Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce, have continued to spark romance speculation after the singer attended the player’s game on Sunday and joined his mother, Donna.
The professional NFL star, 33, first expressed interest in the Grammy winner, also 33, back in July after he stopped by her Eras Tour concert – but his plans to give the singer his number didn’t exactly pan out.
Earlier this week on Thursday, Kelce addressed romance rumors that had begun circulating between him and Swift during an interview on The Pat McAfee Show and revealed that he ‘threw the ball in her court.’
‘We’ll see what happens in the near future,’ the sports player added, and it appeared that the Bad Blood hitmaker took the next step by cheering him on in a VIP section with his mom at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
As their rumored romance shakes up social media and caused an excited frenzy among fans, here is a deep dive into their relationship history over the years.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Joe Jonas: July 2008-October 2008
Public romance: Taylor dated Joe in the early days of her singing career back in 2008, but sadly split after only a few months together; seen in September 2008
Taylor dated Joe in the early days of her singing career back in 2008, but sadly split after only a few months together.
Shortly after the split, the singer opened up on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and revealed that Joe had broken up with her over a 25-second phone call.
‘Some day, I’m gonna find somebody really, really, really great, who’s right for me,’ the singer stated.
‘When I find that person that is right for me, he’ll be wonderful and when I look at that person, I’m not even gonna be able to remember the boy who broke up with me over the phone in 25 seconds when I was 18,’ she added.
Fans have speculated that her track titled, Forever & Always, from her album Fearless was possibly written about her ex, as well as Mr. Perfectly Fine, which appeared as a Vault track on her Fearless (Taylor’s Version) album.
But in 2015, Joe revealed he harbored no bad blood with Taylor during an interview with Access Hollywood, admitting that having a song written about you goes with the territory of dating a musician.
In 2019, Taylor notably apologized to the actor for putting him ‘on blast’ during her Ellen DeGeneres interview.
And earlier this year in May, Joe gave an update on his relationship with Swift during an interview on the Dax Shepherd Armchair Expert podcast, per Billboard.
He admitted, I’m cool with Taylor. We’re cool.’ In regards to her devoted fanbase (Swifties), he stated, ‘I hope to think they like me…No one f***s with the Swifties, you know?’
Taylor Lautner: August 2009-November 2009
Meeting on set: Swift and Lautner dated back in 2009, having first met while filming the upcoming ensemble romantic comedy Valentine’s Day, where they shared an on-screen kiss
Reunited: The two shared an embrace on stage in celebration of his appearance in her new music video called I Can See You, which also featured Joey King; seen in July
Swift and Lautner dated back in 2009, having first met while filming the upcoming ensemble romantic comedy Valentine’s Day, where they shared an on-screen kiss.
She described the moment as ‘life-changing,’ and he appeared equally smitten, saying he definitely considered her ‘his type.’
When quizzed about their relationship on a U.S. radio show at the time, the Love Story singer played it coy. She said, ‘I don’t know, he’s an amazing guy and we’re really close… and ah… yep.’
However it was a mere two months before their relationship was over.
‘He liked her more than she liked him. He went everywhere he could to see her, but she didn’t travel much to see him,’ a source told Us Weekly at the time. ‘They decided they were better as friends.’
It has long been rumored that Swift wrote Back To December about her 2009 relationship with Lautner.
However, the two appear to be on good terms, with Lautner notably attending her Eras Tour concert in Kansas City in July.
The two shared an embrace on stage in celebration of his appearance in her new music video called I Can See You, which also featured Joey King.
John Mayer: November 2009-February 2010
In the past: John Mayer reportedly dated Taylor from December 2009 through February 2010 when he was 31 and she was 19; seen in December 2009 in NYC
John Mayer and Taylor Swift notably collaborated on the 2009 track titled, Half Of My Heart, and later that same year in December, were reportedly romantically linked.
At the time, the Your Body Is A Wonderland singer was 31, and Swift was 19.
