Amid the swirling rumors of Hollywood, a calm voice emerged in the form of Daniel Starr. Having previously rented a residence from the famous Yellowstone star, Kevin Costner, Starr found himself in the eye of a storm of speculation. Questions were raised about a potential romantic liaison between him and Kevin Costner’s estranged spouse, Christine Baumgartner. Starr, however, was quick to set the record straight.
With a discernible note of empathy, Starr shared his perspective on the tumultuous situation enveloping the former couple, currently navigating the challenging seas of divorce proceedings.
“The entire situation is unfortunate. This is a couple dealing with a split while juggling parental responsibilities. I sincerely hope they can find a resolution that offers peace to everyone involved,” Starr conveyed his sentiments in a conversation with TMZ on June 21.
Unsubstantiated rumors about Starr’s involvement with Baumgartner, a vivacious woman of 49 and a talented handbag designer, were fueled earlier that month. The whispers suggested that Baumgartner had been spending considerable time in Starr’s company shortly after he settled into his rental, neatly tucked away on the couple’s lush Santa Barbara property.
This was according to a report from The Sun, which emerged on June 19, throwing the speculation into high gear.
Starr’s Firm Denial and Early Exit from the Property
Starr remained unflinchingly steadfast when confronted with the potentially damaging allegations of an intimate connection with Baumgartner. He firmly denied the rumors, categorically labeling them as “unfounded.” In his own words, he was “simply a renter fulfilling his obligations,” a man uninterested in the salacious gossip associated with his landlords.
Despite a rental agreement extending until June, Starr vacated the property in March. His reasoning was straightforward, stating he just “had to progress” and hence, chose to depart earlier than agreed. This action, though ordinary, fueled the fire of rumor and speculation that threatened to engulf the trio.
Amid the maelstrom, Starr had only positive words for Kevin Costner, who, at 68, continues to be a beloved figure in Hollywood. Starr labeled him “a genuinely good guy,” asserting his respect and positive regard for the seasoned actor. When pressed further, Starr remained firm, staunchly refuting any romantic involvement with Baumgartner and reiterating his earlier statements.
“In essence, I was a tenant. I had a strictly professional landlord-tenant relationship with Kevin and Christine. There was no personal relationship beyond that,” he emphasized, acknowledging his affable nature but denying any deeper connection with Costner.
With a sense of resolution,
Starr expressed his simple wish: “I just desire tranquility for all parties involved.”
The Aftermath of the Divorce Filing
The rumblings of an alleged affair involving Baumgartner emerged only a month after Us Weekly confirmed, on May 2, that Baumgartner had officially filed for divorce from Kevin Costner. The end of their almost two-decade-long marriage added another layer to the unfolding drama.
Baumgartner’s divorce filing made the date of the couple’s separation public, revealing it as April 11. It also expressed the intention of the estranged pair to secure joint legal and physical custody of their three children: Cayden, 16, Logan, 14, and Grace, 12.
Kevin Costner, a stalwart of the industry best known for his role in Dances With Wolves, and father to daughters Annie, 39, Lily, 36, son Joe, 35, with ex-wife Cindy Silva, and son Liam, 27, with ex Bridget Rooney, issued a poignant statement in response to Baumgartner’s filing, further stoking public interest.
Mounting Tensions over Shared Home and Child Support
The aftermath of the divorce filing has seen tensions rise exponentially. According to an insider speaking to Us, Kevin Costner expressed frustration over Baumgartner’s refusal to vacate their shared abode, complicating a delicate situation. On the other hand, Baumgartner contested that she couldn’t be legally evicted from their home, creating an impasse that only seemed to deepen their divide.
John Rydell, Baumgartner’s attorney, made a public stand against an order request (RFO) to expel Christine and their kids from the home they’ve known their whole lives, as revealed in documents obtained by Insider. In his response, Kevin Costner rebutted claims of evicting his kids, clarifying that he was only seeking alternate living arrangements for Christine, further fueling the dispute.
Baumgartner, a California native, alleged that Kevin Costner’s ‘public attacks’ were designed to pressure her to leave without a temporary child support agreement. According to court documents, Baumgartner is now asking for monthly support of $248,000, citing her lack of “sufficient funding to secure housing” given her “no personal income.”
Kevin Costner, the Oscar-winning actor, and director, with an estimated monthly earning of $1,537,000, translating to nearly a $20 million annual salary, has yet to respond to these requests, leaving the world anticipating the next chapter in this high-profile divorce saga.
Source: Yahoo!
