Over the past year, both Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have reached new heights in their respective careers. Kelce, 34, celebrated a Super Bowl victory, secured a hosting role on the upcoming Prime Video game show “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?”, and became the NFL’s highest-paid tight end. Meanwhile, Swift, also 34, shattered records with her Eras Tour, won her fourth Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and officially joined the billionaires club.
Amid these professional triumphs, the two stars also found love in a story that seems straight out of a Hollywood rom-com. On July 8, 2023, Kelce attended Swift’s concert at Arrowhead Stadium with the hope of giving her his phone number via a handmade friendship bracelet. Although he was unable to deliver the bracelet, he shared his disappointment on his podcast, “New Heights,” two weeks later, calling the move “metal as hell.” Swift was impressed by his candid confession, and what followed was a whirlwind romance.
Their relationship quickly became the talk of the town, with behind-the-scenes matchmakers like sportscaster Erin Andrews and Kelce’s teammate Patrick Mahomes playing Cupid. Swift made headline-generating appearances at Kelce’s games, and the couple shared an epic backstage kiss in Buenos Aires. They were also spotted letting loose at Coachella and going on double dates with famous friends like Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper.
“This has been the best year of both of their lives,” a source exclusively shared with Us Weekly. “Between the Super Bowl and their families meeting and traveling the world together, it’s been quite a ride for Taylor and Travis.”
While both Swift and Kelce are no strangers to fame, the increased public attention was more of a transition for Kelce. “His life has changed significantly with the increased public attention,” said a second source. “Taylor was worried that bringing Travis into her world would scare him away, but he embraced it and handled it so well.” Kelce addressed the newfound attention during an October 2023 press conference, acknowledging the many people who care about Swift and stating, “You’ve got a lot of people that care about Taylor, and for good reason.”
Kelce’s positive attitude towards the attention only made Swift fall in love with him even more. However, there were some growing pains. Shortly after they went public, Kelce moved into a $6 million mansion in Kansas City. “People would show up at his house and leave things on his doorstep,” said a source. “It kind of freaked him out at first. He didn’t feel safe.”
Kelce’s close-knit family, including his mom Donna Kelce, his brother Jason, and his sister-in-law Kylie, helped keep him grounded. “Travis was a star before Taylor, but this has catapulted him to a household name,” said a fourth source. “He has been handling it the best he can. He’s always had good people around him.”
The couple spent months jet-setting around the globe to see each other during his football season and her Eras Tour. Kelce even flew to Argentina for 48 hours to attend Swift’s concert on November 11. “Taylor’s shows are unbelievable,” he told Us at his Kelce Jam festival on May 18. “If you haven’t been to them, you got to try it.” Swift, meanwhile, rushed from Japan to make it to Las Vegas within hours of the Super Bowl.
Now, things have mellowed out a bit since the early, frenzied days of their romance. “Taylor and Travis are very confident in their relationship, so they don’t have to bend over backwards and travel to see each other for less than a day,” said the first source. The second source added, “They’re in an easy era. They have daily FaceTimes when they’re apart and send cute texts to each other. They are wildly in love.”
Despite their hectic schedules, they make it work. “Taylor and Travis both have a lot of demands in their careers, which allows them the time and space to miss each other,” said the third source. The second source mentioned that they also stay connected with “little gestures and gifts to keep the romance alive.”
Sources say Swift has never been happier. “Nobody has ever made Taylor feel this way,” revealed the third source. “Taylor and Travis bring out the best in each other and lift each other up. She absolutely sees this going the distance.” The first source added, “A year in, there is such an ease between them. It seems like they’ve been together longer because they are so in tune.”
Swift will get a three-month break from her Eras Tour between August and November. The first source said she plans on staying at Kelce’s home in Kansas City while he plays in the NFL season. “Taylor’s been having fun decorating his Kansas City place,” said the second source, “and she’s looking forward to the simple joys of being together.”
Friends believe Swift and Kelce are in it for the long haul, but neither is rushing anything. “They are taking things one step at a time,” said the second source, “and enjoying their journey together.”
Source: Us Weekly
