Hugh Jackman Spent the Night at Neil Diamond’s Home After the Singer Called Him in Tears

What began as a phone call quickly turned into one of those music-meets-Hollywood stories that feels too perfectly scripted to be fictional. Hugh Jackman’s preparation for Song Sung Blue ultimately led him not just into Neil Diamond’s catalog, but into the singer’s Colorado home—for an emotional conversation, an impromptu karaoke session, and an overnight stay with one of America’s most beloved songwriters.

An Emotional Call From a Legend

Neil Diamond, now 84, reached out to Jackman after watching Song Sung Blue, the upcoming film inspired by a true story and centered on a Neil Diamond tribute act. Jackman, 57, plays Mike Sardina, one half of the duo Lightning & Thunder, alongside Kate Hudson as his wife and musical partner, Claire.

According to Jackman, the call was deeply moving. Diamond had been “very emotional,” even “crying,” as he told the actor how much the film meant to him and his wife, Kate. The reaction carried particular weight, Jackman noted, because Diamond had never previously allowed his music catalog to be used so freely in a film. “He’s never given his catalog to a movie,” Jackman said. “He just gave it carte blanche. He just loved everything about Mike and Claire’s story.”

That moment of vulnerability opened the door to something more personal. Jackman took the opportunity to casually invite himself over for tea—an invitation Diamond readily accepted, despite living in Colorado. When Diamond followed up with, “So you wanna stay the night?” Jackman didn’t hesitate. “Great. That’d be great,” he replied.

Kate Hudson’s Colorado Connection

The story came to light during a Q&A at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, where Jackman and Hudson appeared following a screening of the film on Dec. 14. Asked whether they had met Diamond, Hudson revealed that she had crossed paths with the singer first.

“I grew up in Colorado,” Hudson told the audience. “Neil is in Colorado and we lived 10 minutes from each other. Never met him, never seen him. It was just so weird.” After hearing that Diamond had seen the film and responded emotionally, Hudson contacted the studio in hopes of arranging a visit.

That visit turned into an easygoing afternoon. Diamond invited her over, where they sat on his porch, shared lemonade, and swapped stories. Hudson later sent a photo of the meeting to Jackman. His response was immediate: “I think I’m gonna go to Colorado.”

Soon after, Jackman received Diamond’s call—and the now-infamous sleepover invitation. “He got to sleep over,” Hudson joked at the event, while Jackman proudly confirmed, “I got a sleepover!”

Karaoke, Legacy, and Letting Go

The evening at Diamond’s home extended beyond conversation. Over dinner, the two broke into karaoke. Diamond performed “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables—apparently without realizing Jackman had starred in the 2012 film adaptation. “I said, ‘Why did you sing that song?’” Jackman recalled. Diamond’s answer was simple: “Well, it’s just such a pretty tune.”

They also sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and, inevitably, “Sweet Caroline,” blurring the line between fan, collaborator, and friend. For Jackman, the experience underscored the trust Diamond placed in the film—and in the actors carrying his music forward.

As Song Sung Blue arrives in theaters on Dec. 25, the story behind it feels almost as resonant as the movie itself. Diamond’s willingness to hand over his catalog, open his home, and emotionally engage with the retelling of his songs speaks to an artist reflecting on legacy rather than control. In the end, the Colorado sleepover wasn’t just a charming anecdote—it was a quiet reminder that great songs, once released into the world, often find their meaning not in stadiums or charts, but in the personal connections they continue to create decades later.