Hugh Jackman’s ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness cozying up to pal Robbie Williams in first appearance since confirming their split was over his rumored affair with Sutton Foster

Robbie Williams was a supportive shoulder to lean on for Deborra-Lee Furness on Wednesday night as she made a rare red carpet appearance for a screening of her friend’s biopic Better Man in New York City.

Deborra-Lee went make-up free for the event and posed for pictures at Metrograph with her pal Robbie, who looked dapper in a yellow jacket.

It marks the first appearance for Deborra-Lee after she appeared to confirm the real reason for her September 2023 legal separation from Hugh Jackman.

Earlier this week, her social media activity confirmed that the split was the result of Hugh’s rumored affair with his former Music Man leading lady, Sutton Foster.

The Australian 68-year-old’s private Instagram account ‘liked’ one October 26 video from gossip blogger Tasha Lustig, who claims he ‘ran off with the mistress’ and planned a ‘soft launch’ of their relationship – according to Us Weekly.

Believing the claim was Deborra-Lee’s friend Amanda de Cadenet, who commented on the same post: ‘You’re right on this one. My dear friend Deb is making her light up every minute fyi!’

Hugh and Sutton began workshopping Jerry Zaks’ Broadway revival of the 1957 musical in March 2020, before the musical finally arrived post-pandemic in February 2022, running for 11 months at the Winter Garden Theater in Manhattan.

According to insiders, their affair during the show was ‘Broadway’s worst kept secret’ and now it is claimed the ‘really happy’ couple are keen to get their relationship out in the open.

‘A lot of people on Broadway knew and we kept it quiet because they’re both such nice and amazing people. Everyone respected their privacy. But there was an affair and overlap. They’re really happy now,’ a source close to Foster shared Us Weekly.

They continued: ‘Hugh’s whole image is that he’s the nicest guy in Hollywood, so he doesn’t know what to do with this.’

And while a source told DailyMail.com on October 26 that Furness ‘had her suspicions when Hugh started working with Sutton’, an industry source claimed the opposite to Us Weekly.

“Deborra-Lee was stunned when she found out about the affair during the show,” the insider said.

‘Apparently it was Broadway’s worst-kept secret, and Deborra-Lee was the last to know. (even worse) he owned it!’

Hugh and Deborra, who are parents to son Oscar Maximilian Jackman, 24; and daughter Ava Eliot Jackman, 19, announced their split after 27 years in September 2023.

Deborra was at Wednesday’s show to support Robbie, who was all smiles as he added a white fishnet tank top under his eye-catching blazer on the red carpet.

The Let Me Entertain You hitmaker put on an animated display on stage before later posing for selfies with fans.

He later posed with Rufus Wainwright before kissing his cheek as the pair took to the stage together.

The first look at the biopic sees Robbie, played by actor Jonno Davies, through his life from school to stage, while his hit song, Let Me Entertain You, plays in the background.

In the voiceover he explains: ‘I know what you’re thinking. What’s up with the monkey?

‘I’m one of the biggest pop stars in the world. But I’ve always seen myself as a little less developed.’

While Jonno takes on the role of younger Robbie, the singer is heard in the voiceover and later plays the older version of himself.

From Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey, it also features Jake Simmance as Gary Barlow, Liam Head as Mark Owen, Jesse Hyde as Howard Donald and Chase Vollenweider as Jason Orange.

Sharing a first look at X, he captioned the video: ‘Based on a true story… ‘BETTER MAN’ – coming soon. Visit betterman.robbiewilliams.com/ for more info and global release dates.’

The official synopsis reads: ‘Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time.

‘Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (‘The Greatest Showman’), the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his characteristic wit and indomitable spirit.

‘It follows Robbie’s journey from childhood to being the youngest member of chart-topping boy band Take That, to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.’