Taylor Swift returned to Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night, joining Tom Cruise in the stands to watch her new husband Travis Kelce and his Kansas City Chiefs kick off the NFL season against the Denver Broncos.
This marked the first match Swift has attended to watch Kelce play since their summer wedding ceremony.
The 14-time Grammy Award winner chose not to attend the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, a move that was largely expected. Although The Eras Tour: The Final Show received a nomination for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded), the award had already been presented at the Creative Arts Emmys earlier this month, where The Muppet Show claimed top honours.
Organisers of the Emmys played on the speculation surrounding Swift’s potential appearance, broadcasting a pre-recorded segment in which the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit cast, featuring host Mariska Hargitay, attempts to determine if she will show up. Swift makes a closing cameo, albeit playing a fictional character.
"Maybe she’ll do one those cool, pre-taped sketch things to support the host," her character remarks.
Instead of attending the ceremony at the Peacock Theatre, Swift was present at the stadium where her relationship with Kelce began.
The couple's romance originated when Swift performed a concert at Arrowhead Stadium, where Kelce unsuccessfully attempted to give her a friendship bracelet as a fan. Kelce then took to social media to invite her to see him play, an offer Swift accepted for a 2023 fixture against the Bears, initiating a relationship that ultimately led to their very high-profile wedding held on July 3 inside Madison Square Garden.
Adam Sandler was the unexpected officiant for the event, with Stevie Nicks singing before a guest list packed with prominent figures across entertainment and sport, such as actors Bradley Cooper, Zoë Kravitz, Hugh Grant and Ethan Hawke, models Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss, comedian Chris Rock, film director Steven Spielberg, alongside retired quarterback Tom Brady and several of Kelce’s teammates.
"The ceremony was gorgeous," stated Jason Kelce, Kelce’s brother and retired Eagles center, during ESPN's pregame show. "They did such an incredible job, Adam Sandler officiated it in a very Adam Sandler, beautiful way. From then on, it was a party."
The newly married couple have had a busy summer period, even with Swift currently off tour. Kelce has been expanding his business portfolio, which featured his decision to purchase a small share of David Blitzer’s stake in the hometown Cleveland Guardians.
There was some speculation that Kelce might retire following last season, when the Chiefs struggled to a 6-11 finish and his close friend and quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore ligaments in his left knee. Instead, he chose to return for a 14th season, and Mahomes rehabbed in time to face the Broncos as the Chiefs attempt to rebound from their very first losing season since 2012.
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