Kevin Costner’s divorce battle with Christine Baumgartner may be behind them, but new reports reveal the Yellowstone star had lingering doubts long before their split turned public.

The “Elephant in the Room”

According to insiders, Costner grew uneasy about Baumgartner’s close connection with financier Josh Connor, who was once the couple’s neighbor. Their friendship reportedly became a sticking point during the couple’s separation, with one source calling it “a real elephant in the room.”

Baumgartner, 49, and Connor were first spotted together in Hawaii last summer, prior to her divorce from Costner being finalized. She maintains the romance only began “relatively recently,” but sources claim Costner had his suspicions long before the relationship was made public.

Courtroom Drama and Financial Questions

The couple’s split in 2023 was famously contentious, involving heated disputes over finances and property. Court filings from August of that year revealed Costner admitted he “does not know for a fact” whether Baumgartner had been unfaithful before their separation—but his questions lingered.

Baumgartner testified that Connor was simply a friend at the time and disclosed he had loaned her $20,000, half of which she gave to her mother. She later repaid the debt. Despite the scrutiny, insiders say Connor was a “rock” for Baumgartner during her turbulent divorce.

Moving On

Now, with the divorce finalized, Baumgartner has stepped forward with Connor, embracing their relationship publicly. Meanwhile, Costner, 69, has been linked to singer Jewel since December 2024. Friends of Baumgartner have noted she believes Costner has “no reason to complain,” given his own new romance.

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Final Thoughts

The Costner-Baumgartner split may be legally settled, but the questions surrounding its timing and emotional fallout continue to spark conversation. For Costner, the “suspicions” may never be fully answered. For Baumgartner, the focus now appears to be moving on with a partner who supported her through the storm.