Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson made history after receiving the first-ever Gotham Musical Tribute at the 2025 Gotham Awards — and managed to troll Ryan Reynolds at the same time.
Jackman, 57, and Hudson, 46, were recognized for their work in the upcoming musical Song Sung Blue during the Monday, December 1, ceremony, held at the Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The actors walked out on stage to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” with Hudson yelling, “So good!” along with the track as she began her speech.
“From the first day in the recording studio with you and you to finding duets in Neil [Diamond]’s music,” Hudson said as she looked from Jackman to “dreamy” director Craig Brewer. “Harmonizing and performing with Hugh, which has been one of the great joys of my career.”
The actress added, “Music has always been the great narrator of my life. I don’t know where I’d be without it.”
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Hudson then passed the torch to her costar Jackman, who plays one-half of the real-life Milwaukee musical duo and Neil Diamond tribute band member.
Keeping his tone light, Jackman joked, “Thank you so much. This is so cool and something to make Ryan Reynolds insanely jealous,” poking fun at his longtime friend and fake rival.
The Australian actor proceeded to applaud the movie’s message about “real people, real lives, real struggles, real love.”
Jackman concluded by praising his counterpart. “Kate Hudson is not only one of the great stars of our business, she is a consummate actor,” he said, predicting she’ll “win the Oscar” for her role in the film.
Song Sung Blue, which hits theaters on Christmas Day, is written and directed by Brewer. Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi also star.
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“Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman deliver performances in Song Sung Blue that are at once powerful, intimate, and deeply human,” Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of awards organizer the Gotham Film & Media Institute, said in a statement last month. “Their connection on screen, and the soulful way they bring this true story to life, channel the timeless music of Neil Diamond while revealing their own artistry and spirit. It’s a film that reminds us how music can uplift and inspire — and we’re thrilled to celebrate their extraordinary artistry with our new Gotham Musical Tribute at this year’s Gotham Film Awards.”
The movie premiered at the AFI Film Festival earlier this year and has already garnered significant Oscar buzz, including Hudson for the Lead Actress category.
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“Honestly, it’s really just exciting. It’s very exciting and that’s it,” Hudson gushed to People in November of the praise she has already received for her performance. “You never know with these things. I’ve been around now long enough to know just to enjoy that people are really loving the movie. And just, you know, show up to where they tell me to go!”
The Gotham Awards, which have recognized performers in gender-neutral categories since 2021, are held annually by the Gotham Film and Media Institute to celebrate independent cinema. One Battle Another leads the pack this year with a total of six nominations, including Best Feature, where it will face off 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.
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This year’s ceremony will also recognize director Noah Baumbach for his work on Jay Kelly. Tessa Thompson will be honored with the Spotlight Tribute for Hedda, Frankenstein will receive the Gotham Vanguard Tribute and the cast of Sinners will receive the Ensemble Tribute. Luca Guadagnino and Julia Roberts will be honored with 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 shared in a statement of the 2025 honorees. “This year’s Gotham nominees, and our Gotham Tributes, reflect the year’s most accomplished filmmakers and performers and embody the community that has defined The Gothams for 35 years.”
Song Sung Blue releases in theaters Thursday, December 25.
