Latest news with #LesMisérables
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Fan of Les Miserables, 95 billion dollar empire': 10 interesting things about Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iran 'SMASHES' Israeli Military's Intel Office In Tel Aviv; Big Attack After Beersheba Strikes As Iran battles a waves of Israeli airstrikes targeting its nuclear infrastructure and military leadership, one man remains at the centre of the unfolding crisis: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. At 86, he has outlasted presidents, weathered international sanctions, and crushed domestic uprisings. Now, with his regime's regional proxy network weakened and his own survival reportedly under threat, Khamenei faces the most serious challenge of his long reign. Rarely seen in public and yet ever present in Iran's decision-making, Khamenei exerts unmatched authority across all branches of the state. He commands the military, directs foreign policy, shapes the nuclear programme, and controls vast economic assets. To supporters, he is the embodiment of revolutionary resolve; to critics, the architect of repression and confrontation. From secret bunkers to literary praise for Les Misérables, Khamenei remains a deeply enigmatic figure. Here are ten interesting facts about Iran's most influential man: From prisoner to president Born in 1939, Khamenei was repeatedly jailed under the US-backed Shah for his political activism. A close ally of Ruhollah Khomeini, he rose through the clerical ranks during the revolution and became Iran's president in the 1980s. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo When Khomeini died in 1989, Khamenei though lacking the senior religious credentials expected for the role, was elevated to Supreme Leader. His presidency and wartime leadership had earned him enough support among key factions to secure the top post. The real power behind the presidency Although Iranian presidents often dominate headlines particularly firebrands like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad it is Khamenei who ultimately decides policy. He holds the final say over the military, judiciary, foreign relations, and even who can run for office. Presidents may act as public faces, but no major decision proceeds without the Supreme Leader's approval. Western leaders, including Trump and Bush, have misjudged the power dynamics in Iran by focusing too heavily on elected figures. Architect of Iran's 'axis of resistance' Khamenei has long positioned Iran as a regional counterweight to US, Israeli, and Saudi influence. He helped build and maintain a vast network of proxy forces across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hamas in Gaza. Known as the 'Axis of Resistance,' this coalition allowed Iran to exert influence without direct confrontation. But recent Israeli military actions have badly damaged this network, especially in Syria and Gaza. Relentless against domestic dissent Internally, Khamenei has responded harshly to political opposition and protest movements. From the reformist wave of the late 1990s to the 2009 Green Movement and the 2022 protests over Mahsa Amini's death, his security apparatus particularly the Revolutionary Guard has cracked down ruthlessly. Mass arrests, killings, and alleged torture have been reported, with each wave of dissent testing but not breaking his grip on power. Supreme religious power with political priorities While officially the highest clerical authority in Iran, Khamenei lacks the religious gravitas of his predecessor, Khomeini. Many Shiites in Iran and abroad turn instead to Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in Iraq. Yet, Khamenei has compensated by transforming the Supreme Leader's office into a powerful political hub, centralising control over Iran's fragmented system and ensuring that all levers of power answer to him. A hidden billion-dollar empire According to a Reuters investigation, Khamenei controls a vast economic empire worth an estimated $95 billion through an organisation called Setad. Though there is no evidence he enriches himself personally, Setad consolidates wealth and influence for the regime, managing assets across oil, telecoms, finance, and even ostrich farming. It has also been accused of seizing properties from religious minorities and exiles under dubious legal claims. The Revolutionary Guard: His private army Under Khamenei's leadership, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has become Iran's most powerful institution. Tasked with defending the Islamic system, the IRGC controls Iran's missile and drone programmes and has deep economic interests. The Quds Force, its external wing, manages Iran's regional operations. In return for loyalty, Khamenei has allowed the Guard significant autonomy and influence in both business and politics. A cautious but calculated leader Though he often uses fiery rhetoric, Khamenei is seen by analysts as more pragmatic than many of Iran's presidents. He has oscillated between engaging with the West and pushing hardline resistance. In 2003, he issued a fatwa declaring nuclear weapons un-Islamic, but he still backs Iran's enrichment programme. His decisions are often guided by a cold calculation of what best preserves the regime and his position atop it. Rare public appearances, constant control Khamenei is reclusive, with carefully managed public appearances and tightly guarded movements. His personal security is handled by a special IRGC unit. During recent Israeli strikes on Tehran, reports claimed he was moved to a secret bunker to remain in contact with military leadership. Despite his physical absence from the frontline, his role as Iran's supreme commander remains undiminished. Cultural interests amid geopolitical turmoil Despite his hardline politics and reclusive persona, Ayatollah Khamenei has often spoken about the power of literature particularly Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. He once said: 'Les Misérables is miraculous among all other novels. I have recommended all young individuals repeatedly to read the novel. Les Misérables is in a way a sociological work of art: it's a record of history. It's a significant book: a book about divinity, kindness, compassion, and love. '
