Hugh Jackman is still ‘mourning’ and ‘processing’ his split from wife Deborra-Lee Furness – and has no plans to get back into the dating game, despite rumors to the contrary, have declared insiders.
The Wolverine star, 54, and the actress, 67, announced they were ending their marriage after 27 years in a joint statement last month, revealing they had “decided to separate to continue our individual growth.
And while it’s been reported that newly single Hugh is already getting back on the market, a source exclusively told DailyMail.com that he’s not rushing to find love again and hasn’t intending to be a “playboy”.
Instead, Hugh takes time to reflect on his marriage to Deborra-Lee before exploring the “exciting and scary” options the single life has to offer him, with a separate source shutting down claims he’s would turn to Australian popstar Betty Who for support.
Hugh Jackman, 54, split from wife Deborra-Lee Furness, 67, after 27 years of marriage
Wolverine star has no plans to be a ‘playboy’ as he returns to singlehood
“Hugh and Deborra have enormous respect for each other and want to see each other succeed in life, whether it’s in their careers, their love lives and everything else that touches them,” said a close source.
“Hugh is not against dating or being matched with someone his friends might think would be good for him, but he also continues to live without the woman he has been with for decades.
“He is in this period of calm where he is still mourning the breakup, trying to immerse himself in work to take his mind off things, flattered that a new love life could take place in the future and also, he likes the fact that ‘there I absolutely couldn’t do anything at all.
They continued: “The options before him are exciting and scary, he wants to respect Deborra’s feelings and her feelings, and he also wants to respect the feelings of someone he would get involved with.
“Of course he is interested in dating, but he also wants to give it his full attention and not make a mistake if and when it happens.
“He wants to approach this part of life with the best of intentions, he’s not trying to be a playboy.”
Hugh and Deborra-Lee, who share children Oscar, 23, and Ava, 18, confirmed their split in a statement shared with PEOPLE.
“We have been fortunate to share nearly three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful and loving marriage,” they said.
“Our journey is now changing and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.
The actor and his ex Deborra-Lee announced their split in a statement last month, revealing they had “decided to go their separate ways to pursue their individual growth.”
Hugh is reportedly taking time to reflect on his marriage to Deborra-Lee, pictured together in 2017, before respectfully getting back into the dating game.
“Our family has been and always will be our biggest priority. We begin this next chapter with gratitude, love and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding of respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives.
The former couple signed the statement as “Deb and Hugh Jackman,” adding, “This is the only statement either of us will make.”
Since they split, it has been reported that Hugh has turned to Betty Who, a “very good friend”.
But another source told DailyMail.com that the two men did not know each other.
“They met after watching Hadestown on Broadway,” they said. “He took a bunch of photos with the actors and she asked for one.”
Betty, who is married to photographer Zac Cassar and plays Persephone in the production, shared a photo with Hugh on Instagram, writing: “MY COUNTRYMAN!!!! (Australian flag emoji). Thanks for coming to see us in Hadestown and being so kind!!!!’
In another photo, Hugh was seen posing happily alongside Betty and fellow castmates Phillip Boykin and Reeve Carney.
Hugh is said to have struck up a friendship with pop star Betty Who, 31 (right) after their split – but a source has denied the claim.
Hugh went to watch the Kansas City Chiefs take on the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium with Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Taylor Swift weeks after his breakup.
It was previously reported that Hugh was looking for his Mrs. Right because finding love again “is one of his biggest priorities.”
“Everyone expects Hugh to remarry fairly quickly,” a source told New Idea magazine. “He is such a sweet person and is likely to fall in love with the first girl who catches his eye.”
“There’s a crowd of ladies lined up around the block to hang out with him,” another source added to the publication.
The star was photographed mingling with Taylor Swift, Blake Lively and her friend, as well as Deadpool teammate Ryan Reynolds, at the Kansas City Chiefs’ game against the New York Jets last month.
