After insisting they were nothing more than just friends in August 2023, the handbag designer is reportedly 'happy' to be in a romantic relationship with the financier.
- Jan 15, 2024
AceShowbiz - Christine Baumgartner has apparently found new love in someone who has been around her all this time. The ex-wife of Kevin Costner is reportedly dating his friend Josh Connor, nearly four months after their divorce was finalized.
A friend of Christine tells PEOPLE she has been in a relationship with Josh "since she split from Kevin." Back in July 2023, Christine was seen with Josh during a vacation in Hawaii with her kids. However, during child support hearings in August 2023, Christine's attorney John Rydell denied rumors of a romance between the two. The lawyer stated at the time that Josh was just a friend amid her divorce from Kevin and "nothing more than that."
"Josh was initially just a friend," the so-called insider now says. Christine "likes hanging out with him," the friend spills, adding, "He is a divorced dad and understands what she's been going through. They both love the ocean and beach life. It's something that makes Christine happy."
Another source in the Costners' circle said Christine and Josh "are dating, although they had a strong friendship before that." Because Christine and Connor are in the "same place in their lives," the romance could blossom, the source claims, adding, "They are having a lot of fun together."
On early Friday morning, January 12, Christine was seen dropping off her new man at his palatial Montecito home as seen in pictures obtained by Daily Mail. The former bag designer was driving her boyfriend in her Range Rover. They seemingly returned from a romantic trip away as he was seen pulling a suitcase while walking away from the vehicle.
The couple reportedly also traveled together at Christmas time. According to sources, Josh flew his girlfriend to Hawaii on a private jet.
During their trip to the tropical island last summer, sources told TMZ that there was "absolutely no romantic relationship" between Christine and Josh, who is also said to be good friends of Kevin. "They have been good friends for years," the source added.
The wealthy financier, who lives only five minutes away from Christine's current house, was reportedly a "confidante" to her as she navigated her messy split from the "Yellowstone" actor. A source told The Sun that Josh had flown out to Hawaii to serve as a "companion" to Christine.
Christine filed for divorce from Kevin in May after 18 years of marriage. After a legal battle over child support payment, they reached an agreement in September. They said in a joint statement, "Kevin and Christine Costner have come to an amicable and mutually agreed upon resolution of all issues pertaining to their divorce proceedings."