Time Out
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Gerónimo Rauch, the Argentine who conquered Europe and returns home with ‘Cinema All In'
Known as 'the Argentine who made it big in European musicals,' he has starred in none other than Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Physician, earning applause and admiration wherever he goes. Yes, Gerónimo Rauch is synonymous with musical theater, but he has also become Argentina's very own 'crooner'—in the style of Frank Sinatra or Michael Bublé—who captivates audiences on stage by performing songs from every genre with undeniable talent, charisma, and versatility. He always celebrates the chance to return home, and this time he arrives at Espacio Origami to present Cinema All In, an intimate dinner show that pays tribute to the greatest songs from the silver screen. It's a 360-degree immersive experience featuring 25 performers on stage including musicians, dancers, and singers. The powerful musical menu is accompanied by top-tier cuisine, promising a one-of-a-kind evening of music perfectly paired with an exclusive dinner. The setlist? Songs from films such as The Godfather, Footloose, La La Land, A Star Is Born, Rocky, and Singin' in the Rain, among many other iconic movie soundtrack classics. You might also like: The best musicals currently playing in Buenos Aires Looking back on his childhood, Rauch describes it as 'wonderful, full of music and fond memories,' although his decision to become an artist came later—he never imagined himself in the place he occupies today. At 17, he had the opportunity to record songs for the TV show Verano del 98 and, thrilled, stepped into a professional recording studio for the first time. But when asked about his big break, he's quick to clarify: 'It came in 2000, when after several rounds of auditions, I was chosen to be part of Les Misérables.' 'My big break came in 2000, when I was cast in Les Misérables ' His debut at Teatro Ópera with that production, he says, 'was the greatest gift.' From there, dreams slowly started to come true—step by step, but steadily—until he became the lead in some of the most acclaimed musicals in Spain and London. In Buenos Aires, he has already performed three times at the Teatro Colón and hopes there will be many more. 'It's such a powerful experience to step onto that stage,' he confesses, 'I'll always keep preparing for the next opportunity.' You're known as the Argentine who conquered the European musical theater scene. Was it a tough road? Thanks for the compliment! I think every artist's path is difficult because of the instability that comes with this profession. But every character I've played has taught me something—I've always kept evolving and growing. Today, after all I've experienced, my life in Spain is very peaceful: I work and I'm also a father. I can honestly say I live a simple, happy life. You've played Jesus Christ, Jean Valjean, the Phantom, and the Doctor in The Physician. All very different characters—how do you approach each role? Whenever I start shaping a character, I try to be a blank slate and fully trust the creative team's direction. Often, I'll do some background research if there's an original novel—which is usually the case—but then I just let myself play until I find the character's truth within me. You've also developed a musical career in parallel, with albums and live performances. What kind of repertoire do you enjoy most and why? I enjoy it all. I love telling other people's stories in musicals just as much as I love sharing my own in concerts. At the end of the day, it's all about creating emotion—that's the magic of our profession. 'Our profession is all about creating emotions' Do you prefer acting, singing, or dancing? Unfortunately, I can't dance at all—which is why I chose the best dancers and choreographers for Cinema All In! I think singing and acting are the best ways for me to express myself. What can audiences expect from the show you're bringing to Buenos Aires? It's the most incredible show I've ever produced in my solo career. There's definitely a before and after for me with this concept, which combines performance, music, gourmet dining, emotions, 25 artists on stage, and a soundtrack that everyone knows and loves—the music that has scored our lives. ' Cinema All In is the most incredible show I've ever produced in my solo career' What do you love most about coming back to Argentina? The people. Argentina is so special—our DNA is unique. We're passionate, generous, we live everything intensely, and as an artist, that's something to be deeply grateful for. BUENOS AIRES PING PONG A restaurant: Río Alba A musical: Les Misérables A play: The Road to Mecca A childhood dish: Ñoquis del 29 A neighborhood: Palermo A night out with friends: Dinner at Río Alba A tip for tourists: Visit San Telmo and La Boca When and where: June 26, 27, and 28; July 3, 4, and 5 at Espacio Origami, Guiraldes 7350, Costanera Norte. Tickets: Link here.
Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Who is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran?
Israel Katz, the Israeli Defence Minister, on Thursday said that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 'can no longer be allowed to exist.' This is the clearest declaration yet of what Israel — and the US — have both hinted at in recent days: that taking out Khamenei, now 85 and reportedly ailing, is one of their ultimate war goals. In an interview to ABC News on Monday, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that striking Khamenei would not escalate the conflict, but 'end it.' A day later, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he knew exactly where Khamenei was hiding, warning 'we are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now… (but) our patience is growing thin.' Khamenei, on his part, has refused to bow down to external pressure. 'Intelligent people who know Iran, the nation and the history of Iran, will never speak to this nation in the language of threats,' he said, 'because the Iranian nation cannot be surrendered.' Here's a look at the man, his politics, and the nation that he has led for the past three-and-a-half decades. First, what power does the Supreme Leader have in Iran? In Iran's theocratic system, the Supreme Leader is the most powerful figure in the country ranking above the president, parliament, and judiciary. Khamenei commands the armed forces, appoints heads of the judiciary, state media, and key security agencies, and holds the power to dismiss elected officials, countermand legislation, and declare war or peace. His control also extends to foreign and military policy through his oversight of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Force (IRGC) and the Quds Force, which orchestrates Iran's regional operations. His position is established on the doctrine of velayat-e faqih, or 'guardianship of the jurist', which gives a cleric ultimate sovereignty over an Islamic state. The ideology was developed by his predecessor Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and enshrined in the constitution of 1979. Ali Khamenei was born in 1939, in the northern Iranian city of Mashhad. He was the second of eight children in a modest family headed by his father, a religious cleric. Khamenei followed his father's footsteps, pursuing clerical studies in Qom from 1958 to 1964, before joining Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's movement against the Shah of Iran in 1962. After being imprisoned multiple times by the Shah's regime, Khamenei emerged as a key figure in the 1979 revolution. He served as president from 1981 to 1989, steering Iran through the Iran-Iraq War, before succeeding Khomeini as Supreme Leader. Khamenei's early years reveal a man of eclectic tastes. He engaged with Iranian intellectuals, absorbing both secular and Islamist ideas. A lover of literature, he has lauded Victor Hugo's Les Misérables as 'the best novel that has been written in history,' telling state television officials in 2004, 'Go read Les Misérables once. This… is a miracle in the world of novel writing.' What does Khaminei believe in? Khamenei views liberal democracy and capitalism as flawed, and sees the West as materialistic and Islamophobic. Yet, he is not wholly anti-Western. 'Western culture is a combination of beautiful and ugly things,' he told a group of young Iranians in 1999. 'A sensible nation… will take the good and add it to their own culture… and reject the bad.' His fundamental critique of western civilisation is that it is overly materialistic. 'The West looks at only one dimension — the material,' he said in a meeting on development. In contrast, Islamic civilisation includes justice, prayer, independence, and 'approaching the exalted God.' His ideal, thus, is not simply a strong Iran, but a spiritually superior one. Khamenei's influences include Islamist thinkers like the Egyptian Islamic theorist Sayyid Qutb, who wrote 'Islam without government and a Muslim nation without Islam are meaningless' and, of course, Ayatollah Khomeini, the fountainhead of the Islamic Revolution. And like Khomeini, who referred to the US as 'Great Satan' and Israel as 'Little Satan', Khamenei is known for his unabated hostility towards these two countries. After a Florida pastor threatened to burn the Quran in 2010, Khamenei insinuated there was a larger plot at play. 'The operational command of these acts are in the hands of the system of hegemony and Zionist planning centres,' he said at the time. What has Khamenei done? Iranian analyst Mohsen Milani wrote in the Foreign Affairs magazine: 'Khamenei has made it his mission to preserve the revolutionary identity of the state, particularly that it remains devoted to Islamic principles and opposed to the West.' Under Khamenei, Iran has become a regional power through asymmetric means. The Islamic Republic has funded, trained, and armed a network of proxies from Lebanon to Yemen, enabling Tehran to confront its enemies in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, without risking direct war. Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and various militias in Iraq and Syria have all been recipients of Iranian support. Khamenei has also reshaped Iran's economy through what he calls the 'resistance' doctrine, a strategy aimed at making the country less vulnerable to international sanctions. This includes reducing reliance on oil, expanding trade with China and Russia, and cutting state subsidies. The efficacy of this doctrine is another matter altogether — the Iranian economy still leans heavily on oil, and subsidy cuts have sparked protests across the country. Khamenei sees nuclear science as a marker of national pride and progress. For Khamenei, Iran's right to enrich uranium is about not just energy but sovereignty. He has however claimed that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons and he permitted negotiations over the 2015 nuclear deal before criticising the US for pulling out. At home, Khamenei has orchestrated a political system designed to preserve his rule. He has stacked every avenue of government with loyalists making it difficult for moderates or reformists to gain influence. He has proven ruthless in suppressing dissent, as was evident in 2023 during the Mahsa Amini protests, or in 2009 during what came to be known as the Green Movement. What comes next? Khamenei is an 85-year-old cancer survivor. But despite years of speculation, he has not publicly named a successor. Officially, the Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 clerics vetted by the regime, will choose the next Supreme Leader once the office is vacant. But the process is secretive and tightly controlled. Akbar Ganji wrote in Foreign Affairs that most contenders have already been sidelined, and Khamenei's 56-year-old son, Mojtaba, is a frontrunner. According to Ganji, 'the elder Khamenei's allies have been touting Mojtaba as the leader the country needs,' praising his juristic credentials. Once dismissive of dynastic succession, mocking it in 1990 as akin to passing a 'a man passing a copper wash basin to his heir,' Khamenei now appears to favour Mojtaba's rise. But factional rivalries and public unrest could disrupt this plan — especially if Khamenei goes on the back of Israeli or American intervention. While the Islamic regime in Iran has been remarkably resilient, it is yet to be seen whether it can survive its latest, arguably greatest ever, challenge.
Sydney Morning Herald
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
How Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster became the new ‘Bennifer'
'We got the two-shot, the shot that everyone kind of was waiting for,' said Parshotam, whose Jackman-Foster images published everywhere from American and British tabloids to the covers of Australian newspapers. 'That January made my year,' he added. 'Not just financially, but more as a scoop.' Indeed, the news that Jackman, 56, and Foster, 50, were official lit up theatre group chats, Reddit gossip threads and social media comments across the globe, not to mention a slew of publications that now track their every move. Five months later, the two still have not said a word publicly about their courtship. But their very existence as a couple seems to have hit enough cultural nodes to vault them to near-Bennifer 2.0 status: Hollywood but also Broadway, blockbusters but also niche streaming faves, Australian celebrities, regular celebrities, co-stars falling in love, dating in your 50s, divorcing in your 50s and - perhaps most important – a hint of possible scandal. The story picked up more steam last month when Furness, 69, confirmed to the Daily Mail that she has now officially filed for divorce from Jackman. She also sent a lengthy and vague-yet-pointed statement, allowing readers to do their own maths. 'My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal. It's a profound wound that cuts deep,' Furness told the publication. 'However I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us. This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage. I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience.' Loading Representatives for Jackman, Foster and Furness did not respond to requests for comment for this story. It's an unusually messy situation for twocharming entertainers who have spent years accumulating goodwill, moving seamlessly from musical theatre to film and TV and back again. Jackman was an Academy Award nominee for Les Misérables (he's got all but the 'O' in EGOT - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards) and is the rare Marvel action hero who can sing and dance. Foster has been nominated for five other Tonys in addition to those two wins and earned a following among young fans for her work in TV. But in the game of fame, critical success can't hold a candle to a juicy real-life love story. Loading 'People are fascinated by Hugh Jackman as an actor, but his love life has always been an even bigger obsession,' said Dax Holt, a former TMZ on-air personality. Holt, who now co-hosts the Hollywood Raw podcast where Parshotam first shared his story of cracking the 'JackFost' case, noted the endless curiosity about Jackman and Furness's marriage: their age gap, the long-running speculation about Jackman's sexuality – and now intrigue about the estrangement timeline. 'Deborra alluding to him being a cheater has poured more gas on the fire,' Holt said. 'I'm not going to lie, it's been an entertaining topic to cover on the podcast.' Part of the excitement is that Jackman and Foster have joined a storied tradition of co-stars who wind up dating. Anika Chapin, a musical theatre dramaturge and writer, recalled seeing an Instagram post shortly after news of the new couple broke. 'I didn't realise this happened in theatre,' one commenter replied. 'I was like, 'Well, of course it happens in theatre',' Chapin said. In film and television, you shoot a romantic scene a handful of times, she noted, while in theatre, you fall in love onstage eight times a week and spend hours together backstage. 