Hugh Jackman may be an Oscar nominee and a Tony winner, but even the greatest showman had to start somewhere—and for Hugh, that start involved a voice crack so loud it practically deflated a room full of casting directors.
The “Wolverine” star is currently lighting up social media after kicking off the season at the Hollywood Bowl with his show, “An Evening With Hugh Jackman.” While the night was filled with glitz, glamour, and a tuxedo-clad Jackman, it was a self-deprecating trip down memory lane that had the audience—and fans on X (formerly Twitter)—doubling over with laughter.
The Audition Fail Heard ‘Round the Room
During the set, Jackman recalled a disastrous audition from years ago where he decided to belt out “Stars” from “Les Miserables.” At the time, it was the first time he had ever been asked to sing for a role.
“I read first and I could tell it was going well,” Jackman told the crowd. “Then I sang and I cracked on the final note so spectacularly. Like it was the worst crack you could have ever imagined.”
The actor admitted the vibe in the room shifted instantly. “Whatever excitement was on the panel, it just deflated immediately. I was about to run out, just humiliated.”
In a twist of fate, the casting director stopped him to ask why on earth he chose that difficult song. When Jackman explained it was the only sheet music he owned, the man told him, “You’ll never sing that again.”
“I think what he meant to say was, ‘Why don’t you put that to the side for like years when you might sing it at the Hollywood Bowl?'” Jackman joked, referencing his eventual Oscar-nominated turn as Jean Valjean.
A Shout-Out to Margot Robbie
The night wasn’t just about past embarrassments; it was also about Australian pride. Jackman performed a localized version of John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” swapping out the lyrics for an “Ozzy” twist that quickly started trending online.
“Aside from the occasional shark attack, thank God I’m an Ozzy boy,” he sang to cheers from the audience. He even managed to work in a nod to a certain “Barbie” star, singing, “And every single girl looks like Margot Robbie, thank God I’m an Ozzy boy.”
The line earned massive laughs and has been making the rounds on TikTok as fans celebrate the “Aussie royalty” connection.
Doing Away With the “Charade”
In typical Jackman fashion, the actor kept the energy high and the ego low. He playfully called out the traditional concert “curfew” and told the audience upfront that he wouldn’t be participating in the usual encore routine.
“We’re going to do away with that whole charade,” he said with a smile. “The whole everyone walking off, but we all know everyone left their instruments on stage… Going to do away with that.”
Accompanied by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and several members of the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA), Jackman powered through hits from “The Greatest Showman,” including “A Million Dreams,” and a cover of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” The latter serves as a teaser for his upcoming film “Song Sung Blue,” where he stars alongside Kate Hudson.
A Record-Breaking Night
The evening concluded with a signature fireworks display and a massive win for the community, raising $. million for the LA Phil’s learning and community programs.
While Jackman’s solo show was the big opener, the Bowl season is shaping up to be a viral goldmine. Upcoming acts include Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” as well as legends like Diana Ross, John Legend, and Cyndi Lauper.
Thirty years after that “spectacular” voice crack, it’s clear that Hugh Jackman is still the king of the stage—and he finally hit that high note.
