This past week, chronically online Swifties were thrown into a state of chaos and panic when news emerged on social media alleging that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were ‘fake dating’. While Swift has spent much of her celebrity life weathering unfounded rumours and wild speculations, these new leaks may have taken things a bit too far, leaving fans wondering: are Taylor and Travis still together, or are they breaking up?
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are America’s sweethearts. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it: With one a pop princess and arguably the most famous person in the world and the other a star NFL player with three Super Bowl championships under his belt, Tayvis is every romantic comedy trope we wish we could live in real life. Sadly, living a high-profile life comes with its drawbacks — most notably privacy, or a lack thereof.
Celebrities are not your friends, and you have no right to their personal lives
Swift’s love life is the frequent subject of scrutiny, whether from overzealous Swifties or the media. Case in point: Celebrity gossipmonger Deuxmoi’s allegations that Swift and ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn had secretly married. Add onto that some Swifties’ abhorrent behaviour during the Matty Healy era, which saw the launch of the #SpeakUpNow campaign demanding Swift end her relationship with The 1975 frontman. If that sounds crazy, that’s because it is.
Chappell Roan issues a new statement defending herself after the media declared her personal boundaries non-sensical for an artist:
— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 24, 2024
“I chose this career path because I love music and art and honoring my inner child, I do not accept harassment of any kind because I chose this… pic.twitter.com/hLn1bXkjSQ
Take all that into account and it becomes clear that fan culture has gone too far — not just for Swift, but for celebrities in general, whose jobs demand they live life in the spotlight. Any celebrity who has cultivated a devoted fan base has suffered its ill effects, particularly where privacy and safety are concerned. It’s happened to rising pop phenom Chappell Roan, it’s happened to Rihanna, and it has most certainly happened to Taylor Swift. While Swift has always enjoyed a personal relationship with her fans, the parasocial aspect of it has cultivated in some a sense of entitlement — entitlement to Swift’s voice, her opinions, her decisions, and her life.
In no small part, this entitlement has fuelled, in no small part, the drama that seems to constantly surround Swift. And so we arrive at the unwarranted drama and unfair scrutiny surrounding Swift’s picture-perfect romance with Kelce.
So, what happened?
On September 5 2024, a contract supposedly drawn up between Swift and Kelce was leaked on the r/TravisKelceSnark Reddit page. Allegedly drafted by Kelce’s PR firm Full Scope, the multi-page document alleged that Swift and Kelce’s romance had been set up as a PR stunt from the very beginning. In addition, the contract included steps for mitigating fallout and managing media damage in the event of the couple parting ways. It also highlighted the ‘gracious and respectful’ ways in which the couple would address their breakup, likewise, indicating that an official announcement would be made on September 28.
LEAK!!! Travis Kelce’s team call in lawyers over leaked ‘contract’ that claimed to reveal the exact date his relationship with Taylor Swift would end: Fake PR ‘strategy document’ spread online gave illusion their year-long love story was a sham pic.twitter.com/igOoZOsWd8
— Tommy Gabriel (@itstommygabriel) September 4, 2024
The document quickly made the rounds on social media, stirring panic and spreading discord among Swifties who harboured high hopes for the singer’s fairytale romance. Given its dubious origins, it’s understandable that many rational Swifties quickly denounced the document as fake news. The original Redditor claimed they had encountered the document on their friend’s roommates’ SnapChat; however, they have since deleted their account and the post, further adding credence to the belief that it is nothing more than a fabricated attempt at creating drama for five minutes of fame.
While Swift’s camp has yet to address the supposed contract, a source close to the couple have expressed that they are ‘having a good laugh’ over it all. Speaking to The Daily Mail, the source shared, “Taylor was unbothered and quite amused by this. She usually pays these things no mind at all, but this was some hilarious AI realness. It isn’t even worth an actual reaction from her or her team.”
The same cannot be said for Kelce, who has since engaged lawyers to pursue legal action against the perpetrators — not that they are expected to succeed in the hunt. The Chiefs tight end has also vehemently refuted the validity of the contract, calling fake news. Further cementing Kelce’s stance on the matter, his Full Scope representative Jack Ketsoyan followed up with a statement of his own, denouncing the leak as “entirely false and fabricated and… not created, issued, or authorised by this agency.” Ketsoyan also shared that the agency had hired lawyers to “initiate proceedings against the individuals or entities responsible for the unlawful and injurious forgery of documents.”
