Kevin Costner says he’s open to finding love after denying Jewel romance rumors

Kevin Costner is open to finding love again — even if it’s not with Jewel.

The “Yellowstone” star shared in a new interview that he is ready to put himself back out there one year after filing for divorce from Christine Baumgartner, who has already moved on from their 18-year marriage.

“I think everybody would like to be in love,” he told People Thursday. “There’s such a good feeling that’s associated with that. It may have to be defined in a different way, but yeah, I love the idea of that possibility.”

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Kevin Costner hasn’t given up on the idea of love.Marina Takimoto/ZUMA Press Wire) / SplashNews.com

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“I think everybody would like to be in love,” he told People.Getty Images
Despite the bitter end to the pair’s relationship, Costner, 69, said he is “not going to let anything harden [his] heart.”

To get him through the tough times, the “Bodyguard” star focused on his seven children — Annie, 40, Lily, 37, Joe, 36, Liam, 27, Cayden, 17, Hayes, 15, and Grace, 14.

“You just keep talking, you keep coaching [the kids], you keep interested in what they’re interested in … I had to,” he explained.

“It’s really about the children. I am still teaching my kids. And by the way, I’m still learning.”

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The “Yellowstone” star split from wife Christine Baumgartner last year.Getty Images for WarnerMedia

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The exes were married for 18 years before their split.Getty Images
He also leaned into his friendships — including with the “You Were Meant for Me” singer.

The duo sparked romance rumors in December 2023 after they were spotted looking cozy on several occasions.

Sources told TMZ their relationship was “rather new” at the time; however, Costner recently denied things ever being romantic.

“Jewel and I are friends — we’ve never gone out,” he said on “The Howard Stern Show” earlier this week. “She’s special, and I don’t want these rumors to ruin our friendship because that’s what we have.”

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The actor was linked to Jewel a few months after their divorce was finalized.Getty Images

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However, Costner recently revealed he and the singer are just friends.Getty Images
However, the “Dances with Wolves” star noted that Jewel, 50, is “beautiful enough to go out with.”

Costner explained that the pair crossed paths on Richard Branson’s private island last year, where the “Who Will Save Your Soul” singer held her Inspiring Children Foundation tennis fundraiser.

He said they had “tremendous conversations” but left the island as friends and nothing more.

Despite hitting things off, the legendary actor noted they were with a large group of people, contrasting reports that it was a romantic getaway.

“I don’t want the press to ruin this for us,” he said. “I’ve had conversations with her — text-wise — and she is so smart and she has been through a lot herself, and so we have a friendship. We don’t have a romance, and we’ve not dated.”

Although he, once again, acknowledged that she is “beautiful and smart enough for all those things,” he insisted that it “just has never happened” for them.

Jewel, who is mom to 12-year-old son Kase, was previously married to pro cowboy Ty Murray from 2008 to 2014.