Kevin Costner has addressed the swirling rumors about his relationship with singer Jewel, firmly denying any romantic involvement. During an interview on “The Howard Stern Show” on June 18, the “Yellowstone” star clarified the nature of his relationship with the “Foolish Games” singer. “Jewel and I are friends — we’ve never gone out. Ever,” Costner, 69, stated emphatically.
Costner, who recently finalized his divorce from Christine Baumgartner, emphasized that he and Jewel share a special friendship that he does not want to be tainted by false rumors. “She’s special, and I don’t want these rumors to ruin our friendship because that’s what we have. She’s beautiful enough to go out with,” he added.
The rumors began after Costner and Jewel attended a charity event on Richard Branson’s private island in the Caribbean in December 2023. The event, which also included actress Emma Watson and several non-celebrities, sparked speculation about a possible romance between the two. However, Costner was quick to dispel these rumors, explaining that their interactions were purely platonic.
“I got on a plane with nine people — Jewel was one of them,” Costner explained. “Emma Watson was on there, and seven other people who weren’t celebrities. We were the only three celebrities on an island for three days down there. And then we fly back. She was somebody I just had some tremendous conversations with.”
Costner reiterated that the rumors were unfounded and that he and Jewel had never dated. “The rumor was I went down on a private plane with her. I went back on a private plane [with her]. I was on with nine people, and I don’t want the press to ruin this for us,” he said. “I’ve had conversations with her text-wise, and she’s so smart and she’s been through a lot herself.”
“We have a friendship. We don’t have a romance. We’ve not dated,” Costner added. “She’s beautiful and smart enough for all those things, it just has never happened for us.”
The actor also mentioned that he had to clarify the situation to his children when the rumors first surfaced. Jewel, for her part, had previously denied the dating rumors in an interview with Elle in April, calling Costner “a great person” and acknowledging the intense public fascination.
Speculation about their relationship initially arose when they were seen together in the British Virgin Islands late last year. In one photo, Jewel was even seen sitting on Costner’s lap as he wrapped his arms around her waist. A source for the Daily Mail had claimed that Branson played a role in setting them up, but Costner’s recent statements have put those rumors to rest.
Costner’s divorce from Baumgartner, which was finalized in February 2024, had been a contentious process involving disputes over child support and their prenuptial agreement. The former couple shares three children, while Costner has four more from previous relationships.
Jewel, meanwhile, was married to rodeo cowboy Ty Murray, with whom she shares a 12-year-old son, Kase. Their marriage ended in 2014, and Jewel was briefly linked to Sean Penn in 1995.
Despite the rumors, Costner made it clear that he is currently not in a romantic relationship with anyone. “I like the idea of that,” he told Stern, but emphasized that his connection with Jewel remains strictly a friendship.
Jewel also addressed the rumors in an interview with People magazine in May, stating, “I found love, and I’m not talking about Kevin’s. I’m so happy, irrelevant of a man. It has nothing to do with being in a relationship or not being in one.”
Costner’s recent appearance on “The Howard Stern Show” was part of the promotion for his new movie “Horizon: An American Saga.” Despite the dating rumors, Costner remains focused on his career and his family, making it clear that his relationship with Jewel is nothing more than a close friendship.
