Kevin Costner has finally addressed the swirling rumors about his relationship with singer Jewel. In a candid interview on “The Howard Stern Show,” the “Yellowstone” star clarified the nature of their connection, emphasizing that they are just friends. Costner, 69, expressed his reluctance to speak on the matter earlier, fearing it might jeopardize their friendship.
“Jewel and I are friends — we’ve never gone out,” Costner stated firmly. He elaborated on his hesitation to address the rumors, saying, “She’s special, and I don’t want these rumors to ruin our friendship, because that’s what we have.”
The speculation began when Jewel, 50, posted photos from her annual tennis fundraiser on Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island in November. One group photo included Costner, but they were not standing next to each other. However, TMZ later published pictures showing the two looking cozy, which fueled the dating rumors.
Costner explained that their first meeting happened during a trip to Branson’s island. “I got on a plane with nine people — Jewel was one of them,” he told Stern. “She was somebody I just had some tremendous conversations with.”
He reiterated that their relationship is purely platonic. “We have a friendship, we don’t have a romance, and we’ve never dated,” Costner said. “She’s beautiful and smart enough for all those things, but it just has never happened for us.”
Jewel also addressed the rumors in an interview with Elle in April. “He’s a great person,” she said, acknowledging the public’s intense fascination with their relationship status. She emphasized that her love life isn’t up for public discussion, adding, “I’m so happy, irrelevant of a man.”
Costner’s personal life has been under scrutiny since his split from his wife of nearly two decades, Christine Baumgartner, in 2023. The couple finalized their divorce in September and share three children: Cayden, Hayes, and Grace. Costner also has adult children from previous relationships.
In his conversation with Stern, Costner mentioned that even his children had started to believe the rumors. “I have to explain to my kids, ‘No,'” he said, adding a touch of humor to the situation.
Costner is currently promoting his new film, “Horizon: An American Saga,” which he wrote and directed. Despite the media frenzy, he remains focused on his work and maintaining his friendships.
Jewel, who split from her husband Ty Murray in 2014, shares a son named Kase with him. She has also been vocal about her journey of self-love and healing, especially after her divorce. “Motherhood inspired a whole new level of healing,” she told Elle, highlighting the stability she sought for her son.
Both Costner and Jewel have made it clear that their relationship is based on mutual respect and friendship. They hope that the public will respect their boundaries and allow them to maintain their platonic bond without further speculation.
The Howard Stern Show, where Costner made these revelations, airs on SiriusXM and is available on the SiriusXM app. The interview provided a platform for Costner to set the record straight and focus on what truly matters to him: his friendships and his work.
As the rumors continue to circulate, both Costner and Jewel remain steadfast in their statements, hoping to put an end to the speculation once and for all. Their friendship, built on meaningful conversations and mutual respect, stands strong despite the media’s attempts to turn it into something more.
