Hugh Jackman Playfully Jokes About Ryan Reynolds During Gotham Awards 2025 Musical Tribute with Kate Hudson

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson Honor Music at Gotham Awards

Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson made a historic mark at the 2025 Gotham Awards, becoming the first recipients of the Gotham Musical Tribute while simultaneously playfully highlighting Ryan Reynolds.

The ceremony took place on December 1 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, where Jackman, 57, and Hudson, 46, were recognized for their performances in the upcoming musical, Song Sung Blue. The duo made their entrance to Neil Diamond’s "Sweet Caroline," with Hudson enthusiastically exclaiming "So good!" as she kicked off her speech.

Reflecting on their collaboration, Hudson expressed, "From the first day in the recording studio with you and you to finding duets in Neil [Diamond]’s music… Harmonizing and performing with Hugh has been one of the great joys of my career." She shared the significant role music plays in her life, stating, "Music has always been the great narrator of my life. I don’t know where I’d be without it."

Hudson then introduced Jackman, who portrayed one half of a real Milwaukee musical duo and a member of a Neil Diamond tribute band. Jackman, maintaining a lighthearted tone, joked, "Thank you so much. This is so cool and something to make Ryan Reynolds insanely jealous.”

After his playful remark, Jackman praised Song Sung Blue, highlighting its themes of "real people, real lives, real struggles, real love." He lauded his co-star, saying, "Kate Hudson is not only one of the great stars of our business; she is a consummate actor," and predicted she would "win the Oscar" for her role in the film.

Song Sung Blue, which will be released in theaters on Christmas Day, is expected to garner significant attention. Directed and written by Craig Brewer, the film also features performances by Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi.

Jeffrey Sharp, Executive Director of the Gotham Film & Media Institute, commented on the duo’s performances, stating, "Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman deliver performances…that are at once powerful, intimate, and deeply human,” expressing excitement about the film’s artistic merit and the impact of music in its narrative.

The movie premiered at the AFI Film Festival earlier this year and has already stirred Oscar buzz, particularly regarding Hudson’s performance in the Lead Actress category. Hudson expressed her excitement about the accolades, saying, "Honestly, it’s really just exciting. It’s very exciting, and that’s it… I’ve been around long enough to know just to enjoy that people are loving the movie."

The Gotham Awards, which have acknowledged performers in gender-neutral categories since 2021, celebrate independent cinema annually. This year’s event features One Battle Another leading the nominations with six, contending for Best Feature against Bugonia, East of Wall, Familiar Touch, Hamnet, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Lurker, Sorry, Baby, The Testament of Ann Lee, and Train Dreams.

Additionally, director Noah Baumbach will be recognized for his work on Jay Kelly, Tessa Thompson will receive the Spotlight Tribute for Hedda, and Frankenstein will be awarded the Gotham Vanguard Tribute. The cast of Sinners will also be honored with the Ensemble Tribute, while Luca Guadagnino and Julia Roberts will receive the Visionary Tribute for After the Hunt.

"This year’s nominees celebrate an extraordinary year of cinematic achievement — one defined by bold, original storytelling, festival breakouts, and filmmakers whose independent vision extends across studios and streamers," Sharp concluded.

Song Sung Blue releases in theaters on December 25.