Hugh Jackman gave fans a laugh-filled surprise at his latest show in New York City when he cheekily called out his longtime friend — and friendly rival — Ryan Reynolds.
While performing at Radio City Music Hall, the Australian actor took a moment away from his singing and dancing to tell the crowd about something that had been bugging him since filming Deadpool & Wolverine.
Turns out, Hugh had a little bone to pick with Ryan — all in good fun, of course.
That One Scene That Rubbed Hugh the Wrong Way
So here’s what happened. Hugh told the audience that he had an amazing time shooting the superhero flick with Ryan, calling it the “time of my life.”
But then came a little twist: he confessed there was one thing that got under his skin.
He said he was in every scene with Ryan — except for the very first one.
That scene? A full-blown dance number to an NSYNC track. And guess who was not invited to dance? Yep, Hugh.
A Musical Number Without the Musical Guy?
“I mean, Ryan’s great and all,” Hugh said with a smirk, “but dancing?” The crowd cracked up.
Hugh pointed out the irony — he’s the song-and-dance guy! He even joked that since Ryan wrote the script, he made sure the only scene Hugh wasn’t in was the one with choreography.
The kicker? Ryan didn’t even do the dancing himself.
That job went to his much younger dance double, Nick Pauley, who’s “like 25,” according to Hugh.
Jackman Decides to One-Up the Dance Scene Live on Stage
Not one to let a moment like that slide, Hugh took matters into his own hands — or rather, his own feet.
To make up for missing out on the film’s dance sequence, he surprised fans by putting on a show-stopping performance right then and there.
He brought out his trainer, Beth Lewis, who used to be a dancer, and together they recreated “the dance that got away” — set to NSYNC’s iconic hit Bye Bye Bye.
But this wasn’t just a throwback groove. Hugh added his own twist by jumping rope the entire time, showing off both rhythm and serious athleticism.
The Dance Was Equal Parts Comedy and Commitment
With the audience cheering him on, Hugh flipped, swung, and jumped his way through the choreography.
He ended it with a dramatic landing on the jump rope, striking a theatrical pose.
His backup dancers joined in, giving the number that Broadway-meets-blockbuster flair.
Before starting the routine, he joked that Beth might give him Monday off training after all the extra cardio he was putting in on stage.
The whole performance had the crowd roaring — and it sent a playful message to Ryan: two can dance, but only one can do it live in front of a full house.
Hugh’s New Show Is a Love Letter to His Broadway Roots
This little dig at Ryan was just one fun moment in Hugh’s stage show From New York, With Love.
The production is a celebration of Hugh’s musical journey, packed with beloved songs and showstopping dance numbers from his past performances — like Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman, The Music Man, and The Boy From Oz.
He kicked off the 12-show run back in January and is performing on select weekends through mid-August.
That way, he still has room in his schedule for Hollywood gigs and maybe even a bit more time for dancing rivalries.
Romance and a Fresh Start with Sutton Foster
While Hugh is lighting up the stage, his personal life has also taken a new turn.
He’s now in a blossoming relationship with fellow Broadway star Sutton Foster.
The pair, who previously shared the stage in The Music Man, seem to be growing closer following their respective breakups.
Sutton, 50, filed for an uncontested divorce from her second husband, Ted Griffin, late last year.
She shares a young daughter named Emily with her ex. Interestingly, Sutton and Hugh’s families had already been close — they even spent Memorial Day together in 2022.
Rumors of Emotional Infidelity Stir the Waters
Although insiders insist that Hugh and Sutton didn’t cross any lines during his marriage, a source close to his estranged wife Deborra-Lee Furness sees things differently.
According to them, while there may not have been any physical cheating, Deborra-Lee believes there was an emotional affair brewing and feels deeply betrayed by Hugh’s closeness to Sutton.
The emotional fallout adds to an already difficult separation after 27 years of marriage.
No Prenup and a $200 Million Battle Ahead
The end of Hugh and Deborra-Lee’s marriage has also turned into a financial minefield.
With an estimated $200 million at stake — and no prenuptial agreement in place — dividing their assets hasn’t been easy.
A source told DailyMail.com that they’re struggling to reach a settlement, and Deborra-Lee believes she deserves more than what Hugh is currently offering.
Dancing Through Drama with a Smile
Still, through all the drama, Hugh is throwing himself into what he loves most: performing.
Whether it’s ribbing Ryan Reynolds on stage, dancing to NSYNC, or diving into old musical favorites, he’s finding joy in the spotlight.
And if you ask the fans at Radio City Music Hall, Hugh’s dance number might have just outshone anything Deadpool could pull off.