Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman has opened up about a deeply emotional moment with music legend Neil Diamond after the singer watched Song Sung Blue, the biographical musical film that stars Jackman alongside Kate Hudson. The 57-year-old actor says Diamond called him in tears, moved to his core by the story of the tribute band he and Hudson portray.
During a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Jackman shared the intimate details: “Neil rang me crying because he was so moved by the movie,” he said, adding that he later stayed at Diamond’s home for an overnight visit. At dinner, Diamond suggested they do karaoke – and the pair sang classics like I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables, Can’t Help Falling in Love, and of course, Sweet Caroline.
A musical bond forged by shared emotion
That night wasn’t just a fan’s dream; for Jackman, it was a full-circle moment. In interviews with The Los Angeles Times, he admitted karaoke was not his usual pastime, but when Neil asked, he couldn’t refuse. He even joked that the experience convinced him to buy his own karaoke machine.
Jackman described the emotional challenge of playing Mike Sardina, a struggling musician performing in a Neil Diamond tribute band, saying, “I had to lose Hugh Jackman to be Mike … for Mike to become Neil.” It was a layered performance – not just emulating Diamond, but finding the real person behind the tribute.
Kate Hudson on her meeting with Neil Diamond
Kate Hudson, who plays Claire Sardina, Mike’s partner in the band, also spoke about her first meeting with Diamond. In a FaceTime call during the film’s world premiere at AFI Fest, the 84-year-old legend connected with the cast – a moment Hudson called “a privilege.” She later told People that she grew up near Diamond’s home, but had never met him in person until now.
Hudson said she was deeply moved by the singer’s appreciation for the film: “He loves Mike and Claire … he was so grateful for it, which I was not expecting.” She also revealed how she tapped into Claire’s spirit through her transformation for the role — from Claire’s iconic hairstyle to her unbreakable optimism.
Chemistry, vulnerability and real-life resonance
According to Hello! magazine, Hudson admitted that building genuine chemistry with Jackman required vulnerability. “Craig Brewer, the director, wanted to start in the recording studio,” she said. “I felt so exposed … but that’s where Hugh and I really connected.”
Jackman agreed, noting that during scenes, they felt able to live in the “frustration, paranoia, anger, loss, fear” of their characters. He praised Hudson’s performance in portraying a character who, in real life, overcame serious challenges including illness and adversity.
Hudson also recalled advice from her father, Kurt Russell, who compared Claire’s resilience to that of the iconic boxer Rocky, admiring her determination to “get on her feet” again.
Real-world impact and Neil Diamond’s blessing
Director Craig Brewer has spoken about how meaningful Diamond’s support has been. At the AFI Fest premiere, although Diamond couldn’t attend in person, he joined via FaceTime with his wife Katie. Brewer called Diamond’s participation “a dream come true.”
Jackman conveyed Diamond’s heartfelt message to the audience: “‘Tell everyone I love them, and to keep singing,’” he said. For Jackman and Hudson, that endorsement made the long journey of bringing Mike and Claire Sardina’s story to life all the more worthwhile.
Song Sung Blue opens in cinemas on January 1, 2026.
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