Ahead of the New Year's Eve celebrations, Hollywood veteran 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 actor 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.
Father-Daughter Style in the Snow
The Oscar-winning director cut a casual yet classic figure, sporting a brown coat layered over a black jumper, complemented by light blue jeans and tan shoes. His daughter, Lily, opted for a khaki-coloured coat paired with dark jeans and a pair of brown ankle boots that added a touch of height. She accessorised her winter look with green gloves and a striped clutch bag, completing the ensemble for their festive gathering.
Notably absent from the family outing was Costner's new girlfriend, identified only as Kelly. The pair reportedly began dating in August, sparking speculation after they were both seen at the JAS Labor Day Experience festival in Snowmass Village near Aspen. A source close to the actor suggested to the Daily Mail that Kelly "is exactly his type", sharing his love for the outdoors, sports, long walks with dogs, and that she has young children.
New Love After a 'Dark Time'
The budding relationship marks a fresh chapter for Costner following what an insider described as "a very dark time in his life." This period was dominated by the bitter and highly publicised divorce from his ex-wife, Christine Baumgartner, which was finalised in February 2024 after she filed citing irreconcilable differences in May 2023.
The divorce proceedings were far from amicable, involving a fierce legal battle over finances. The court ultimately ordered Costner to pay $63,209 per month in child support for their three shared children—a significant reduction from the $248,000 monthly sum Christine had initially requested. The animosity also led to Christine being ordered to vacate Costner's $145 million beachfront estate in Carpinteria just two months after she filed for divorce.
A Lingering Frost Between Exes
Despite the legal conclusion, a frosty distance remains between the former couple. This was evident as recently as June 2024, when they attended their son Cayden's high school graduation in Santa Barbara. Pictures obtained by the Daily Mail showed the pair carefully avoiding interaction, keeping a palpable distance throughout the celebrations.
An insider at the event revealed that while both parents were determined to put their differences aside for their son's big day, they made no effort to interact. "The good days that they had in the past are long gone," the source stated, adding that "the less time that Kevin is around Christine, the better." However, they both prioritised supporting Cayden, with the source noting, "Kevin loves his kids and made sure that his issues with Christine made no appearance to the festivities."
Christine has since moved on, becoming engaged to financier Josh Connor, who proposed in January 2024. As for Costner, he appears to be embracing his new relationship with Kelly, 46, whom he has tried to keep "very hush hush," according to the source, because "he doesn't want this to go off the rails." With Costner back in Aspen for the New Year, there remains every chance his new partner is there too, quietly ringing in 2025 alongside him.