However, only a few months later in February 2010, the two singers went their separate ways. In October 2010, Taylor released Speak Now, which included a song called, Dear John, which fans speculated to be about her split from Mayer.
The name of the song as well as lyrics recalling her age (19) at the time of the romance appear to lead to the conclusion that is is fact about John and their rocky but brief romance, although the songstress never confirmed it was about him.
The timing of the song also sparked speculation that it had been written about John. She released the song in October 2010 on her Speak Now album, eight months after their reported split.
Some lyrics further backed up the rumors, such as: ‘Dear John, I see it all now that you’re gone/Don’t you think I was too young to be messed with?/The girl in the dress, cried the whole way home’ and ‘Don’t you think nineteen’s too young/To be played by your dark, twisted games when I loved you so?/I should’ve known.’
Mayer later dropped a single called, Paper Doll, in 2013, which has been speculated to be a rebuttal to Taylor’s Dear John song.
Lyrics such as, ‘You’re like twenty-two girls in one/And none of them know what they’re runnin’ from,’ is speculated to be a reference to her Red album that contains the track, 22.
‘Someone’s gonna paint you another sky,’ has been said to be a possible reference to Taylor’s Dear John lyrcis, ‘You paint me a blue sky/And go back and turn it to rain.’
Jake Gyllenhaal: October 2010-December 2010
Previous relationship: Swift and Gyllenhaal made headlines when they dated for just three months in the fall of 2010, when he was 29 and she was 20; seen in April in L.A.
Swift and Gyllenhaal made headlines when they dated for just three months in the fall of 2010, when he was 29 and she was 20.
Sources told tabloids at the time that it was ‘serious,’ and they were even spotted together over Thanksgiving weekend.
Nearly two years after they split, Swift released Red, which included track number five, All Too Well, with allusions to the actor.
In the original lyrics, Swift sings about taking a trip upstate with her romantic partner, leaving her scarf at his sister’s house, dancing in the kitchen, and falling in love before it all ended.
She later teased on numerous occasions that the song as she originally wrote it lasted about ten minutes, but verses were cut for time.
Gyllenhaal, though, denied knowing anything about being featured on her album. ‘Do I [have a song]? I don’t know,’ he told Howard Stern in 2015.
In a re-recorded version, Swift released a 10-minute long, deeply personal version of All Too Well, which offered added new dramatic details in recounting their romance, singing that she was in ‘hell’ and felt ‘shame.’
Conor Kennedy: July 2012-September 2012
First linked: Taylor and Conor – the son of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the late Mary Kennedy – were first spotted together at the Kennedy family home in Hyannisport in July 2012
Taylor and Conor – the son of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the late Mary Kennedy – were first spotted together at the Kennedy family home in Hyannisport in July 2012.
But the summer romance barely lasted three months. Insiders said Taylor – who was four years older than Connor – freaked the 18-year-old by coming on too strong – and because of her apparent obsession with his famous family.
‘Conor’s just an 18-year-old kid and wasn’t ready for anything super serious,’ a pal told RadarOnline.com.
‘But Taylor is looking for her soulmate and it kind of freaked him out with how strong she came on,’ the insider went on.
In September, it was reported that the two had ‘quietly’ broken up. At the time of the pair’s split, a source informed Us Weekly, ‘It was just a distance thing. No hard feelings. They’re fine.’
Harry Styles: November 2012- January 2013
‘Head over heels’: Fledgling couple Harry and Taylor dated from November 2012, with a source telling The Sun at the time, ‘Harry is head over heels for Taylor…’; seen in December 2012
Message: Years after their split, Harry interviewed with journalist Cameron Crowe for Rolling Stone and was asked if he had a message for his ex, Taylor; the former couple seen reuniting at the Grammy awards in February 2023
Fledgling couple Harry and Taylor dated from November 2012, with a source telling The Sun at the time, ‘Harry is head over heels for Taylor and even admitted he loves her while they were in the Big Apple.’
