Kevin Costner's Cold Shoulder: The Drama at Cayden's Graduation

Kevin Costner's Awkward Reunion with Ex-Wife Christine Baumgartner at Son's Graduation: The Bitter Divorce Drama Continues

It was a day of celebration, but for Kevin Costner and his ex-wife Christine Baumgartner, the festivities were laced with tension as they put on a united front for their son Cayden's high school graduation. The Oscar-winning actor, 70, and the former handbag designer, 51, who finalized their messy divorce in February 2024 after a highly publicized court battle, seemed to be keeping each other at arm's length during the event.

Pictures obtained by TheScholarlyNote.com show Costner icily avoiding Baumgartner as they posed for photos with Cayden and his sister Lily. It's clear that despite being over a year since their blockbuster legal showdown, the rift between them hasn't fully healed. In fact, insiders claim that the pair's dynamic is still far from cordial.

"The good days are long gone," an insider revealed to TheScholarlyNote.com. "They obviously knew each other were there but neither made any effort to interact with each other. It was pointless." The source noted that the focus of the day should have been on Cayden's achievement, but instead, the tension between his parents took center stage.

It's no secret that Costner and Baumgartner's relationship has been marred by controversy since they first filed for divorce in May 2023. The drama reached a boiling point when Baumgartner was ordered to vacate Costner's $145 million beachfront estate in Carpinteria, just two months after filing for divorce.

But what really got people talking was the allegations of infidelity that surfaced during their court battle. Baumgartner denied cheating on Costner with her current fiancé Josh Connor, who was once a close friend and neighbor to the couple. However, by January 2024, their romance had become public knowledge, sparking rumors of an affair.

Meanwhile, Costner seems to be embracing his newfound freedom. In May, he was spotted getting cozy with a much-younger brunette at a West Hollywood nightclub. The Dances with Wolves star has also been linked to a string of high-profile women, including singer Jewel and actress Sharon Stone.

As for Baumgartner, she's clearly moved on from her marriage to Costner. She's engaged to Connor and is reportedly planning a tropical wedding just 18 months after their split. The controversy surrounding their relationship continues to simmer behind the scenes, but one thing's for sure – it was all about Cayden on graduation day.

"Stuff like this takes precedence," the insider said. "So, being in the same place at the same time can be challenging, but at least it was buffered by a wonderful and amazing achievement and moment." Cayden, 18, clearly loved having his parents there to support him, and despite their awkward reunion, both Costner and Baumgartner put their differences aside for their son.

The graduation ceremony saw a sea of faces from the blended family, including some of Costner's other children with ex-wife Cindy Silva. Son Liam, 28, was also in attendance, as were daughters Annie, 41, and Lily, who all posed proudly with Cayden.

Baumgartner looked radiant in a floral dress, flashing a wide smile as she posed for photos with Cayden. But despite her upbeat demeanor, it's clear that the tension between her and Costner still lingers.

At one point during the ceremony, Costner was seen watching from the stands alone before relocating to sit beside Lily, where he greeted her with a warm hug. It's a far cry from the cold shoulder he gave his ex-wife throughout the event.

TheScholarlyNote.com has reported on the ongoing drama between Costner and Baumgartner since their split, but it seems that their complicated relationship is still far from over. As one insider put it, "It's better off that way – nobody wants issues or arguments around special moments like this."