Amid ongoing media speculation about their relationship, Kevin Costner has firmly stated that he and Jewel are not romantically involved.
During an appearance on “The Howard Stern Show” on Tuesday, Costner clarified that while he and Jewel have had “tremendous conversations” in recent months, they have never dated.
“We have a friendship, not a romance,” the “Yellowstone” star explained. “She’s beautiful and smart enough for all those things. It just has never happened for us.”
Costner emphasized the importance of their friendship, saying, “She’s special, and I don’t want these rumors to ruin our friendship, because that’s what we have.”
The rumors of a romance between Costner and Jewel began in December after photos of them appearing close in the British Virgin Islands.
At the time, reports suggested there was a “very big attraction on both sides” and that their relationship was “fresh but not brand new.”
These rumors surfaced not long after Costner’s split from his wife of 19 years, Christine Baumgartner, with their divorce finalized in February.
Jewel remained vague, simply describing him as “a great person” and acknowledging the intense public interest.
In his conversation with Stern, Costner mentioned that even some of his seven children had started to believe the rumors about his relationship with Jewel, prompting him to clarify the situation to them. “I have to explain to my kids, ‘No,'” he joked.
Costner, an Oscar winner for 1990’s “Dances with Wolves,” is currently promoting his new film, “Horizon: An American Saga,” which he wrote and directed. The film is set to hit theaters next week.