It bears noting that Swift is currently on a break from touring. The singer has just wrapped up the European leg of her Eras tour, the conclusion of which was marked by USD 31,000 worth of roses from Kelce, who evidently takes his job as Taylor Swift’s boyfriend very seriously. Jokes aside, the leaked document does appear to have thrown the Tayvis romance into an area of unwarranted scrutiny, calling into question the truth and legitimacy of their romcom-coded romance.
While the document in question is evidently faked (who in the world just leaves a bombshell out for unauthorised perusal?), some netizens have accepted it as the gospel truth. In a world where outlandish conspiracy theories are a dime a dozen, it’s very possible that these are the same netizens who think Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis is a cover-up for something more nefarious. In the spirit of giving fair consideration to the two camps, we look at whether Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are breaking up.
Be forewarned: This article discusses speculative content from denizens of the internet.
A case for the affirmative: Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce fake dating and breaking up?
The NFL has gotten a lot more media attention
Since Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce first began dating, NFL viewership figures have surged among teenage girls, increasing by an impressive 53 percent. Additionally, among the 18 to 24 age group, viewership has increased by 24 percent. This phenomenon, aptly named the ‘Swift Bump’, has also resulted in a 20 percent increase in sponsorships for the NFL, reviving the sport and opening it up to a brand-new audience segment that had been hitherto unexplored. Considering these perks, it would make sense for the NFL to manufacture a relationship between the world’s most famous pop star and one of their star players.
Their relationship seems a little bit too picture perfect
By all accounts, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce appear to be immeasurably happy in their relationship together. Some of the longest-lasting celebrity marriages and partnerships have been private — think Freddie Prinze Jr and Sarah Michelle Gellar, Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling, and Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz among others. And while celebrities who are frequently in the public eye can also find happiness — the unions of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Emily Blunt and John Krasinski come to mind — few can thrive in the pressure cooker of scrutiny that is life with Taylor Swift.
With this in mind, it seems a little suspicious that Kelce has managed to maintain his pristine image thus far, having made all the right moves to prove himself worthy of being her man. Whether it was written in the stars or scripted, it sure makes for one thrilling, romantic ride, and we’re here for it.
The Kelces have just become prime pickings for endorsements and movie deals
While the Kelce brothers have long been favourites of the NFL, Travis’ relationship with Taylor has brought the Kelce family to lucrative new heights. According to a report by Edison Research as reported by Forbes, the brothers’ New Heights podcast, which first began airing in 2022, experienced an increase in popularity and listeners after Swift and Kelce began dating. While New Heights was already the most popular sports podcast on Spotify, it further gained traction when Travis and Taylor began dating, even experiencing an increase of 4.5 times among listeners aged 13 and above by the end of 2023. It was also ranked the fourth-biggest podcast in the United States across all platforms in the first quarter of 2024.
Most recently, the Kelce brothers signed an agreement reportedly worth USD 100 million with Amazon-owned podcast streamer Wondery, securing the future of New Heights for the next three years.
Beyond the New Heights podcast, Travis has also become persona grata for endorsement deals and movies alike. Fuelled by his most recent Super Bowl win and his relationship with Taylor Swift, Kelce saw a booming increase to his marketability, with numerous brands reaching out to offer sponsorships, endorsements, and campaign bookings alike. In the wake of his newfound popularity, Kelce also secured roles in television and film, including a gig as a host in Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?
What about that time she yelled at him?
@mrbridgerton Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at Nobu, LA earlier today. ✨ . . . #taylorswift #swifttok #traviskelce87 #traviskelce #tayvis #traviskelcetaylorswift ♬ Too Sweet – Hozier
Taylor Swift is often photographed on idyllic dates with her beau while on break from the gruelling demands of the Eras tour. In one instance this past March, a video of the couple enjoying an alfresco lunch at Nobu in Malibu, California went viral, apparently depicting Swift ‘yelling’ at Kelce. Never mind that the footage clearly shows a woman speaking animatedly, as opposed to aggressively — this isolated incident clearly means the showmance is on the rocks and has been for months now.
Jack Ketsoyan has been guilty of setting up ‘showmances’
Perhaps not damning, but certainly eyebrow-raising is the fact that Jack Ketsoyan, who is Kelce’s PR representative, has admitted to orchestrating ‘showmances’ in the past. Speaking for Mamamia’s The Quickly in 2019, Ketsoyan shared that fake romances were often cobbled together for the purpose of promoting a film or to create a diversion from negative publicity.
