Hugh Jackman Reveals When He Knew Zendaya Would Be ‘Biggest Star of Her Generation’

Hugh Jackman has recently expressed his admiration for fellow actor Zendaya, highlighting her remarkable talent during their collaboration on the film *The Greatest Showman*. In a conversation with Ankur Jain, the founder of the Bilt platform, the Australian actor fondly recalled his first day on set with Zendaya, confidently predicting that she would become one of the leading stars of her generation.

Jackman, who is also an ambassador for Global Citizen, shared his memories of Zendaya while engaging in a promotional event for the Global Citizen and Bilt partnership. He noted that during their initial filming, Zendaya delivered an outstanding performance on her very first take. However, the film’s director, Michael Gracey, requested additional takes from Zendaya as well as from Jackman and co-star Zac Efron.

“I pulled him aside and said, ‘What are you doing, her first take was amazing,’” Jackman recounted. Gracey explained that he wanted to avoid placing Zendaya in a position of embarrassment, as he felt it would be appropriate for her to take a few more attempts.

In addition to his praise for Zendaya, Jackman has taken on a prominent role in the upcoming Global Citizen Festival, set to take place on September 26 in the Great Lawn of Central Park, New York. This year’s event focuses on several ambitious goals: getting two million children into school, supporting 1.5 million smallholder farmers, and providing electricity to 2.5 million homes worldwide.

Global Citizen co-founder Hugh Evans commented on the festival’s mission, stating, “Ending extreme poverty has never been the work of a few large donors. It’s millions of people choosing to act, over and over.” The event aims to rally public support for these critical initiatives and raise awareness about global poverty and inequality.

In recent days, Hugh Jackman has also enjoyed a respite from his busy schedule, spending quality time with his girlfriend, Sutton Foster. The pair recently spent time in North Carolina, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, as reported by sources familiar with the couple. Their summer has been marked by cherished moments together, blending romance with a shared passion for music.

The couple delighted fans by performing “A Million Dreams” from *The Greatest Showman* at the Tanglewood music festival in Massachusetts on August 14. Before the performance, Jackman told the audience, “We know what we’re going to do.” He then invited Sutton on stage, reminiscing about their earlier collaboration in *The Music Man* on Broadway in 2022.

Following the concert, Jackman took to Instagram to share his excitement and gratitude for the evening’s experiences, stating, “Last night was a blast! My heart is full. Thank you ALL for choosing to spend the evening with us.” His post reflected the joy he derived from both their musical experience and the overwhelming support from fans.

As Jackman looks ahead to the Global Citizen Festival and continues to support vital social causes, his fond memories of working with Zendaya serve as a reminder of the friendships and connections forged in the film industry. These relationships, along with their shared commitments to making a difference in the world, underscore the importance of collective action towards achieving global goals.

With his dual focus on advocacy and personal fulfilment, Hugh Jackman exemplifies the idea that stardom can be paired with a meaningful purpose, inspiring others to join him in the quest for a better world.