Kevin Costner's Ex-Wife Christine Enjoys PDA with New Boyfriend, While He Debuts Film at Cannes

While Kevin Costner premiered his epic Western "Horizon" at the Cannes Film Festival, his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner was spotted holding hands with her boyfriend, Joshua Connor, in a public display of affection.

Kevin Costner's ex-wife, Christine Baumgartner, has confirmed her relationship with longtime family friend Joshua Connor. The couple was spotted holding hands near her home in Santa Barbara, California, marking their first public display of affection since Costner and Baumgartner finalized their divorce in February after a nine-month court battle.

Meanwhile, across the pond, Costner was overcome with emotion as he debuted his Western epic, "Horizon: An American Saga," at the Cannes Film Festival to a nearly 10-minute standing ovation.

Connor's name became a focal point during Baumgartner and Costner's child custody payment hearing last year when Costner's legal team questioned a $20,000 loan from a "boyfriend" they identified as Josh. Baumgartner testified that Connor was a longtime friend of "7 or 8 years" and that he had given her $20,000, $10,000 of which she gave to her mother.

In July, Baumgartner returned to Hawaii with a group of friends and their children, including Connor and his daughter, who is "best friends" with Costner's daughter, Grace. Baumgartner stated that Connor "paid for the house" during the trip.

Baumgartner and Connor have known each other for years as family friends. During her custody hearing, Baumgartner said that he was not her boyfriend at the time of the trips to Hawaii.

In France, Costner's Western epic premiere was at the forefront of his mind as he returned to the Croisette for the first time in 20 years. Inside the Grand Lumiere Theatre, Costner had tears in his eyes as he received a nearly 10-minute standing ovation following the debut of the first in the four-part series, "Horizon."

"I'm sorry you had to clap that long for me to understand that I should speak," Costner said after taking the microphone. "Such good people, such a good moment – not just for me, for the actors that came with me, for people who believed in me, who continued to work."

Costner continued, "I made this – it's not mine anymore, it's yours. I knew that the minute this was over, and that's the way it should be. I think movies aren't about their opening weekends, they're about their life… about how many times you're willing to share them, and I hope that you do share this movie with your sweethearts, with your children. I feel so lucky, I feel so blessed. And, there's three more."

Costner walked the red carpet with the women of "Horizon," and his son Hayes, who made his acting debut in the Western flick. The first part of the Western saga debuts in theaters on Friday, June 28, while the second part of the drama will be released 49 days later, on Friday, Aug. 16. In addition to starring in the feature film, Costner also directed "Horizon" based on a script he co-wrote with John Baird.