Kevin Costner and Jewel’s budding connection is built on a mutual attraction.
The actor, 68, and the singer/songwriter, 49, sparked romance rumors when photos surfaced of the two cozying up to each other at a tennis fundraiser for her Inspiring Children Foundation that was held on Richard Branson’s Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.
An entertainment source tells PEOPLE, “The relationship between Kevin and Jewel is fresh but not brand new. There is very big attraction on both sides.”
The source says Jewel is independent and not into dating for the sake of dating.
“Jewel likes Kevin’s type and Kevin likes to be in a relationship, so this is cool,” says the source. “He is having fun after his contentious divorce. He is glad that is over.”
When Jewel posted about the fundraiser on Instagram Nov. 28, she mentioned Costner’s involvement.
“Every year, my foundation @inspiringchildren and I go to Necker Island to help host a tennis event w @richardbranson to raise funds for our kids,” she wrote. “Amazing players like @geniebouchard come and support us in playing doubles with the folks who come… it’s an incredible time, and one I use to relax, rest and play w my son!”
She added, “@kevincostnermodernwest was kind enough to mentor our kids this year, and Sir Richard was his usual inspiring self- who also plays a mean game of doubles!”
Jewel is mom to son Kase, 12, whom she shares with ex-husband Ty Murray.
Costner’s ex-wife Christine filed for divorce earlier this year, and the pair reached a settlement in September. They share three kids — Cayden, 16, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 13 — and he has four adult children from previous relationships.
In early November, after rumors of a romance between Costner and Reese Witherspoon began online, a rep for Witherspoon denied the claims, saying, “This story is completely fabricated and not true.”