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Even in the world of modern fan bases, Taylor Swift’s fans stand out for their unwavering dedication to their favorite artist. However, in the last year, they have exceeded expectations by filling stadiums for her Eras tour and flocking to theaters for her concert film, often attending multiple times. Now, the Swifties are also showing support for her new boyfriend Travis Kelce, who plays as a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, by tuning in to NFL games.
Ever since they started dating last summer, Swift has been a regular presence at the Chiefs’ games this season. She is often seen in the box with Kelce’s family, and her presence has drawn a large number of fans to the stadium. The speculation surrounding their relationship has reached a high point, with rumors of a possible proposal at the upcoming Super Bowl game between the Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. It is believed that Swift will make the trip from Tokyo to attend the game.
Swift and Kelce’s public relationship stands in contrast to her previous private relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn. Kelce’s attempts to pass his number to Swift at her Kansas City show in July were unsuccessful, and he joked about it on his podcast, saying he was leaving the decision up to her. Swift caught wind of this and in October, after attending her first Chiefs game, Kelce purchased a $6m mansion in Missouri to allow for more privacy. The following month, he supported Swift at her performance in Buenos Aires, where she gave a shout out to her “guy on the Chiefs” by amending the lyrics to her song Karma. This moment was captured on film, showing Swift running off stage and into Kelce’s arms.
In the last six months, we have witnessed more of Swift’s presence with Kelce compared to her six-year relationship with Alwyn. As a result, Swift and Kelce have become a highly recognized couple in the US and potentially globally.
The focus on these individuals extends beyond just their fanbases, showcasing our long-standing fascination with love and famous pairs to associate it with. However, in this era of constant social media monitoring, many have either lost their appeal or retreated from the spotlight. It is noteworthy that businesses have had to rely on former relationships for their highly anticipated Super Bowl advertisements, such as Uber bringing back Ross and Rachel from Friends.
Similar to the famous couple Posh and Becks, Swift and Kelce’s relationship represents a classic tale of two celebrities in love. They embody the archetype of the accomplished homecoming queen (or, as Swift likes to label herself, the studious cat enthusiast on the sidelines) and the kind-hearted football star.
Kelce’s previous posts depict a pure image of enjoying the small things in life, such as feeding squirrels and listening to MGMT’s “Electric Feel.” Similarly, Swift is beloved by her fans for her inner goofiness. She may be the only recipient of Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” award to genuinely and unashamedly mention Harry Potter in her response.
Reworded: Swift and Kelce, as a couple, are likable for several reasons – both are 34 years old (a respectable age), excelling in their professions, and conforming to conventional standards of attractiveness and white ethnicity. With the support of the worldwide sports and entertainment industries, they appear unbeatable. It’s not unexpected that some Trump supporters are suggesting their relationship is a political ploy, orchestrated to help Biden win the election (which Swift publicly endorsed in 2020). The New York Times has dismissed this theory as “ridiculous.”
Hunter Harris, a gossip columnist, believes that the relationship between the woman who recently won album of the year at the Grammys and the man who is about to win the Super Bowl is almost too good to be true. It seems like an unlikely coincidence that these two successful individuals are dating.
Their fans, at least, are buying it – and quite literally. In terms of brand awareness, based on social media posts and press coverage, Swift’s presence at games is estimated to have boosted the Chiefs’ profile by a reach worth $331m (£260m), as well as driving a 20% surge in sponsorship.
In the meantime, there has been a significant increase in the number of young women watching the NFL this season, with an estimated 2 million additional viewers tuning in to a single Chiefs game. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Swift has accomplished the seemingly impossible feat of making the NFL even more popular.
The impact of Taylor Swift, often compared to that of large corporations or even countries, is evident in her widespread discussion. In November, she was attributed (along with Beyoncé) to a surprising 5% increase in US GDP. The Eras tour has already made history, earning $1 billion in revenue with almost a full year remaining.
Kelce is similarly ambitious, having signed with a management agency when he was still in college for a shot at being “as famous as The Rock”. You can see why, says Harris: “He’s charismatic and has the gift of the gab.” His new relationship has helped to hasten stardom along, with offers of TV appearances and film scripts. At one point Kelce was said to be gaining 124,000 new followers on X every time Swift attended one of his games.
Kelce may have 95 million followers compared to Swift Inc’s 1.2 million, making it unlikely for Swift Inc to gain more traction. Nonetheless, the merger has brought some advantages for her. It has put an end to her brief romance with Matty Healy, the controversial singer of the 1975, which left many of her fans feeling betrayed. Additionally, it has solidified her position as the most well-known woman in the world, after a period of being relatively private. In fact, the recent release of information from sources allegedly “close to Swift” claiming that her boyfriend Alwyn was threatened by her success suggests that she may have grown tired of maintaining a low profile as well.
After an eventful year, Swift’s love life has changed the way she is perceived by the public. She has gone from being seen as a dominating and overly materialistic pop star to a young woman who is happily in love.
In 2022, there was controversy surrounding Swift’s impact on global emissions due to her frequent use of a private jet. However, on Tuesday, she teamed up with Elon Musk to potentially take legal action against a college student who shared information about their flights. Prior to this, media coverage focused on whether Swift’s jet would allow her to travel from Tokyo to the US in time to watch her boyfriend win the Super Bowl.
Even with all the attention, Harris is skeptical that the relationship is genuine. While it may have initially been a publicity stunt, she argues that Taylor Swift is already incredibly famous and doesn’t need Travis Kelce to boost her fame. In fact, Harris believes this could lead to Swift becoming overexposed.
Regardless of the balance between work and leisure, “Tayvis” embodies the classic American love story in multiple ways: highly appealing, slightly saccharine, and generously portioned. It speaks to a current era lacking in romance and fairy tales that we eagerly consume and crave more. As Taylor Swift famously sang, it’s a love story – so why not say yes?
Source: theguardian.com
