – turn his property into a shrine to his ex-wife?’ another asked.
‘He has moved on and found happiness with someone else – leave them alone!’
Some social media users criticised the actor’s decision as ‘tacky’.
Another user described the visit as ‘a new low’ in a post on X.
One critic accused Hugh of bringing his ‘mistress’ to the former marital home and called the move ‘zero class’.
Another user called the situation ‘disrespectful and disgusting’, while a further critic claimed Jackman ‘somehow manages to get worse every day’.
Others defended Hugh, pointing out that he retained the penthouse in the divorce settlement and was entitled to enjoy it with his new partner.
On Wednesday, Hugh and Sutton continued exploring the Wolverine star’s former neighbourhood with a romantic walk around Bondi Beach.
One commenter said they were unhappy with the way Hugh had treated Deborra-Lee, but did not believe taking Sutton to the penthouse was inherently wrong.
‘I don’t love how he treated his ex-wife but he retained the house as part of the divorce. I actually don’t see this as wrong, though if I were Sutton I wouldn’t be too comfortable there,’ they wrote.
Another appeared to sympathise with Sutton, saying: ‘I would feel like a guest in that home. Not like a companion.’
‘Under the divorce settlement, Hugh retained the penthouse in Australia; it’s his legal property now,’ another user noted.
‘Many people divorce after long marriages and move on with another partner. It’s sad for all family members involved, but it happens. Leave him alone.’
While in Sydney, Hugh and Sutton also spent time around Bondi Beach, one of the actor’s old neighbourhood haunts.
The pair appeared relaxed as they walked along the promenade, later heading to a gym for a morning workout.
Sutton opted for a coordinated brown jumper and trackpants, worn with a striped white-and-brown T-shirt and white socks.
The couple smiled as they walked along the promenade before making a later stop at a gym for a morning workout.
Sutton paired her brown jumper and matching trackpants with a striped white-and-brown top and white socks.
She wore her hair in two plaits and accessorised with a tote bag, sneakers and sunglasses.
After their gym session, the couple had breakfast at popular Bondi Beach restaurant Bills before browsing at Gertrude & Alice bookshop.
Hugh appeared cheerful as he looked through the crowded shelves at the well-known bookshop.
The pair went about their day as onlookers appeared unaware they were near Hollywood royalty.
Sutton completed her casual look with two plaits, a tote bag, sneakers and sunglasses.
Hugh kept things equally relaxed in a grey top, black jumper and grey shorts, finished with a straw hat.
Both carried water bottles, and they were occasionally seen holding hands as they talked.
Following their workout, Hugh and Sutton stopped for breakfast at the trendy Bondi Beach restaurant Bills before visiting Gertrude & Alice bookshop.
The casual Sydney outing comes as Hugh continues to divide his time between Australia and the United States, often making the most of the city’s iconic beach culture when he is home.
Hugh and Deborra-Lee, who married in 1996, announced their separation in 2023 after 27 years together.
He later began a relationship with Sutton in late 2024, after the pair had starred together in the 2021 Broadway revival of The Music Man.