'It's so much more of a concentrated experience that it feels like even more of a breeding ground for potential romantic entanglements.' Ben Rimalower, a theatre writer, performer and director, said the rumours about Jackman and Foster were so persistent in Broadway circles – a community drawn to drama both onstage and behind-the-scenes – that the most surprising part about the relationship confirmation was that they were still together. But since Foster in particular is beloved in the theatre world, there seemed to be 'a widespread desire' to let her handle whatever was going on at her own discretion, he said. However, after the news of her marriage ending not long after Jackman's, the chatter increased to a level that couldn't be contained to Midtown Manhattan. 'Even though they are obviously theatre stars, and that's where their careers began, they are both clearly famous at the level where they crossed over,' Rimalower said, adding, 'It's just a really far reach that makes them a lot more interesting to people than the average Broadway couple.' Decades before The Music Man brought them together, Jackman and Foster shared the kind of big-break origin story that theatre kids swoon for. Jackman landed his role as Wolverine in Marvel's 2000 blockbuster X-Men when Dougray Scott, a bigger name at the time, had to drop out due to Mission: Impossible 2 commitments. Foster was hired to understudy Millie Dillmount during Thoroughly Modern Millie 's slow path to Broadway in 2002, but took over the role when the original lead actress fell out with producers days before its out-of-town opening. Jackman emerged as the breakout star of the X-Men ensemble, while Foster won her first Tony. Jackman met Furness five years before X-Men on the Australian TV crime drama Correlli, they wed the following year when he was 27 and she was 40. They later adopted a son and a daughter and were often praised for their public devotion to one another. But as Jackman continued to star in musicals between hit movies, speculation about his sexuality was rampant. In a 60 Minutes Australia interview in 2013, he and Furness expressed irritation about rumours that he was clandestinely gay. 'If I was, I would be,' Jackman told the reporter. ' … But I do get frustrated for Deb, cause I see Deb go, 'Ah, this is just crazy'.' As Foster went on to success in Broadway shows and basic-cable series – ABC Family's Bunheads and TVLand's Younger – she married her Millie co-star Christian Borle, also now a two-time Tony winner, in 2006. They, too, were an object of sotto voce speculation in theatre circles, which Foster addressed in her 2021 memoir Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life – describing how upset she was by tabloid reports of supposed cheating when in fact she and Borle had quietly separated and started seeing other people. (They divorced in 2009.) 'The gossips tried to sum up our demise as simply and salaciously as they could,' Foster wrote. 'But it wasn't that clear-cut.' Ultimately, this story of an old-school backstage romance – except involving 50-somethings! – just proved irresistible for very online gossips, who have found themselves combing through the pair's now years-old promotional interviews for The Music Man: how much they bonded during pandemic-delayed rehearsals, how naturally their professional chemistry developed. Foster told CBS Mornings in 2022 that she and Jackman made a routine of meeting in her dressing room before every show, sitting on the floor to catch up in what she called 'carpet chat'. 'We're kind of this little pair. And it's the greatest thing that's come out of this whole experience, is that I have a new friend,' Foster said. In other interviews, she described how their families spent time together and that her young daughter, whom she adopted with Griffin, called Jackman 'Uncle Hugh'. Loading One of the first hints of scandal came last autumn, not long after Foster confirmed her divorce. Pop culture creator Tasha Lustig posted a video on Instagram to her 227,000 followers where she claimed that Jackman 'blindsided' Furness by 'running off' with Foster. Amanda de Cadenet, a British media personality and part of Furness's crowd, showed up in the comments: 'You are on point with this one,' she wrote. 'My beloved friend Deb is about to have her glow up any moment fyi!' Tabloids and gossip magazines took note that Furness herself 'liked' Lustig's video from her private Instagram account. In an interview with The Washington Post, Lustig said that she knew that Furness followed her on Instagram, and she wasn't too surprised that Furness engaged with the post. Lustig argued that the media all too often reports on celebrity divorce from the man's point of view, so she seeks to give her audience the counter perspective. Plenty of fans sympathised with Furness. 'People are really fond of Deb,' Lustig said, noting she was Jackman's 'ride or die' for years. After four months without a recorded public sighting, Jackman and Foster resurfaced in new paparazzi photos in mid-May that showed them on the streets of New York – another People exclusive, this time with the headline, 'Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster Show Sweet PDA in Rare New Photos Since Confirming Romance.' They are positively beaming as they hold hands, not looking directly at the cameras, but with the aura of stars who know that everyone is watching their every move.
