On Wednesday, July 30, actress Reese Witherspoon enjoyed dinner with private equity financier Oliver Haarmann after the pair arrived via helicopter in New York City a night earlier. They were photographed dining at L’Artusi in the West Village, sparking dating rumors.
But a source tells People that Witherspoon and Haarmann are “friends.”
A second insider says the actress “is taking things slow when it comes to dating” since she split with ex-husband Jim Toth.
“She enjoys it but doesn’t want it to be a big focus. She’s busy with work and her son,” they continued. “These are her biggest priorities.”
Witherspoon and Toth were married for 12 years before they announced their divorce in March 2023.
“It is with a great deal of care and consideration that we have made the difficult decision to divorce,” they said in a statement. “We have enjoyed so many wonderful years together and are moving forward with deep love, kindness and mutual respect for everything we have created together…Our biggest priority is our son and our entire family as we navigate this next chapter. These matters are never easy and are extremely personal. We truly appreciate everyone’s respect for our family’s privacy at this time.”
They former couple have one son together, 11-year-old Tennessee. Witherspoon has two children from her marriage to ex-husband, Ryan Phillippe, as well: their 24-year-old daughter Ava and 20-year-old son Deacon.
In August 2023, Witherspoon discussed the differences in the two marriages and how they ended in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar.
“To be able to talk to people directly about what’s going on in my life and just share it in the way that I share great professional experiences or personal experiences, it feels much more authentic to be able to say things in my own voice and not let somebody else control what’s happening,” she said. “Then, of course, there’s speculation, but I can’t control that. All I can do is be my most honest, forthright self and be vulnerable.”
Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.