Nicole Kidman, serving as a co-chair of the 2026 Met Gala, made headlines not for her fashion choices, but for her social maneuvering. According to insiders, the actress deliberately avoided interacting with Hugh Jackman and his current partner, Sutton Foster, throughout the event. This conspicuous silence is widely interpreted as a gesture of loyalty to Jackman’s ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness.
The Politics of Loyalty
Sources speaking to Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice Substack suggest that Kidman’s behavior was a calculated move to support Furness, who remains a close friend. The consensus among those close to the group is that Kidman refuses to engage in “performative harmony” with Jackman while his marriage to Furness is still legally intact.
“Nicole is firmly Team Deb. She believes Deb was deeply hurt by how everything unfolded, and Nicole isn’t interested in pretending otherwise just because Hugh showed up with a new woman on his arm,” one insider stated.
The tension stems from the public perception of how Jackman and Furness’s 27-year marriage ended. Furness’s public comments regarding the “betrayal” she felt have resonated strongly in Hollywood circles, leading many mutual acquaintances to side with her. Kidman, described as “incredibly protective,” chose not to participate in what insiders called “happy families for the cameras,” prioritizing her friend’s emotional reality over social convenience.
Context: A Complicated Split
To understand the weight of Kidman’s avoidance, it is necessary to look at the timeline of Jackman and Furness’s separation. The couple, who married in 1996 after meeting on the television series Correlli, adopted two children, Oscar and Ava, before separating in September 2023.
Despite the separation, the couple has not yet filed for divorce. Reports indicate this delay is due to the absence of a prenuptial agreement, making the finalization of their split a complex legal and financial process. Meanwhile, speculation has long surrounded Jackman’s relationship with Sutton Foster, which allegedly began as an affair in 2022. A November 2024 report in Us Weekly suggested that this alleged affair was a primary catalyst for the dissolution of Jackman’s marriage.
Why This Matters
This incident highlights the intricate social codes that govern high-profile celebrity circles. In an era where relationships are often played out in the media, personal loyalty can become a public performance. Kidman’s decision to distance herself from Jackman at a high-stakes event like the Met Gala signals that despite their shared history and professional ties, personal alliances remain rigid.
It raises questions about how celebrities navigate the gray area between separation and divorce, particularly when new relationships enter the picture while legal ties remain. For Kidman, the choice was clear: maintain social grace with Jackman, or stand by Furness. She chose the latter, reinforcing her reputation as a steadfast friend in a industry often criticized for its fickleness.
**In summary, Nicole Kidman’s avoidance of Hugh Jackman at the 2026 Met Gala was not an act of petty drama, but