The Age
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
How Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster became the new ‘Bennifer'
'We got the two-shot, the shot that everyone kind of was waiting for,' said Parshotam, whose Jackman-Foster images published everywhere from American and British tabloids to the covers of Australian newspapers. 'That January made my year,' he added. 'Not just financially, but more as a scoop.' Indeed, the news that Jackman, 56, and Foster, 50, were official lit up theatre group chats, Reddit gossip threads and social media comments across the globe, not to mention a slew of publications that now track their every move. Five months later, the two still have not said a word publicly about their courtship. But their very existence as a couple seems to have hit enough cultural nodes to vault them to near-Bennifer 2.0 status: Hollywood but also Broadway, blockbusters but also niche streaming faves, Australian celebrities, regular celebrities, co-stars falling in love, dating in your 50s, divorcing in your 50s and - perhaps most important – a hint of possible scandal. The story picked up more steam last month when Furness, 69, confirmed to the Daily Mail that she has now officially filed for divorce from Jackman. She also sent a lengthy and vague-yet-pointed statement, allowing readers to do their own maths. 'My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal. It's a profound wound that cuts deep,' Furness told the publication. 'However I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us. This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage. I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience.' Loading Representatives for Jackman, Foster and Furness did not respond to requests for comment for this story. It's an unusually messy situation for twocharming entertainers who have spent years accumulating goodwill, moving seamlessly from musical theatre to film and TV and back again. Jackman was an Academy Award nominee for Les Misérables (he's got all but the 'O' in EGOT - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards) and is the rare Marvel action hero who can sing and dance. Foster has been nominated for five other Tonys in addition to those two wins and earned a following among young fans for her work in TV. But in the game of fame, critical success can't hold a candle to a juicy real-life love story. Loading 'People are fascinated by Hugh Jackman as an actor, but his love life has always been an even bigger obsession,' said Dax Holt, a former TMZ on-air personality. Holt, who now co-hosts the Hollywood Raw podcast where Parshotam first shared his story of cracking the 'JackFost' case, noted the endless curiosity about Jackman and Furness's marriage: their age gap, the long-running speculation about Jackman's sexuality – and now intrigue about the estrangement timeline. 'Deborra alluding to him being a cheater has poured more gas on the fire,' Holt said. 'I'm not going to lie, it's been an entertaining topic to cover on the podcast.' Part of the excitement is that Jackman and Foster have joined a storied tradition of co-stars who wind up dating. Anika Chapin, a musical theatre dramaturge and writer, recalled seeing an Instagram post shortly after news of the new couple broke. 'I didn't realise this happened in theatre,' one commenter replied. 'I was like, 'Well, of course it happens in theatre',' Chapin said. In film and television, you shoot a romantic scene a handful of times, she noted, while in theatre, you fall in love onstage eight times a week and spend hours together backstage. 'It's so much more of a concentrated experience that it feels like even more of a breeding ground for potential romantic entanglements.' Ben Rimalower, a theatre writer, performer and director, said the rumours about Jackman and Foster were so persistent in Broadway circles – a community drawn to drama both onstage and behind-the-scenes – that the most surprising part about the relationship confirmation was that they were still together. But since Foster in particular is beloved in the theatre world, there seemed to be 'a widespread desire' to let her handle whatever was going on at her own discretion, he said. However, after the news of her marriage ending not long after Jackman's, the chatter increased to a level that couldn't be contained to Midtown Manhattan. 