Taylor Swift used to think her fame would ‘scare away’ Travis Kelce

The singer and Chiefs tight end went public with their romance in October 2023.

Over the past year, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s romance has captivated fans worldwide while the two have individually reached new heights in their careers and personal lives.

In the past 12 months, Swift shattered records with her Eras Tour, won her fourth Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and joined the billionaires club. 

Meanwhile, Kelce has won a Super Bowl, 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.

Their love story began publicly on July 8, 2023, when Kelce, 34, attended Swift’s concert at Arrowhead Stadium with the intention of giving her his phone number. 

On his podcast, New Heights, he expressed disappointment when he couldn’t deliver his digits via a handmade friendship bracelet, saying, "I was kind of butthurt." Swift, also 34, later described the gesture as "metal as hell."

Their relationship quickly blossomed with help from behind-the-scenes matchmakers, including sportscaster Erin Andrews and Kelce’s teammate Patrick Mahomes. 

The couple's public appearances, such as a backstage kiss in Buenos Aires and outings with friends like Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper, fueled media excitement.

A source told Us Weekly, “This has been the best year of both of their lives. [Between] the Super Bowl and their families meeting and traveling the world together, it’s been quite a ride for Taylor and Travis.”

Adapting to the increased public attention was more of a challenge for Kelce. A source noted, “Taylor was worried that bringing Travis into her world would scare him away, but he embraced it and handled it so well.” 

During an October 2023 press conference, Kelce acknowledged the public interest, saying, “You’ve got a lot of people that care about Taylor, and for good reason.”

Adjusting to life in the spotlight wasn’t without its difficulties. Kelce moved into a $6 million mansion in Kansas City, and fans began showing up at his doorstep. 

“It kind of freaked him out at first. He didn’t feel safe,” said a source. However, his close-knit family provided support, helping him stay grounded.

The couple spent months traveling to see each other during Kelce's football season and Swift’s Eras Tour. Kelce even flew to Argentina for 48 hours to attend Swift’s concert on November 11. 

Reflecting on her performances, he said, “Taylor’s shows are unbelievable. If you haven’t been to them, you got to try it.”

Despite their demanding careers, Swift and Kelce make their relationship work through daily FaceTimes, cute texts, and thoughtful gestures. Sources reveal that Swift has never been happier. 

“Taylor and Travis bring out the best in each other and lift each other up. She absolutely sees this going the distance,” a source revealed to Us Weekly.

With Swift taking a three-month break from her tour between August and November, she plans to stay at Kelce’s Kansas City home. 

Friends believe the couple is in it for the long haul, though they are taking things one step at a time and enjoying their journey together.