:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/neil-diamond-hugh-jackman-121525-bf61b9fe2b4945aa9f10f52b3185770a.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "Hugh Jackman slept at Neil Diamond’s house after the singer called him a ‘cryer’")
NEED TO KNOW
- Hugh Jackman said he slept at Neil Diamond’s house in Colorado following an emotional phone call with the singer-songwriter.
- Diamond called ‘in tears’ to share her reaction Song sung in bluewhich stars Jackman and Kate Hudson as the real-life couple behind the Diamond tribute band, Lightning & Thunder.
- Jackman said he and Diamond also did karaoke, including the singer’s version of “Sweet Caroline.” Les Miserables song
Hugh Jackman not only did karaoke with Neil Diamond, but also slept at the legendary singer-songwriter’s house – and it all started with an emotional phone call.
The 84-year-old “Sweet Caroline” crooner welcomed the 57-year-old actor – who plays Mike Sardina, one half of tribute band Diamond Lightning & Thunder, in his new film Song sung in blue — in his Colorado home after calling Jackman to share his emotional reaction to the film.
At a screening of the film in New York on Sunday, December 14, the actor revealed how this special sleepover came to be. In fact, he and Song sung in blue his co-star Kate Hudson – who plays Claire, Mike’s wife and bandmate – recalled how they met Diamond during a Q&A session at the 92nd Street Y event.
Asked if they got to meet Diamond, whose music is at the heart of the film and the true story it’s based on, Hudson, 46, explained that she first crossed paths with the singer — but Jackman got the karaoke night and the “slumber party.”
Vladimir Kolesnikov/Michael Priest Photography
“I grew up in Colorado,” Hudson told the crowd at the New York event. “Neil is in Colorado and we lived 10 minutes away from each other. I never met him, I never saw him. It was so weird. And I heard that he saw the movie and got really emotional and loved it. And I called [Focus Features] and I was like, “Can you call me and see if I can go?” »
And she did. Hudson and Diamond have shared “all kinds of stories,” the actress said while sharing photos from the get-together in October.
“They just invited me over and I sat on the porch having lemonade,” she recalled. “And then I took a picture and sent it to Hugh and he said, ‘I think I’m going to go to Colorado.’ ”
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Kate Hudson/Instagram
How Jackman met the “Sweet Caroline” singer also started with a phone call, he told the 92nd Street Y.
Shortly after receiving Hudson’s photo, Jackman recalls: “I also got a call from Neil and he was very emotional. »
The singer-songwriter was “crying” during the call, the actor said, adding that the film “meant a lot” to both Diamond and his wife, Kate. “He never gave his catalog to a film,” the actor added. “He just gave her carte blanche. He just loved everything about the Mike and Claire story.”
“So I took advantage of that phone call to invite myself over for a cup of tea,” Jackman continued. “And Neil says, ‘Okay.’ And he says, “Um, we live in Colorado…”. “Yeah, no problem.” “So you want to spend the night?” ” ‘Great. That would be great. »
“He must have been sleeping at home,” Hudson interjected, as she Song sung in blue The scene partner claimed, “I’m having a sleepover!” »
Diamond and Jackman even did karaoke at dinner, the actor said, noting that the singer-songwriter performed “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Miserables solo, apparently unaware that Jackman starred in the 2012 film adaptation.
Sarah Shatz/Focus Features
“I said, ‘Why did you sing that song?’ He replies, “Well, it’s such a pretty melody.” He didn’t notice it,” Jackman recalled, adding, “I don’t know if he knew I was in it or not. »
The duo also sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and, of course, “Sweet Caroline,” according to Jackman.
Song sung in blue is in theaters December 25.
