Kevin Costner’S New Socal Romance: Who’S Kelly Noonan Gores, His Casual Flame?

Kevin Costner’s Back in the Game with a SoCal Vibe

After a messy, headline-grabbing divorce, Kevin Costner is switching gears and getting back out there on the LA dating scene. The Yellowstone star had tongues wagging with rumored flings - like that cozy moment with singer Jewel at a charity event - but it seemed like he was riding solo for a while. Now, word on the street is that he’s got a new lady in his life, and she’s got some serious Hollywood-adjacent cred.

According to sources spilling to PEOPLE, Costner is casually “seeing” director and producer Kelly Noonan Gores. The two connected through mutual pals, and while it’s not red-carpet-official yet, insiders are calling it “very chill.”

“Kelly thinks Kevin’s got this magnetic charm - he’s fascinating and just a cool dude to be around,” a close source dished.

Meet Kelly Noonan Gores: More Than Just a Pretty Face

So, who’s the woman catching Costner’s eye? Kelly Noonan Gores, 46, isn’t just another SoCal starlet - she’s been in the entertainment game since she was a kid, starting at age 7. She’s since traded acting for producing, launching Elevative Entertainment with a mission to create “conscious media” that uplifts and inspires.

Her resume shines with the 2017 documentary Heal, which she wrote, directed, and produced - snagging awards along the way. She also penned a companion book and, per her bio, loves meditating, hitting the beach for some nature vibes, and being a devoted mom to her 6-year-old daughter, Riley.

Beyond her creative hustle, Kelly’s a bit of a wanderer at heart - think road trips up the Pacific Coast Highway or jet-setting to far-off spots. Her life’s got that laid-back, Manhattan Beach energy (where she’s based), but it hasn’t been all sunshine and surf lately.

Shared Struggles: Divorce Drama and Life’s Curveballs

Both Costner and Gores are coming off some heavy personal chapters. Kelly finalized her split from billionaire Alec Gores in 2024 after eight years of marriage, a breakup she called “excruciating” on her podcast, Heal with Kelly. Even though she started the convo, she shared that neither wanted the divorce, making it a heartbreaking ordeal for both.

On top of that, Kelly faced another gut punch when her Pacific Palisades home - a ritzy coastal neighborhood in LA for those not in the know - was lost to the devastating LA wildfires. A source told PEOPLE that dating isn’t her top priority right now; she’s all about rebuilding her life, focusing on Riley, and prioritizing her own wellness after a rough year.

Costner, meanwhile, knows a thing or two about high-profile splits. His 2024 divorce from Christine Baumgartner was pure tabloid gold - court battles, money disputes, and the added sting of her quick romance with Josh Connor, a former buddy of Costner’s, who reportedly popped the question earlier this year in Santa Barbara.

Making It Work: From Carpinteria to Aspen

Despite their busy lives and past dramas, Costner and Gores are finding ways to connect. He’s chilling up in Carpinteria - a quiet beach town near Santa Barbara - while she’s holding it down in Manhattan Beach, a trendy surf spot south of LA. Distance ain’t a dealbreaker, though; sources say they both pop up in Aspen often, sharing friend circles that make casual hangouts easy.

They’ve got more in common than just mutual haunts. Parenthood is a big bond - Costner’s got seven kids, including three teens (Cayden, 17; Hayes, 15; and Grace, 14) with Baumgartner, plus four grown children from past relationships. Kelly, with her young daughter, likely vibes with him over the joys and chaos of raising kids.

For now, it’s all low-key - no Malibu mansion cohabitation or Hollywood power-couple buzz. They’re just “getting to know each other,” per Us Weekly, and taking it slow while juggling their own worlds.

Costner’s Post-Divorce Dating Whirlwind

Before Gores came into the picture, Costner’s love life was a rollercoaster of rumors. After his split from Baumgartner dominated the news with messy court drama, he was linked to everyone from Jewel - after a flirty moment at a tennis fundraiser - to even Jennifer Lopez (total fake news, FYI). Until now, nothing stuck.

Sources told Parade earlier this year that Costner’s inner circle was playing matchmaker, with his agent setting him up on dates as early as last spring. It’s clear the man’s got options, but this casual thing with Gores might just be the mellow SoCal romance he needs after all the chaos.

Will this duo heat up into something more, or keep cruising on the down-low? Stick with us for the latest on this budding Hollywood connection - we’re keeping tabs on every beachside brunch and Aspen getaway!