Considering the amount of hype the Taylor-Travis relationship has generated for the Eras tour, The Tortured Poets Department, the NFL, and Kelce’s personal marketability, a ‘showmance’ would not be outside the realm of possibility.
Why Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are probably not breaking up
Taylor Swift has nothing to gain from a ‘showmance’
What do you give a woman who has everything she could ever want or dream up? Were it truly a farce, Travis Kelce would have already made millions from the supposed contracted ‘showmance’; however, he has nothing but love, affection, and protection to offer to Swift in return. While Kelce’s net worth (a tidy USD 90 million) is nothing to scoff at, he is nonetheless dwarfed by Swift in this regard, as she officially entered billionaire status earlier this year. Considering Swift has nothing to gain beyond more press for the Eras tour and The Tortured Poets Department, which she is perfectly capable of generating herself, it stands to reason that the Tayvis romance is as real as it gets. Maybe it really is just a “Love Story” for the ages.
No casual scrub would deal with the media scrutiny that comes with dating Taylor Swift for fun
There’s pandering to a demanding girlfriend, and then there’s dealing with the pressure that comes with dating Taylor Swift. Many have tried, and all but Travis Kelce have been defeated by the sheer intensity of media and fandom scrutiny. If a boost to his popularity had been the only thing on his agenda, Kelce could’ve achieved a similar result by choosing another celebrity to date.
Instead, Kelce has proven his mettle time and time again. From his early purchase of a new home with which to offer Swift privacy in their time together, to being her biggest cheerleader in interviews, Kelce has assumed the role of a walking green flag. Beyond joining her overseas sojourns with all the earnestness of a golden retriever, Kelce also gained massive points within the fandom when he joined Swift onstage at the Eras tour, literally showing the world that he brought her back to life after the harrowing heartbreak of “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart.”
Gentlemen, take note. And ladies: Travis Kelce is living proof that if he wanted to, he would.
The document in question looks very fabricated
Beyond the fact that absolutely nobody working in the highly competitive entertainment industry would leave sensitive documents out in the open, the document in question is badly written. Indeed, many fans have since pointed out that it looks suspiciously like the work of AI, with some even calling it a ‘final year school project’.
Closer inspection of the document also reveals plans to post an official statement on Kelce’s official website. However, while Kelce has a page on the Kansas City Chiefs website and an official website for the New Heights podcast, he does not maintain a personal website of his own. It is thus incredibly likely that the document was drafted by someone with no real understanding of Kelce, and thus screams of being a hoax.
Recent Tayvis sightings say they’re in love
Ask anyone with eyes and they’ll tell you that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are in love. Since their earliest public sightings together, the couple have proven that the look of love is all in the eyes, and Kelce’s eyes say he is completely and utterly besotted with his girl. With Swift currently on break from her Eras tour, she and Kelce have been spotted together numerous times over the past week.
taylor swift in just 4 days pic.twitter.com/zeEqyLvLto
— best of swift ❁ (@besttofswift) September 9, 2024
Swift first made a sexy showing in denim at the recent Kansas City Chiefs vs Baltimore Ravens game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 5. She and Kelce then attended the wedding of model Karen Elson and Electric Lady Studios owner Lee Foster in New York City on September 7, before enjoying a date night together the following evening. Most recently, the couple were spotted having a ball at the U.S. Open, singing and dancing together and showing the rest of the world how to have to fun in the face of chaos and drama.
As far as we’re concerned, Tayvis are “Endgame”. And, in all honesty, even if they started out fake dating, our money’s on them actually falling in love and sticking the perfect romcom ending. And no, we will not be taking any questions.
Ultimately, it matters little what the general population believes — hopeless romantics want Tayvis to live happily ever after, whilst chronic pessimists are likely anticipating a Taylor-Travis break up come September 28. The only people who know for sure are Taylor and Travis themselves — one a “Mastermind”, the other her stalwart supporter. Both, as it were, having the last laugh at our expense. And for our tomfoolery and chicanery, we absolutely deserve it.
(Main image: Chiefs/Instagram, Kevin Mazur/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management; featured image: Gotham/GC Images)
This story first appeared here.
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Emmelyn curates and creates content in Kuala Lumpur, where she's spent the past decade building a portfolio comprising copy and video spanning both print and digital platforms. Endlessly fascinated with cookbooks, interior design, aesthetics, and video games, she is also an ardent foodie - a lemon tart, lychee martini, and coffee enthusiast. Her favourite animal is the common wombat. She's written one award winning cookbook.
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