Apparently Kevin Costner had “strong suspicions” about the romance between his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner and Josh Connor – which was confirmed earlier this month.
The 69-year-old Yellowstone actor, who recently appeared at the 81st Golden Globe Awards, had suspected that “something was going on between Christine and Josh,” a source told Us Weekly in an article published Wednesday.
The insider also added that the new couple is close [bond] “was a real elephant in the room.”
Notably, in May last year, Baumgartner filed for divorce from the Hollywood star after nearly 19 years of marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The divorce was finalized months later, in September, after a tumultuous battle.
She has since moved in with the financier – and former neighbor – after the pair were first spotted together during a trip to Hawaii in July last year.
Kevin Costner, 69, apparently had “strong suspicions” about the romance of his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner, 49, and boyfriend Josh Connor – which was confirmed two weeks earlier; Spotted in Beverly Hills earlier this month
Costner was also linked to singer Jewel at the end of December last month – three months after reaching a divorce agreement.
The source also told Us Weekly that “Christine doesn't think Kevin has anything to complain about since the Oscar winner has also moved on.”
“Josh was Christine's support throughout the divorce.” “If Kevin has a problem with that, that's on him,” and also noted that the couple's close friendship turned romantic “relatively recently.”
During their divorce proceedings in August 2023, Kevin claimed that he “didn't know for sure” whether Baumgartner had had “extramarital” affairs, but stated that he had been faithful during their marriage.
In a legal filing obtained by People at the time, the mother of three asked for additional documentation to prove Costner's finances.
The requests included, but were not limited to, “costs paid by you or another person at your request or on your behalf in connection with extramarital romantic relationships.”
In response, the star's legal team said the request was “made solely for the purpose of harassment, was too broad in time and subject matter, burdensome, oppressive and unduly complicated.”
Costner and his team also added that he “doesn’t know for sure.” [Christine] had any “extramarital romantic affairs” prior to the separation, and if so, whether she spent any of his money or charged expenses in furtherance of their affair(s) to the credit cards he paid for.”
The Yellowstone actor suspected that “something was going on between Christine and Josh,” a source told Us Weekly in an article published Wednesday; Baumgartner was seen in LA in 2019
She has since moved in with the financier – and former neighbor – after the pair were first spotted together during a trip to Hawaii in July last year; Connor was seen in Montecito earlier this month
The source also told Us Weekly that “Christine doesn't think Kevin has anything to complain about” since the Oscar winner has also moved on. Former couple seen in LA in 2022
The star's lawyers stated: “[Kevin] has no response documents for any “extramarital romantic relationships” he has entered into because he has not entered into any.”
According to the media, New York marital and family law attorney Marilyn B. Chinitz said Christine's request was “not unusual.”
When she appeared in court in August of that month, she had denied dating the investor but admitted receiving a $20,000 loan from Connor.
She explained that she had already paid back $10,000, while the other half was given to her parents – but explained that she would also pay the rest back to Josh.
After a bitter battle, Kevin and Christine agreed to a divorce settlement in September 2023.
The couple released a joint statement, shared with , which read: “Kevin and Christine Costner have reached an amicable and amicable resolution of all issues relating to their divorce proceedings.”
The former couple had three children during their marriage: Cayden (16), Hayes (14) and Grace (13).
After a two-day hearing, Christine was awarded $63,000 per month in child support – a much smaller amount than the $165,000 she had requested.
During their divorce proceedings in August 2023, Kevin claimed that he “didn't know for sure” whether Baumgartner had had “extramarital” affairs, but stated that he had been faithful during their marriage; seen in Madrid in 2019
Earlier this month, four months after the divorce settlement, revealed that Christine had moved on with Josh Connor.
She was seen in her Range Rover dropping off her new husband after a brief escape at his palatial home in Montecito – less than five minutes from her own home.
Later that same day, he was seen making a quick visit to Baumgartner's house and forcing his way in using his own door clicker.
Christine's new husband is financier Josh Connor, 49; himself a divorced father of three who became legally single on January 3, 2023.
The couple also traveled together over Christmas – her new banker boyfriend flew her to Hawaii on a private jet, sources told .
The couple were previously photographed laughing together on another vacation to Hawaii in July, accompanied by their daughter Grace and his youngest child Abigail, both 13. It later emerged in court that the banker had loaned her $20,000.
Accused of having a new boyfriend by an angry Costner, Baumgartner denied under oath that he was dating Connor at an evidentiary hearing in Santa Barbara last August.
This month, the two were repeatedly spotted going in and out of each other's homes – even though both had their children with them.
After a bitter battle, Kevin and Christine agreed to a divorce settlement in September 2023; Seen in LA with her three children in 2019
She was seen in her Range Rover dropping her new husband off at his palatial home in Montecito – less than five minutes from her own home – after a quick trip together
Sources told that the romance has been going on for some time and the couple are taking a trip to New York in December ahead of their tropical Christmas.
The insider said: “They are together and have been for some time.” They spent the run-up to Christmas together in Hawaii, while Kevin is believed to be in Aspen with the kids.
“They also took a trip to New York together. She hasn't done much to hide what's going on from her friends.'
According to the source, the lovebirds met through their daughters, who are close friends themselves and often spend time together.
So Connor and his ex-wife Patricia, 48, have been friends with the Costner family for years and both live in Montecito – near Baumgartner's $50,000-a-month rental home and Costner's $70 million Carpinteria compound.
Last month in December, Kevin was in a relationship with singer Jewel. A source told People: “Kevin and Jewel's relationship is fresh, but not entirely new. “The attraction is very strong on both sides.”
“Jewel likes Kevin's type and Kevin likes being in a relationship, so that's cool,” the insider continued. “He's having fun after his contentious divorce. “He's glad that's over.”
A separate source also told exclusively that the two are “not serious at the moment” but are enjoying their time together.
“Jewel likes herself as a man, and she's all about Kevin's country-western vibe. You have fun.'
It is speculated that the couple's paths crossed at Thanksgiving last year when their mutual friend Richard Branson invited them to his Caribbean island.
The insider added: “Richard is 100 percent responsible for Kevin and Jewel getting together.”
“Richard invited Jewel to host her fundraiser for Necker and honestly, the connection happened naturally. “They hit it off and Jewel seems happy about it.”
“She's not really one for words, but her friends can see a light in her that hasn't been there in a long time.”