Kevin Costner's Ex-wife's Boyfriend Called Actor's 'Walmart Version' as They Flaunt Romance in Recent Sighting

Kevin Costner's ex-wife, Christine Baumgartner's, recent outing with her new beau has ignited a wave of speculation and commentary, with fans drawing inevitable comparisons to her high-profile ex.

Christine Baumgartner is savoring her new romance with her boyfriend Josh Connor, but the spotlight hasn't been too kind. Recently, the designer—fresh off finalizing her divorce from "Yellowstone" star Kevin Costner—was spotted spending quality time with her new love.

The couple strolled through Montecito, California, hand in hand, sipping on green juices. They kept their look relaxed and effortless. Baumgartner chose a laid-back ensemble of leggings, a white T-shirt, and a cropped jacket. Connor sported a white T-shirt with black shorts, topped off by an "LA" cap, sunglasses, and sneakers.

Their outing sparked a flurry of reactions online. Some critics took to social media with sharp comments. One noted, "Her new boyfriend looks the 'Walmart' version of Kevin Costner, just sayn [sic]."

Another added, "I hope he was an iron-clad prenup and prenup assets protection[sic]." A third lamented, "Her loss," implying that Baumgartner's new relationship couldn't measure up to her previous one. Some even suggested she should "upgrade." Others noted, "He's younger, but not an upgrade."

Yet, not all the comments were negative. Baumgartner's supporters rallied to her side, with one writing, "Good for her." Another cheered, "So happy that you have a chance to find happiness again. You deserve it." One fan even praised Connor, saying, "New boyfriend is gorgeous."

As Baumgartner and Connor's romance continues to capture public fascination, the designer is living life on her own terms. Recent reports reveal that Baumgartner has taken the bold move and relocated closer to her beau, now living just two miles away from his home.

Baumgartner had previously voiced dissatisfaction with her $40,000-a-week Montecito rental during her legal battles for a share of Costner's wealth. While her new home might be a downgrade from her previous one—it's a fresh $3.6 million rental with three bedrooms, a modest backyard, and no pool.

The new house is nestled down a quiet driveway in a leafy corner of their small California town. It is in an area where similar properties rent for $22,000 a month.

Although the couple has yet to move in together, their relationship appears to be growing stronger. They've been spotted together frequently, including a cheerful outing in Calabasas in April, where they enjoyed lunch and shopping.

Connor, a divorced dad of three, is a managing director and co-portfolio manager at Oaktree Capital. The company specializes in infrastructure investing, particularly in the transportation sector.

Earlier this year, both Baumgartner and her ex-husband Costner settled their divorce. This was after she filed in May 2023 following 18 years of marriage. In May, this year Costner candidly addressed how he managed to deal with his highly-publicized divorce.

During an interview with GQ to discuss his grand western epic, "Horizon: An American Saga," Costner felt it was time to "deal with" harsh realities.

Overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of both his professional and personal life, "The Bodyguard" star admitted that he was going through a lot. "So much. Very serious stuff. And those things are very important [...] I have to deal with them on a daily basis, emotionally, historically almost," Costner divulged.

He went on to mention his desire and obligation to tend to "the immediate needs" of his children, Cayden, Hayes, and Grace Costner, whom he shares with Baumgartner.

Instead of fusing about the other facets of his life that have been affected by his divorce, Costner places his beloved kids as his top priority: "I'm not going to list the things—I'm going to stop right there with them. That's my job, looking at that, and dealing with that."

Although he made it clear that his focus amid dealing with his divorce is on his kids, Costner alluded to the adverse effects his highly contentious split has had on his psyche. "I've taken big bites out of life, life's taken big ones out of me," he revealed.

However, the actor remains resolute in not allowing the situation to keep him down, "I'm not going to lose myself because I've been bruised. I have been, but I'm not going to lose myself."

Continuing to display his courageous and tenacious spirit by using the analogy of catching a white whale, Costner added, "I can't let go of this rope no matter how much my heart's on the ground, no matter how broken I may be on a daily basis."

He also promised to make sure "Horizon" succeeds in the film industry. The actor explained that his strength during this tough time came from not wanting to disappoint the many people involved in the project.

"I do have a level of responsibility to those guys that invested with me, to the people that believe in me, to the people [...] willing to postpone other jobs on the hint that I might work. And so it doesn't matter how much water's hitting me in the face, I can't let go of the rope that is this thing," asserted Costner.

Acting out another analogy—this time using the floor to represent an ocean filled with "the snapping jaws of imaginary creatures" and him hanging on to a rope for dear life above them—Costner finished, "There's eight down there that want me. And I'm going to just be a ball of fur if I hit the ground. So I'm up here. I'm as far out as I've ever been."

When Baumgartner filed for divorce last year, sources indicated that the "Yellowstone" actor was taken aback by the action. "It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action," stated a representative of the actor.

Since the filing and the divorce finalization, a lot has transpired in the lives of the ex-couple. While Costner confessed to going through a challenging time, Christine Baumgartner appears to be moving on and putting her divorce behind her.