Ahead of the New Year's Eve celebrations, veteran actor Kevin Costner was seen enjoying a cosy night out in the snowy resort of Aspen, Colorado, with his eldest daughter, Lily. The 70-year-old Hollywood star and his 39-year-old offspring wrapped up warm against the winter chill for the Monday evening excursion, joined by a group of close friends.
A Father-Daughter Evening in the Snow
The Oscar-winning director cut a casual figure for the low-key outing. He was dressed in a practical brown coat layered over a black jumper, paired with light blue jeans and tan shoes. His daughter, Lily, opted for a stylish khaki-coloured coat and dark jeans, adding a pair of brown ankle boots to her ensemble. She accessorised with green gloves and a striped clutch bag to complete her winter look.
Notably absent from the festive gathering was Costner's new girlfriend, Kelly Noonan Gores, 46. The pair reportedly began dating in August of this year, sparking speculation after they were both seen at the JAS Labor Day Experience festival in Snowmass Village near Aspen, albeit separately. Given Costner's return to Aspen for the New Year period, sources suggest there is every chance Kelly is also in the area, though she did not appear during this particular father-daughter moment.
New Love After a 'Dark Time'
Insiders close to the actor have revealed that he is "dating and happy again after a very dark time in his life." A source told the Daily Mail, "He has been seeing Kelly. They were together in Aspen in late July. He has tried to keep it very hush hush because he doesn't want this to go off the rails."
The source elaborated on the new romance, stating, "She is exactly his type and they have a lot in common: the outdoors, sports — she likes to surf — long walks with dogs." They added, "Also she has young kids and he loves kids, so he thinks that's cute. He says she is just 'chill', which is what he needs right now."
Moving On From a Bitter Divorce
This new chapter for Costner follows the finalisation of his divorce from ex-wife Christine Baumgartner in February 2024, concluding a protracted and often bitter legal battle. The former couple, who married in 2004 and share three children, split in 2023 when Christine filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.
The financial settlement was significant, though less than initially sought. The court ultimately ordered Costner to pay $63,209 per month in child support, a substantial sum but far from the $248,000 monthly Christine had originally requested. The animosity also led to Christine being ordered to vacate Costner's $145 million beachfront estate in Carpinteria just two months after filing.
Christine has since moved on and is engaged to financier Josh Connor, who proposed in January of this year. However, the rift between the ex-spouses appeared to remain during their son Cayden's high school graduation in June. Photographs showed a distinct frostiness, with the pair carefully avoiding interaction while putting on a united front for their son's sake.
An insider at the graduation noted, "They obviously knew each other were there but neither made any effort to interact... The good days that they had in the past are long gone." They confirmed, however, that both parents put their differences aside to celebrate their son's achievement.
As Costner rings in the New Year in Aspen, he appears to be balancing his commitment to family with the cautious beginnings of a new romantic relationship, seeking stability and happiness after a tumultuous period.
