Kevin Costner’s pals setting up actor on dates to have ‘good rebound fun’ and regain self-respect

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kevin Costner may be the most eligible bachelor in Hollywood at the moment following his divorce from jewelry designer Christine Baumgartner.

Friends are now attempting to arrange for the 'Yellowstone' actor, 69, to go "on several dates with girls" to have "some good rebound fun" as sources revealed to Life and Style magazine that Costner's been aiming to regain much-needed self-esteem in the process.

Kevin Costner's friends 'arranging dates for him and setting him up'

'Horizon' actor Kevin Costner recently boasted that he "knows how to meet the ladies" in a recent interview, proving that he is serious about getting back into the dating world but sources claimed that he is not as "desperately pathetic as people think".

Costner was romantically involved with singer Jewel, 50, following his divorce filing from his ex-wife Baumgartner in 2023. Despite being spotted together on multiple occasions, the duo denied having a romantic relationship.

Costner is "not quite as desperately pathetic as people think, he’s learned his lesson getting too carried away like he did with Jewel", the source told Life and Style.

They added, "He’s been on several dates with girls who are trusted and vetted by friends and having some good rebound fun."

According to the insider, Costner "took it badly when Jewel gave him the brush off and he’s been moping since the divorce".

His friends have been "arranging dates for him and setting him up".

"He’s got a social life again. They were sick of seeing him gripe and now he’s definitely got his self-respect and sexy spark back," the source concluded.

Although it doesn't appear like Costner has actively sought any romantic relationship, an insider earlier divulged the traits that the 'Field of Dreams' star values in an ideal partner.

"Kevin’s not opposed to dating an actress, but he wants a woman who wants to be loved — not one who’s on the fence about having a real relationship," the insider said in July.

They added, "She must love kids, have a career of some kind, and she must be open to signing a prenup."

Fans 'ship' Kevin Costner and Hoda Kotb following his 'Today' appearance

Kevin Costner spilled the beans on his dating life in an interview with Entertainment Tonight on October 17 when interviewer Rachel Smith claimed fans were "shipping" him and 'Today' co-host Hoda Kotb.

Since they appeared together on the show earlier this year, it appears that Hoda, 60, is the most popular choice to date Costner. In the virtual interview with Entertainment Tonight, Costner was asked about the possibility, and he did not dismiss it.

Costner remarked on the idea of dating Hoda, "Well look, I’m not on a national dating service. I appreciate the good will. She’s been great to me."

"When I go back there … people treat me well. They treat me good. And she’s got a spark and we’ve never had coffee together," he added.

Costner further responded in a fairly amusing way when reporter Smith volunteered to be his "matchmaker" and set up a date. He answered, "Look, you know, I know how to meet girls if I have to."

The two would make a sweet couple, but Costner reportedly does not want people interfering in his romantic life, given his widely publicized acrimonious divorce.

Costner responded to the possible romance following Hoda's July appearance on 'Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen' where the anchor also weighed in on the same possibility.

One fan asked Hoda at the time, "How do you feel about viewers ‘shipping’ you and Kevin Costner after he appeared on Today last month? And have the two of you connected since?" to which Kotb replied, "Wait what?"

She admitted that she was ignorant of the matter after Andy clarified that "viewers want" Costner and Hoda to date. She answered, "I have never heard that, not one time."

Her 'Today' co-host Savannah Guthrie responded, "Well, you heard it now, you up to it?"

Savannah pushed Hoda to "give the people what they want," to which Hoda cheerfully replied, "Well, if the viewers want it."