Kevin Costner’s ex-wife Christine Baumgartner has confirmed her relationship with family friend Joshua Connor.
Baumgartner, 50, stepped out hand-in-hand with Connor near her home in Santa Barbara, California. Their afternoon outing marked the first time the couple showed a public display of affection since Costner and Baumgartner. finalized their divorce in February after a nine-month legal battle.
Across the Atlantic, Costner was overcome with emotion when he presented his epic western, “Horizon: An American Saga,” at the Cannes Film Festival to a nearly 10-minute standing ovation.
Connor’s name became a focal point during Baumgartner and Costner’s project. child care payment hearing last year, when Costner’s legal team questioned a $20,000 loan from a “boyfriend” they named Josh.
‘HORIZON’ STAR KEVIN COSTNER DON’T JUST FALL IN LOVE WITH THE THINGS I LOVE’
Kevin Costner attends the Cannes Film Festival while his ex-wife is on PDA with boyfriend Josh Connor. (Background Grid/Getty Images)
Fox News Digital was at the courthouse when Baumgarter took the stand and said Connor had been a longtime friend for “7 or 8 years.” When Rydell asked, “Is this your boyfriend?” Baumgartner replied: “No.”
She remembers traveling to Hawaii in March with Connor, her daughter and a group of friends. Costner didn’t go because “he wanted to make a speech with a hunting club.” The Costners paid for the vacation home where the families stayed.
Baumgartner and Connor held hands during a walk in Santa Barbara. (Background grid)
Baumgartner and Connor have known each other for years as family friends, she said on the stand during her custody hearing. (Background grid)
In July, Baumgartner returned to Hawaii with a group of friends and their children, including Connor and his daughter, who is “best friends” with 13-year-old Grace Costner. Baumgartner said Connor “paid for the house.”
When Rydell asked about allegations that Connor “gave Christine money,” she responded, “I don’t remember if it was before or after (the March or July trips to Hawaii). .)” She continued: “He gave me $20,000.”
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Of the $20,000, the designer of the handbag said, “I gave my mother $10,000.” She then became emotional on the stand. “She was worried about her house,” Baumgartner noted.
Kevin Costner was overcome with emotion at the premiere of ‘Horizon’ in Cannes. (Getty Images)
In France, Kevin’s first western epic was at the forefront of his mind as he returned to the Croisette for the first time in 20 years. Inside the Grand Lumière Theater, Costner had tears in his eyes as he received a standing ovation nearly 10 minutes into the first of the four-part series, “Horizon.”
“I’m sorry you had to clap for so long for me to realize I had to speak,” Costner said after taking the microphone. “Such good people, such a good time – not just for me, for the actors who were with me, for the people who believed in me, who continued to work.
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“It’s a fun job and I’m so happy I discovered it. There’s no place like here. I’ll never forget it, and neither will my children.”
Hayes, Kevin Costner’s son, stars in “Horizon.” (Getty Images)
Costner continued: “I did this – it’s not mine anymore, it’s yours. I knew as soon as it was over, and that’s the way it should be. I think that films are not about their opening weekends, they are about their lives… how many times you are willing to share them, and I hope you will share this film with your lovers, with your children I. feel so lucky, feel so blessed And there are three more.
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The ‘Field of Dreams’ star walked the red carpet with the ladies of ‘Horizon,’ and his son Hayes, who made his acting debut in the western film.
The first part of the western saga debuts in theaters on Friday, June 28, while the second part of the drama will be released 49 days later, on Friday, August 16. In addition to starring in the feature, Costner also directed “Horizon” based on a screenplay he co-wrote with John Baird.
