Hugh Jackman revealed Neil Diamond’s emotional reaction to watching the film Song Sung Blue, which is based on the true story of a tribute band who covered songs by the “Sweet Caroline” singer.
A documentary about Mike and Claire Sardina, the two members of the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning and Thunder, came out in 2008, and the scripted biopic starring Jackman and Kate Hudson was just released in theaters on Christmas Day 2025.
During a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Jackman opened up about Diamond’s reaction to Song Sung Blue.
“He rang me after seeing the movie with his wife, Katie, and he was crying,” the actor explained, adding that the singer loved the film and was very “moved” by Mike and Claire’s story.
“He rang me after seeing the movie with his wife, Katie, and he was crying. He was so moved by it. He loved it. And he just loved the story of Mike and Claire.”
While speaking to Diamond on the phone, Jackman “took the opportunity” to ask if he could stop by and visit the singer and his wife at some point.
Diamond’s wife, Katie McNeil, asked Jackman if he realized the couple lived in Colorado. Jackman was completely fine with that and ended up traveling to Colorado to stay the night with Diamond and McNeil.
“So I took the opportunity. I said, ‘Guys, I’d love to come around and have a cuppa or something.’ And Neil’s like, ‘Okay, yeah, all right.’ And then I didn’t hear from Neil anymore. And Katie obviously takes the phone and goes, ‘You know we’re in Colorado?’ I went, ‘Okay, I’d still like to come for a cuppa,’ and she was like, ‘So I guess you want to stay the night?’ I’m like, ‘That’d be great.’ And she’s like, ‘Okay.'”
When they finally met in person, an emotional Diamond went up to Jackman and said, “You did good, kid.” Later that night, around dinner time, the singer asked Jackman if he wanted to do karaoke with him. “I’m like, ‘Hell, yeah.’ We did karaoke,” the actor revealed with astonishment.
“Neil came out and he came up to me. And he grabbed me, and he goes, ‘You did good, kid.’ But he was emotional about it. And so I stayed the night, and, at dinner time, Neil Diamond — Neil Diamond — goes, ‘You want to do some karaoke?’ I’m like, ‘Hell, yeah.’ We did karaoke.”
While singing karaoke, Diamond sang “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical Les Misérables (Jackman starred in the film adaptation), and then the two of them came together to sing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as well as Diamond’s most iconic hit, “Sweet Caroline.”
Jackman finished his story by revealing that if anyone in the Diamond household says “so good,” which is one of the lyrics in “Sweet Caroline,” two other people have to say it as well.
Hudson, who was also being interviewed by Graham Norton, had a similar “so good” experience with Diamond and McNeil.
In Song Sung Blue, Jackman and Hudson play the real-life couple Mike and Claire. Their co-stars in the film include Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, Mistafa Shakir, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, King Princess, Hudson Hensley, John Beckwith, Jackie Cox, Cecelia Riddett, Sean Allan Krill, Beth Malone, Jayson Warner Smith and Erika Slezak.
Hudson has been nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in Song Sung Blue, with the Nikki Glaser-hosted awards show airing live on January 11 on CBS. If she wins, this would be her second Golden Globe after winning Best Supporting Actress for Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous.
Hudson might also land an Oscar nomination when the Academy announces the shortlist on January 22. The actress has never won an Oscar before, though she was nominated for Almost Famous.
Jackman, meanwhile, was nominated at the Oscars for Les Misérables but, like Hudson, has never won. If recognized, Song Sung Blue would only be Jackman’s second Oscar nomination.
So far, Song Song Blue has grossed $16 million at the box office and is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a 77% score from critics and a 98% from audiences.
- Release Date
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December 25, 2025
- Runtime
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133 minutes
- Director
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Craig Brewer
- Writers
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Craig Brewer
- Producers
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Greg Kohs, John Davis, John Fox
