Christine Baumgartner’s boyfriend Josh Connor steps out in LA

Christine Baumgartner’s new boyfriend Josh Connor stepped out in LA on Thursday – after claims surfaced that her ex-husband Kevin Costner had ‘strong suspicions’ about their new romance.

DailyMail.com exclusively revealed Baumgartner, 49, had moved on with Costner’s banker buddy Connor, 49 –  just four months after her bitter divorce from the star, 68.

Connor cut a casual figure in a white shirt, black joggers and a jacket as he checked his phone while out and about.

Connor is himself a  divorced father of three who became legally single on January 3, 2023 – just five months before Baumgartner blindsided Costner, 68, by filing for divorce. 

Costner, 69, who is now dating singer Jewel, 49, had suspected that ‘something was going on between Christine and Josh,’ a source informed Us Weekly in an article published on Wednesday.  

The insider also added that the new couple’s ‘close [bond] was a real elephant in the room.’ 

Last year in May, Baumgartner notably filed for divorce from the Hollywood star after nearly 19 years of marriage and cited ‘irreconcilable differences.’ The divorce was finalized months later in September after a tumultuous battle. 

She has since moved on with the financer – and former neighbor – after the pair were first spotted together during a trip to Hawaii last year in July. 

Late last month in December, Costner was also linked to singer Jewel – three months after reaching a divorce settlement. 

The source also told Us Weekly that since the Oscar winner has also moved on, ‘Christine doesn’t think Kevin has anything to complain about.’ 

‘Josh has been Christine’s rock throughout the divorce ordeal. If Kevin has a problem with that, that’s on him,’ and also noted that the couple’s close friendship had turned romantic ‘relatively recently.’ 

In the midst of their divorce proceedings back in August 2023, Kevin claimed that he ‘does not know for a fact’ if Baumgartner had ‘extramarital’ affairs but stated that he had been faithful during their marriage.

In a legal request for order obtained by People at the time, the mother-of-three had asked for further documentation to prove Costner’s finances.

Some of the requests included, ‘expenses paid by you, or any person at your request or on your behalf, relating to any extramarital romantic relationships.’

In response, the star’s legal team stated that the request was, ‘propounded only for purposes of harassment, is overbroad as to time period and subject matter, burdensome, oppressive and impermissibly compound.’

Costner and his team also added that he ‘does not know for a fact if [Christine] engaged in any “extramarital romantic relationships” before separation and, if so, whether she spent any of his money or charged any expenses in furtherance of her affair(s) on credit cards he paid.’

The star’s attorneys stated, ‘[Kevin] has no responsive documents for “extramarital romantic relationships” in which he engaged because he engaged in none.’

According to the outlet, New York matrimonial and family law attorney, Marilyn B. Chinitz, explained that Christine’s request was ‘not unusual.’

While in court that same month in August, she had denied dating the investor – but admitted to receiving a loan of $20,000 from Connor. 

She explained that she had already paid back $10,000 while the other half had been given to her parents – but stated she would pay the rest back to Josh as well. 

Following a bitter battle, Kevin and Christine reached a divorce settlement in September 2023. 

The pair released a joint statement which was provided to DailyMail.com that read: ‘Kevin and Christine Costner have come to an amicable and mutually agreed upon resolution of all issues pertaining to their divorce proceedings.’

The former couple welcomed three children during the course of their marriage: Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13. 

After a two-day hearing, Christine was awarded $63,000-a-month in child support – a much lower amount than the $165K she had requested. 

Earlier this month, four months after the divorce settlement, DailyMail.com revealed that Christine has moved on with Josh Connor. 

She was seen in her Range Rover dropping off her new man at his palatial Montecito home – less than five minutes from her own house – after a brief getaway. 

Later that same day, he was seen making a brief visit to Baumgartner’s home – buzzing himself in with his own door clicker. 

Christine’s new man is financier Josh Connor, 49; himself a divorced father of three who became legally single on January 3, 2023. 

The couple also traveled together at Christmastime – her new banker beau flew her to Hawaii on a private jet, sources told DailyMail.com.

The pair were previously photographed laughing together on another vacation in Hawaii in July, accompanied by her daughter Grace and his youngest child Abigail, both 13, and it later emerged in court that the banker had loaned her $20,000. 

Accused by an irate Costner of having a new boyfriend, Baumgartner denied dating Connor under oath during an evidentiary hearing in Santa Barbara last August.

Also this month, the pair were repeatedly seen popping in and out of each other’s homes – despite both having their children with them.

Sources have told DailyMail.com that the romance has been going on for some time, with the couple taking a trip to New York in December ahead of their tropical Christmas.

The insider said, ‘They’re together and they have been for a while. They spent time before Christmas together in Hawaii while Kevin was presumably in Aspen with the kids.’ 

‘They also made a trip to New York together. She hasn’t been doing much to hide what’s going on from her friends.’

According to the source, the lovebirds met via their daughters who are themselves close friends and frequently hang out together.

As a result, Connor and his ex-wife Patricia, 48, have been pals with the Costner family for years with both living in Montecito – close to Baumgartner’s $50,000-a-month rental home and Costner’s $70 million Carpinteria compound. 

Last month in December, Kevin was romantically linked to singer Jewel, with a source telling People, ‘The relationship between Kevin and Jewel is fresh but not brand new. There is very big attraction on both sides.’ 

‘Jewel likes Kevin’s type and Kevin likes to be in a relationship, so this is cool,’ the insider continued. ‘He is having fun after his contentious divorce. He is glad that is over.’ 

A separate source also told DailyMail.com exclusively that the two are, ‘not serious right now,’ but are enjoying their time together. 

‘Jewel likes herself a man’s man and she is all about Kevin’s country western vibe. They are having fun.’ 

The pair are speculated to have crossed paths around Thanksgiving of last year when their mutual friend Richard Branson invited them to his Caribbean island.

The insider added that, ‘Richard is 100 percent responsible for Kevin and Jewel hooking up.’

‘Richard invited Jewel to hold her charity fundraiser on Necker and, honestly, the hookup happened organically. They hit it off well and Jewel seems to be happy about it.’

‘She is not really one for words, but her friends can see a light in her that hasn’t been there in quite some time.’