'Even though they are obviously theatre stars, and that's where their careers began, they are both clearly famous at the level where they crossed over,' Rimalower said, adding, 'It's just a really far reach that makes them a lot more interesting to people than the average Broadway couple.' Decades before The Music Man brought them together, Jackman and Foster shared the kind of big-break origin story that theatre kids swoon for. Jackman landed his role as Wolverine in Marvel's 2000 blockbuster X-Men when Dougray Scott, a bigger name at the time, had to drop out due to Mission: Impossible 2 commitments. Foster was hired to understudy Millie Dillmount during Thoroughly Modern Millie 's slow path to Broadway in 2002, but took over the role when the original lead actress fell out with producers days before its out-of-town opening. Jackman emerged as the breakout star of the X-Men ensemble, while Foster won her first Tony. Jackman met Furness five years before X-Men on the Australian TV crime drama Correlli, they wed the following year when he was 27 and she was 40. They later adopted a son and a daughter and were often praised for their public devotion to one another. But as Jackman continued to star in musicals between hit movies, speculation about his sexuality was rampant. In a 60 Minutes Australia interview in 2013, he and Furness expressed irritation about rumours that he was clandestinely gay. 'If I was, I would be,' Jackman told the reporter. ' … But I do get frustrated for Deb, cause I see Deb go, 'Ah, this is just crazy'.' As Foster went on to success in Broadway shows and basic-cable series – ABC Family's Bunheads and TVLand's Younger – she married her Millie co-star Christian Borle, also now a two-time Tony winner, in 2006. They, too, were an object of sotto voce speculation in theatre circles, which Foster addressed in her 2021 memoir Hooked: How Crafting Saved My Life – describing how upset she was by tabloid reports of supposed cheating when in fact she and Borle had quietly separated and started seeing other people. (They divorced in 2009.) 'The gossips tried to sum up our demise as simply and salaciously as they could,' Foster wrote. 'But it wasn't that clear-cut.' Ultimately, this story of an old-school backstage romance – except involving 50-somethings! – just proved irresistible for very online gossips, who have found themselves combing through the pair's now years-old promotional interviews for The Music Man: how much they bonded during pandemic-delayed rehearsals, how naturally their professional chemistry developed. Foster told CBS Mornings in 2022 that she and Jackman made a routine of meeting in her dressing room before every show, sitting on the floor to catch up in what she called 'carpet chat'. 'We're kind of this little pair. And it's the greatest thing that's come out of this whole experience, is that I have a new friend,' Foster said. In other interviews, she described how their families spent time together and that her young daughter, whom she adopted with Griffin, called Jackman 'Uncle Hugh'. Loading One of the first hints of scandal came last autumn, not long after Foster confirmed her divorce. Pop culture creator Tasha Lustig posted a video on Instagram to her 227,000 followers where she claimed that Jackman 'blindsided' Furness by 'running off' with Foster. Amanda de Cadenet, a British media personality and part of Furness's crowd, showed up in the comments: 'You are on point with this one,' she wrote. 'My beloved friend Deb is about to have her glow up any moment fyi!' Tabloids and gossip magazines took note that Furness herself 'liked' Lustig's video from her private Instagram account. In an interview with The Washington Post, Lustig said that she knew that Furness followed her on Instagram, and she wasn't too surprised that Furness engaged with the post. Lustig argued that the media all too often reports on celebrity divorce from the man's point of view, so she seeks to give her audience the counter perspective. Plenty of fans sympathised with Furness. 'People are really fond of Deb,' Lustig said, noting she was Jackman's 'ride or die' for years. After four months without a recorded public sighting, Jackman and Foster resurfaced in new paparazzi photos in mid-May that showed them on the streets of New York – another People exclusive, this time with the headline, 'Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster Show Sweet PDA in Rare New Photos Since Confirming Romance.' They are positively beaming as they hold hands, not looking directly at the cameras, but with the aura of stars who know that everyone is watching their every move.
