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Analysis by Lisa Respers France, CNN
3 minute read
Published 2:41 PM EDT, Thu October 5, 2023
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
CNN —
Before you start freaking out over the headline, you need to calm down.
Much has been made about how Taylor Swift has helped “put Travis Kelce” on the map. With all due respect to Swift, Kelce wasn’t a total stranger to the world before they began spending time together.
Yet it’s true that since Swift started showing up at the Kansas City Chiefs football player’s games, Kelce has gained more followers on social media, sales of his jersey have increased nearly 400 percent, and ratings for his team games have jumped.
All of which begs the natural question as to what Swift gets out of the deal?
Though neither Swift nor Kelce have said publicly whether the two are anything more than friends, here are some possible theories why she may be enjoying Kelce’s company.
Theory 1: Swift might have been flattered by Kelce shooting his shot
It’s not always easy to ask someone out, especially a pop superstar.
But that’s just what Kelce did.
Back in July, the tight end shared on his podcast “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce,” which he co-hosts with his brother and fellow NFL player Jason Kelce, that he had attempted to slide his digits to the superstar singer during one of her concerts.
Taylor Swift performs at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in 2015.
Swift was born in 1989 in West Reading, Pennsylvania, and grew up on a Christmas tree farm her father bought. She is seen here with her parents, Scott and Andrea Swift.
On her birthday in 2019, Swift shared this photo of herself as a child.
A 13-year-old Swift sings the National Anthem before an NBA game in Philadelphia in 2002.
Swift greets singer Tim McGraw after performing her debut single, titled "Tim McGraw," during the 2007 Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.
Swift sings the National Anthem before Game 3 of the 2008 World Series in Philadelphia.
Swift performs during a sold-out show at New York's Madison Square Garden in 2009. She released her second album, "Fearless," in 2008.
Swift takes pictures with fans on NBC's "Today" show at New York's Rockefeller Center in 2009.
Swift prepares backstage at Madison Square Garden in 2009.
Swift poses for a photo with Miley Cyrus and Lucas Till during filming for "Hannah Montana: The Movie" in 2009. In addition to her musical career, Swift has appeared in a handful of movies through the years.
Swift sings with the Jonas Brothers during a concert in 2009.
Kanye West interrupts Swift as she accepts the award for best female video during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in New York. "Taylor, I'm really happy for you," West said after grabbing the microphone from a clearly stunned Swift. "I'll let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time! One of the best videos of all time!"
Swift drops one of her four Grammys at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles in 2010. That year she won album of the year, best country album, best female country vocal performance and best country song.
Swift sits backstage in Auburn Hills, Michigan, during her Fearless tour in 2010.
Swift performs in Newark, New Jersey, during her Speak Now tour in 2011.
Swift sings for a sold-out crowd in her home state of Pennsylvania in 2011.
Swift performs with James Taylor at Madison Square Garden in 2011. She had two sold-out shows at the venue. Before this performance, Swift told the audience she's named after James Taylor. She also mentions Taylor in her song "Begin Again."
Swift accepts the award for artist of the year at the 2011 American Music Awards in Los Angeles.
Swift crowd surfs at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.
Swift performs during the 2012 MTV EMA's in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2012.
Host Jimmy Fallon appears in a skit with Swift during an episode of "The Tonight Show" in 2014.
Swift and Karlie Kloss walk down the runway during the Victoria's Secret fashion show in London in 2014.
Swift, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian speak during the 2015 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Swift and West appeared to make amends six years after he snatched the mic from her at the 2009 VMAs.
Swift appears in a Saturday Night Live skit with Laraine Newman, Bill Hader, Taran Killam, Kristen Wiig, Keenan Thompson, Fred Armisen, Kerry Washington, Betty White and Bradley Cooper in 2015.
Swift accepts the Milestone Award for Youngest ACM Entertainer of the Year from her mother, Andrea, during the Academy of Country Music Awards in Arlington, Texas, in 2015.
Swift performs onstage at the Staples Center in Los Angeles during her 1989 tour in 2015.
Fans react as Swift performs in Tampa in 2015.
Selena Gomez and Swift attend the 2016 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
Swift attends the "Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology" gala at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2016.
Swift performs onstage during the 2018 Reputation tour in Chicago.
Executive producer and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber works with Swift on the set of the 2019 film "Cats," based on Webber's stage musical. Swift played Bombalurina in the movie.
Brandon Urie and Taylor Swift perform at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. As Swift sang her new single "ME!," some on social media pointed out that it looked a lot like Beyonce's iconic show at Coachella in 2018.
Katy Perry and Swift don costumes for Swift's "You Need to Calm Down" music video in 2019.
Jack Antonoff, Swift and Aaron Dessner perform onstage at 2021 Grammy Awards. The three artists collaborated for Swift's "Folklore" and "Evermore" records.
Swift poses with her album of the year award for "Folklore" at the 2021 Grammy Awards.
Swift performs on Saturday Night Live in November 2021, the day after she released the re-recording of her album "Red."
Swift delivers a commencement speech at New York University in May 2022. She received an honorary doctorate from the university.
Swift performs on stage during an "Eras Tour" concert in Atlanta in April 2023. During the tour, the singer has been credited for boosting local economies and breaking attendance records.
Swift celebrates with her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, after the Chiefs won the AFC Championship in January 2024 and clinched a spot in the Super Bowl.
Swift accepts the album of the year Grammy for "Midnights" in February 2024. She is the first artist to win album of the year four times.
In pictures: Taylor Swift's journey from country icon to pop superstar
“I was disappointed that she doesn’t talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs that she sings,” he told his brother after Jason mentioned he knew Travis had gone to see the show and asked about it. “So I was a little bit hurt I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her.”
How sweet is it that he used the friendship bracelets that have been part of Swift’s “Eras Tour” to try and link up with her? If we think it’s cute, possibly Swift did too.
Theory 2: It just makes sense
If life were high school, Swift would surely be the head cheerleader.
You can’t get more popular than she is at the moment, and who else would the head cheerleader date if not the star football player?
Trust and believe that Kelce was a star before all the Swift mania. From his end zone dances to his fashion, the man has swagger for days.
Homecoming Queen meet Homecoming King.
Also, it’s not like Swift can date just anyone. She needs someone who can hold their own with fame and life in the spotlight. A superstar dating a charming teacher, or a shy architect may be what Hallmark movies are made of, but in real life major celebrities usually stick to dating fellow stars.
Theory 3: It’s totally on brand with Swift songs
At the first game Swift attended to cheer on Kelce, his team won handily and the pair rode off into the night in his convertible.
Convince us that’s not totally a Swift song and music video. We’ll wait.
Her poetic songs are part fantasy, part her reality (at least when it comes to her exes) and all about connecting with her audience. And who doesn’t love love?
When a person becomes as rich and famous as Swift, it’s more difficult for regular people to relate to them. But what’s more relatable than a possible love story?
Theory 4: She may know we need an escape right now
With political upheaval, a climate in crisis, heck even just the day-to-day stress of life, obsessing over a possible relationship between Swift and Kelce kind of feels like a welcome respite from the world. When even the White House is weighing in it’s definitely “a thing.”
From private listening parties to showing support after a tragedy, Swift has consistently shown up for her devoted fan base. She knows what makes them happy and delivers. Could it be she’s now widening her magical net to ensnare the rest of us?
Theory 5: The most obvious reason
Because she’s a grown woman who is free to date whomever she wants.
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