2 days ago
Why Deborra-Lee Furness' withering 'betrayal' statement could mean trouble as she files for divorce from Hugh Jackman
An Australian lawyer has weighed in on Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness' messy divorce drama.
After Deborra-Lee, 69, officially filed for divorce from Hugh, 56, this week, the actress addressed her heartbreak in an exclusive statement to
Her emotive statement addressed the 'profound wound' the actress suffered during the split, which she described as a 'traumatic journey of betrayal.'
Sydney divorce lawyer Cassandra Kalpaxis has since commented on the recent developments, warning that Deborra-Lee's public statement could be 'misinterpreted.'
'When I work with high-profile clients, I always advise them not to speak publicly about the split,' Cassandra told
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'It's never received the way it's intended, not by the media, friends, or family, because context and tone are everything.'
The lawyer, who is also the author of Dignified Divorce: How to Separate Simply and Stay Out of Court, added that misinterpreted comments can often sour an amicable split.
'Things are easily misinterpreted, and that one comment can get back to the other person, be taken the wrong way, and spark acrimony,' she said.
'That's often how amicable divorces turn acrimonious.'
Following her decision to officially file for divorce from the Les Misérables star, two years after announcing their separation, the Australian actress addressed her heartbreak in an exclusive statement to
'My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,' she said.
'It's a profound wound that cuts deep, 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.
'Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose.
'It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom.'
She concluded her statement with the 'one thing' that she has learned, which is 'that none of this is personal'.
'We are all on our individual journeys and I believe that the relationships in our lives are not random,' she added.
'We are drawn to people, we invite them in, in order to learn our lessons and to recognise and heal the broken parts of ourselves...I remain grateful.'
Deborra-Lee and Hugh announced the end of their marriage in a shock statement in September 2023, telling fans that they were 'shifting' and as a result had decided to 'separate to pursue our individual growth '.
They were married in Melbourne, Australia, in April 1996 before adopting their son Oscar, now 24, in 2000. Five years later they completed their family unit when they adopted daughter Ava, now 19.
Following Deborrah-Lee's statement, Hugh, who is now in a relationship with actress Sutton Foster, 50, took a very telling swipe at his ex on social media on Wednesday.
He shared a clip of himself skipping on stage to the sounds of NSYNC's Bye Bye Bye with the simple caption, 'FINALLY', in what appeared to be a pointed reference to the divorce drama.
The video was posted the same day that Deborra-Lee took a swipe at her estranged husband amid the flurry of rumours that he cheated on her with his current girlfriend Sutton Foster.
exclusively revealed this week that Deborra-Lee filed the complaint in New York on May 23 and that, per the filings, everything has been ironed out behind the scenes.
Other filings submitted by Furness' lawyer, Elena Karabatos, in the divorce matter include a notice concerning continuation of health care coverage, a proposed qualified medical child support order, a New York state case registry form (used to report child support orders to the state's registry), the settlement, a proposed judgment of divorce, and certificate of dissolution.
All that needs to be done now is for the judge to sign off on the judgment.
Furness, who has two adopted children with the Wolverine actor, has received a 'handsome spousal support payment,' according to an insider who said there will be no 'drama' as they terminate their 27 year marriage.
'A settlement was reached that Deborra is pleased with which includes a handsome spousal support payment,' a source exclusively told
'There was some back and forth regarding this financial agreement but, in the end, she got what she believed she deserved. Both are coming out of this financially secure.
'There is not going to be any drama with this gives closure that she needed.'
A separate source said the divorce is 'non contested,' meaning there was not a major disagreement between the couple divorcing.
'They have worked out the details in advance and everything is ironed out in terms of a settlement, alimony and the expenses for the future of their children,' they said.