On New Year’s Eve, Swift performed in Times Square for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest and the former couple reportedly shares a kiss to properly ring in the new year.
Shortly after, they whisked themselves away for a trip to the Caribbean, with Swift leaving first without the former One Direction star. News of their split came to light on January 7, 2013.
At the time it was reported she had ended their fling after an angry row during their New Year’s vacation.
He is largely believed to be the inspiration for her tracks Style and Out Of The Woods, both off of the album 1989.
In 2015, she admitted she always knew her relationship with Harry was doomed for fail.
Years after their split, Harry interviewed with journalist Cameron Crowe for Rolling Stone and was asked if he had a message for his ex, Taylor. ‘Certain things don’t work out. There’s a lot of things that can be right, and it’s still wrong.’
‘In writing songs about stuff like that, I like tipping a hat to the time together. You’re celebrating the fact it was powerful and made you feel something, rather than “this didn’t work out, and that’s bad.”‘
‘And if you run into that person, maybe it’s awkward, maybe you have to get drunk … but you shared something. Meeting someone new, sharing those experiences, it’s the best s**t ever. So thank you.’
Calvin Harris: March 2015-June 2016
Short-lived: Taylor is rumored to have started their relationship after meeting the hunk at a BRIT Awards after party in London in February 2015 but ended up splitting in 2016; seen in May 2015
Taylor is rumored to have started their relationship after meeting the hunk at a BRIT Awards after party in London in February 2015.
However the couple ended up splitting in 2016 after a very public romance, with reports stating the relationship had ended because he was ‘jealous’ of the superstar singer’s success.
Calvin later accused Taylor’s team of leaking that she had secretly written the lyrics for his hit track with Rihanna, This Is What You Came For.
He tweeted at the time, ‘Hurtful to me at this point that her and her team would go so far out of their way to try and make ME look bad at this stage though.’
‘I figure if you’re happy in your new relationship you should focus on that instead of trying to tear your ex bf down for something to do.’
‘I know you’re off tour and you need someone new to try and bury like Katy [Perry] ETC but I’m not that guy, sorry. I won’t allow it. Please focus on the positive aspects of YOUR life because you’ve earned a great one. God bless everyone have a beautiful day.’
Calvin later admitted to GQ ‘all hell broke loose’ when he split from Taylor. ‘Now I see that Twitter thing as a result of me succumbing to pressure.’
‘It took me a minute to realize that none of that matters. I’m a positive guy. For both of us it was the wrong situation. It clearly wasn’t right, so it ended, but all of the stuff that happened afterwards.’
Tom Hiddleston: June 2016-September 2016
Brief fling: Taylor and Tom Hiddleston shocked fans around the world after they were spotted locking lips on a beach in June 2016 – marking the beginning of their romance; seen in July 2016
The couple – formerly known as Hiddleswift – became infamous due to their enthusiastic public displays of affection.
They shocked fans around the world after they were spotted locking lips on a beach in June 2016 – marking the beginning of their romance.
But the most infamous moment occurred during their July 4th weekend break in Rhode Island, where Tom was photographed frolicking in the surf with his lover while wearing a vest that was emblazoned with the message ‘I heart TS’.
Tom insisted that their relationship wasn’t a ‘showmance’ when talking to The Hollywood Reporter.
‘The truth is that Taylor Swift and I are together, and we’re very happy,’ he said. ‘That’s the truth. It’s not a publicity stunt.’
The couple even took the huge step of meeting one another’s parents, with Taylor jetting to the UK to spend time with Tom’s mother in Suffolk, while he went to her adopted home town of Nashville.
However it was soon reported she put the brakes on the relationship after having regrets about how public the first few weeks were and getting the impression that Tom liked the limelight.
A source told Us Weekly, ‘Taylor knew the backlash that comes with public displays of affection but Tom didn’t listen to her concerns when she brought them up.
‘I think she feels a little embarrassed that the whole world saw them so serious and now it’s over.’
