Setting the record straight. Kelly Clarkson’s response to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s romance was never meant to “bash” their relationship, the country singer revealed in a statement on social media.
On October 21, 2023, the “Stronger” singer took to Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) to respond to claims that she was taking shots at Swift and Kelce’s budding romance during a recent episode of her daytime talk show. “Just a quick public service announcement everybody since this seems to be breaking news…” Clarkson began her message. “Do not fall prey to clickbait, trash reporters twisting the facts again. I did not bash anyone’s romance. I am pro romance. Yay romance.”
She continued, “Did y’all even watch what I actually said on my show? I just said I want to watch football when I tune in to watch football. Seems an appropriate request. Okay, carry on, and GO COWBOYS!”
Clarkson’s clarification comes just days after she joked about Swift and Kelce’s relationship on her talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show. She talked about all the recent NFL coverage of the pair with her guest star, Saturday Night Live comedian Bowen Yang, during an episode that aired on October 19, 2023.
“It’s not hilarious how it is literally taking over the NFL for people that like watching sports now. It’s like you’re watching Housewives while you’re watching,” she said. “They’re just talking about gossip things and you’re like, ‘So, what about the play?’”
As for Swift and Kelce, the pair’s romance has continued to make headlines ever since they seemingly confirmed their relationship at Kelce’s home game with Kansas City Chiefs on September 24, 2023. Swift attended the game at Arrowhead Stadium, where she was photographed cheering side by side with Kelce’s mom, Donna. In the weeks to follow, the “Cruel Summer” singer has been spotted at a number of games in support of the Chiefs tight end.
Swift and Kelce have also started taking their relationship outside of the stadium. The pair recently spent the weekend together in New York City, appearing separately on Saturday Night Live and later stepping out in the city for a PDA-filled date night. During a recent episode of his “New Heights” podcast with his brother, fellow NFL player Jason Kelce, Swift’s beau even hinted at his weekend with the Midnights singer.
Kelce’s brother asked him about his experience with Swift’s security team. He described the singer’s security detail as “great,” but still admitted that his own protective instincts were kicking in while they were together. “I feel like whenever I’m on a date I’m always having the sense of like, I’m a man in the situation, I’m like protective, yeah for sure,” Kelce said. “You always kind of have that feeling, or that self-awareness, I guess.”
A source who spoke to Us Weekly seemed to confirm that Swift appreciates Kelce’s protective nature. “He makes her feel safe and protected, and at the same time, he supports her independence and success,” the source said. “Things are going really well.”
The insider also shared that Swift is already “falling for him.” “Travis is different from anybody Taylor has dated before, and she is falling for him more and more as the days go by,” the source added. “[He] goes out of his way to make Taylor feel special in any way he can.”
People shared a similar report from Kelce’s point of view, with one source telling the publication, “Taylor’s unlike anyone Travis has dated before. It was very unexpected for his friends, but he’s so into her and very, very happy.”
“Some people thought he was just joking around about the bracelet and having a crush on her earlier this summer, but he was serious about it,” the source continued, referring to Kelce’s viral comments about trying to give Swift a bracelet with his phone number on it when she performed at Arrowhead Stadium during the summer of 2023. “[They’re] having a great time getting to know one another [and] have introduced some of their friends to each other.” No bashing there, at least!
