Kevin Costner’s Rumored Romance with Public Figure Sparks PR Buzz
Kevin Costner and Hoda Kotb’s Flirty Friendship Has Fans Talking — But Is It Just for Fun?
Kevin Costner’s love life has stayed in the spotlight ever since finalizing his divorce from Christine Baumgartner in September 2023. While he’s been loosely linked to several high-profile women, one of the most talked-about connections is his ongoing, very public flirtation with Today show anchor Hoda Kotb. But according to insiders, this chemistry might be more about clever PR than real romance.
The 70-year-old actor and the 60-year-old TV personality have been playfully fueling rumors for nearly a year. “Hoda and Kevin do the whole flirting thing more for a gag than anything,” a source claimed. “They know it gets people buzzing, and they think it’s hilarious. But neither of them is seriously trying to take it beyond friendship.”
Kotb herself has leaned into the narrative with a wink and a smile. During a February appearance at the Runway for Recovery fashion show in New York City, she joked about their frequent run-ins. “Isn’t it sort of weird that he always ends up where I am?” she said. “I’m just living my life, and there he is. When is it not a coincidence anymore?”
Their Super Bowl meetup added more fuel to the fire, with Costner appearing in Kotb’s Instagram photo carousel, his arm around her shoulder and both of them flashing wide grins. Former Today co-host Savannah Guthrie even chimed in, commenting, “New couple alert!”
The teasing really kicked into gear back in June 2024, when Costner stopped by the Today show to promote Horizon: An American Saga. Co-host Jenna Bush Hager pointed out the noticeable spark between the two, and by July, fans were openly “shipping” the pair. When one viewer asked Kotb how she felt about it, she quipped, “Well, if the viewers want it…”
The show’s crew got in on the fun by airing a slow-motion montage of their flirty exchange—complete with soft music—which made Kotb blush as she watched herself tuck her hair behind her ear while Costner gave her a warm hug. “Y’all are ridiculous,” she laughed. “The slow motion and the music really helped.”
While it would make for an adorable pairing, it seems this “almost-romance” is all in good fun. For now, Costner and Kotb appear to be enjoying the attention—and playing the PR game like pros.