They ended up breaking up in September of that year an insider exclusively told DailyMail.com that the pop star felt ‘uncomfortable’ with the actor’s desire to be ‘so public’ about their romance.
Tom had asked Taylor to the Emmy Awards that month, but she began questioning whether he was with her for ‘the right reasons’ and ultimately decided to call off the romance.
The actor commented in a GQ profile in a 2017, ‘Taylor is an amazing woman. She’s generous and kind and lovely, and we had the best time.’
He also nixed speculation the relationship was a stunt purely designed for publicity, insisting, ‘Of course it was real.’
Joe Alwyn: 2016-April 2023
Long-term relationship: Taylor began dating the Conversations With Friends star in late 2016 after they were rumored to have crossed paths at that year’s Met Gala in New York City; seen in 2020
Taylor began dating the Conversations With Friends star in late 2016 after they were rumored to have crossed paths at that year’s Met Gala in New York City.
The Lover singer reportedly kicked off her romance with Joe just months after her shock split from Loki actor, Tom Hiddleston, in September 2016.
Taylor gave fans insight into their burgeoning romance by alluding to Joe in lyrics on her hit 2017 album Reputation, including the song Gorgeous where she recalls ‘making fun of’ his English accent.
The Grammy Award-winner opened up even more on her 2019 album Lover, where she gushed about her ‘London boy’ on multiple tracks.
The song Cruel Summer is also rumored to be about the overlap between the beginning of her romance with Joe and the end of her fling with Hiddleston.
Joe told The Sunday Times in 2018 that he finds it ‘flattering’ that Taylor uses him as her musical muse.
Just two years later, Taylor welcomed her beau into the songwriting world by allowing him to pen lyrics for her 2020 alum, Folklore.
Using the pseudonym ‘William Bowery,’ Joe co-wrote two songs for the Grammy Award-winning album and three more songs for Folklore’s sister record Evermore.
They were hit with engagement rumors in July 2022 but Taylor seemingly shut them down in the lyrics on her latest album Midnights.
On April 3, 2023, it was claimed by ET that – despite reports they were ‘doing fine’ – Taylor and Joe had decided to call it quits after six years together.
A source told the outlet that the split was ‘not dramatic’ and that the relationship had simply fizzled out.
Matty Healy: April 2023-June 2023
Shocking romance: The Lover singer and The 1975 rocker shocked the world when their romance was revealed in April
‘Single’: A friend close to the star confirmed Taylor is ‘single’ again but it is not clear why the pair have split
The Lover singer and The 1975 rocker shocked the world when their romance was revealed in April.
They had first connected – and been at the center of romance rumors – back in 2014.
Matty had been seen publicly supporting the singer on her The Eras Tour, shooting the star loving glances as he attended her Nashville concerts.
The pair were also seen in NYC numerous times, leaving a recording studio and heading for dinner with her pals, Margaret Qualley, Phoebe Bridgers and Zoe Kravitz.
He had also been seen sneaking out of her NYC apartment. A friend close to the star confirmed Taylor is ‘single’ again. It is not clear why the pair have split.
Travis Kelce: September 2023 –
Latest romance rumors: Back in July, the Chiefs star first expressed his interest for Swift on his podcast that he hosts with brother, Jason, called New Heights With Jason and Travis Kelce; seen earlier this month in New Jersey
Making a move: The professional NFL star admitted to McAfee, ‘It’s life, baby. I threw it out there, I threw the ball in her court’; seen in August in Arizona
Cheering him on! And on Sunday, September 24, Taylor was seen attending the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Chicago Bears and joined Kelce’s mother, Donna, in a VIP section at the stadium
Back in July, the Chiefs star first expressed his interest for Swift on his podcast that he hosts with brother, Jason, called New Heights With Jason and Travis Kelce.
He opened up about attending her Eras Tour concert in Kansas City and stated, ‘If you’re up on Taylor Swift concerts, there are friendship bracelets, and I received a bunch of them being there, but I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it.’
