John Travolta's New Love Revealed — And It's One of the World's Biggest A-List Actresses 

John Travolta is quietly stepping back into the world of romance after years of private grief – and friends tell OK! the person capturing his attention is none other than long-time Hollywood confidante Kim Basinger.

Travolta, 71, whose career spans Grease, Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction, has largely lived out of the spotlight since the death of his wife of 19 years, the actor Kelly Preston, who died in 2020 after a two-year b------ cancer battle.

The loss followed the death of their son Jett at 16 in 2009, leaving Travolta to focus on raising their two younger children, Ella Bleu, 25, and Benjamin, 14, while describing their grieving process as a "personal and private journey."

According to friends, nearly six years on, those closest to him believe he is ready to consider a new chapter.

His connection to Basinger, 71, stretches back decades. Travolta and the former big-screen pin-up were first photographed together at the NATO theater awards in 1983, later presenting an award at the Golden Globes in 1999 and starring opposite each other in the 2004 drama A Love Song for Bobby Long. But their long friendship, sources say, has recently taken on a new significance.

One insider close to Travolta said, "He's long held a real fondness for Kim, but this is the first time he seems truly willing to explore what might be possible."

The source added: "She's brought a sense of comfort back into his life in ways she probably doesn't even know."

Another acquaintance who has known Travolta for years said: "Even early on, you could tell she made an impression on him. Kim has this steady, soothing energy that really connects with him, particularly after all he's endured."

They said friends had begun "nudging John" toward the idea of dating again.

For Basinger, the attention comes more than two decades after her turbulent divorce from Alec Baldwin, now 67, whom she married in 1993 and divorced in 2002. Their custody dispute over their daughter Ireland, 30, became tabloid fodder, particularly after the leak of Baldwin's now-infamous voicemail calling his then-11-year-old child a "rude, thoughtless little pig."

Earlier this year, Basinger reflected on the long arc of reconciliation for the actor – who was rocked by the on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins – saying: "I have great respect for where he is today, and his family. You know, we don't spend Christmases and holidays or see each other very much. But we talk."

Basinger, who has spoken openly about her struggles with agoraphobia, has kept her personal life largely private since the divorce.

After years of remaining single, she began a relationship with stylist Mitch Stone in 2014, and friends say she remains committed to that partnership.

Those in Travolta's circle insist their encouragement is rooted in optimism rather than expectation she will kill that romance.

One friend said, "John isn't the kind of man to interfere in anyone's life – that's just not his way. But those around him feel Kim should at least be aware that the possibility is there if circumstances ever shift."

Those who have observed his recent interactions with Basinger describe an ease between them. "There's a noticeable lift in his mood after they talk," said another source. "That kind of rapport is rare to come by, especially in this industry."

They added that the pair's shared preference for privacy – Basinger's quiet life in L.A. and Travolta's limited public appearances this year, including at the Living Legends of Aviation Awards – has made their renewed closeness feel "natural," according to sources.

For now, friends say the next move is Travolta's. One said, "He's at last opening up to the idea of love again – and for him, that in itself is a major step forward."