Hollywood heartthrob Kevin Costner just flipped the script on his love life, stepping out with new girlfriend Kelly Noonan Gores in a way that screams “this is real.” The 70-year-old Yellowstone star, fresh off a messy divorce, turned heads at the JAS Labor Day Experience near Aspen, Colorado, over the holiday weekend. There they were, arm in arm, chatting up folks and soaking in jazz tunes under the stars. No more whispers or sneaky sightings; this was a full-on red carpet reveal that lit up tabloids and fan chats overnight. After a year of healing from heartbreak, Costner looks lighter, happier, like a guy who’s finally ready to dance again.
From Court Battles to Cozy Vibes
Let’s rewind a bit. Costner’s split from ex-wife Christine Baumgartner hit like a summer storm back in 2023, dragging through courts over cash and kids. The pair, married 18 years, share three little ones: Cayden, 16, Hayes, 15, and Grace, 14. Fights got ugly with Baumgartner asking for a whopping $248,000 a month in child support, but Costner fought back hard. In the end, judges slashed it to $63,209 monthly, and she had to pack up from their swanky $145 million Carpinteria beach pad just two months after filing. Ouch. The whole mess left Costner “burned” and beat down, insiders say, but he kept his chin up, focusing on dad duties and dodging the spotlight.
Fast forward to now, and life’s flipping pages. Sources close to the couple spill that Costner and Gores met through shared pals in California’s sunny scene. They’ve been low-key for months, grabbing quiet dinners and beach walks, but that Aspen bash changed everything. Costner rocked a black quarter-zip sweater and shades, all cool dad energy, while Gores slayed in a black mini dress with a denim jacket and boots. “Kevin is dating and happy again after a very dark time,” one pal told reporters. It’s casual for now, but that public stroll? Pure launch mode.
Meet Kelly: The Blonde Bombshell Who’s Got Fans Talking
So who’s this mystery match stealing Costner’s heart? Kelly Noonan Gores, 46, is a film director with a sharp eye for stories that tug at heartstrings. She’s helmed docs like “The Way I See It” on White House photog Pete Souza, earning props for her thoughtful touch. Divorced from billionaire Alec Gores last summer, she’s a mom to a young daughter and fresh off a rough patch her Pacific Palisades pad burned down, flipping her world upside down. But Gores bounces back strong, hitting the surf to stay fit and zen. “Dating isn’t her top gig right now,” a source notes. “She’s all about her kid and getting steady.”
What’s got tongues wagging? Gores is a dead ringer for Baumgartner same blonde waves, high cheekbones, bright eyes, and that easy California glow. Fans flooded socials with “twin alert” memes, joking Costner’s got a type locked in. “She thinks he’s wonderful,” insiders add, saying their chats flow easy over movies and family life. At 24 years younger, she’s no stranger to the age gap chat, but hey, love don’t punch clocks.
A Quick Peek at Costner’s Romances
| Relationship | Years Together | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Cindy Silva (ex-wife) | 1978-1994 | Three kids: Annie, Lily, Joe |
| Christine Baumgartner (ex-wife) | 2004-2023 | Three kids; epic divorce battle |
| Kelly Noonan Gores (current) | 2025-ongoing | Fellow filmmaker; surf buddies |
This table sums up his big chapters, from college sweetheart to new wave rider.
Cheers and Side-Eyes from the Crowd
The launch landed big, with pals toasting the pair’s chill chemistry. At the fest, they stuck close, laughing through sets and dodging photogs like pros. Costner’s crew says he’s grinning more, channeling that post-divorce peace into work too rumors swirl of fresh flicks on deck. But not everyone’s popping corks. Some fans side-eye the “ex lookalike” vibe, whispering it’s rebound city, while others root hard for his glow-up. Baumgartner? She’s engaged to old pal Josh Connor since early this year, so no bad blood there just co-parenting wins, like cheering Cayden’s grad bash together.
In celeb land, where splits splash headlines, Costner’s step feels real and raw. No glitzy posts or pap chases; just two folks vibing at a mountain gig. As fall hits, eyes stay peeled will this spark into something steady, or fizzle like summer smoke? For now, it’s a win for the guy who gave us Field of Dreams: proof love can root deep, even after the rain.