However, he wasn’t able to do so, admitting, ‘I was a little butthurt that I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her. She doesn’t meet anybody — or at least she didn’t want to meet me. So, I took it personal.’
Earlier this month in September, Travis addressed romance rumors that had begun circulating between him and Swift during an interview on The Pat McAfee Show.
The host brought up the speculation that was ‘being talked about by the whole entire world right now.’
The professional NFL star admitted to McAfee, ‘It’s life, baby. I threw it out there, I threw the ball in her court.’
‘Interested’: Also earlier this month, a source told DailyMail.com , ‘Travis and Taylor are talking and Travis is absolutely interested’; seen with his mother in July
Fueling speculation: ‘He has shot his shot and would love to take Taylor on a date and see where they can go in the relationship department,’ the insider added
And on Sunday, September 24, Taylor was seen attending the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Chicago Bears and joined Kelce’s mother, Donna, in a VIP section at the stadium.
The Grammy winner sported a red and white-colored ensemble to show her support for the recent Super Bowl champions and appeared to be having a blast with Kelce’s mother as they shouted and cheered on the team and tight end.
Also earlier this month, a source told DailyMail.com, ‘Travis and Taylor are talking and Travis is absolutely interested.’
‘He has shot his shot and would love to take Taylor on a date and see where they can go in the relationship department.’
The insider added, ‘The one problem that they have now is that their schedules are so all over the place that it is difficult to get together without being seen and everything else that comes from being the celebrities that they are.’
‘It isn’t organic to Travis and his liking, but he certainly likes the rumors, because he actually would love to date Taylor if she would give him a chance.’ The Grammy winner herself has yet to publicly comment on the romance rumors.
TRAVIS KELCE
Maya Benberry: 2016
First linked: The Kansas City Chiefs tight end was linked to Maya Benberry back in 2016 after she starred in and won his E! dating reality series titled, Chasing Kelce
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end was linked to Maya Benberry back in 2016 after she starred in and won his E! dating reality series titled, Chasing Kelce.
The show notably cast 50 women from all 50 states that competed for the NFL player’s affection and love.
However, the two only dated for a few months following the show’s end before they went their separate ways. The TV personality had accused the professional sports star of cheating on her, per The U.S. Sun.
While on The Pivot podcast, per the outlet, he reflected on his time on the series, and admitted he had done the show mainly for financial reasons.
‘It was extremely awkward because I really didn’t have much to say about what we were doing on the show,’ he stated.
‘I was having so much fun buying whatever the hell I wanted to, going wherever the hell I wanted to, I wasn’t financially looking at this as I need to have money down the line.’
‘So I heard about this situation where I could make six figures in two weeks and I was like, ah, and 50 ladies, I’m like, “This is actually starting to sound a little better.”‘
Kayla Nicole: 2017-May 2022
Latest split: Travis was first romantically linked to sports broadcaster, Kayla Nicole, back in 2017 until the two officially split last year in May 2022; seen in 2018
Travis was first romantically linked to sports broadcaster, Kayla Nicole, back in 2017.
The media personality and the Chiefs tight end first broke up in August 2020, and later rekindled their romance. However, the two officially split last year in May 2022.
At the time of the split, a report claimed that the two ended their relationship due to the NFL star being ‘cheap’ and alleged that he had Kayla ‘pay half of everything’ during their relationship.
The model came to the defense of Travis and tweeted out, ‘Not sure where y’all got this nonsense from, but it’s absurd and very false.’
Kelce also responded to the claim on The Pivot podcast, stating, ‘Don’t buy into that s**t. I would never say that I was supporting her. She had a very financially stable life and what she was doing in her career.’
He added, ‘You’ve got to be crazy if you think I’d never helped or gave her a couple dollars to grab some food or she gave me some money…’
‘We were in a relationship for five years. A hundred dollars here and hundred dollars there wasn’t even thought about, which is ridiculous.’
