In September 2023, chatter began about an NFL star and Taylor Swift possibly dating. This player tried to share his phone number with Swift two months before during her Eras Tour show, but it didn't quite go as planned. Adding fuel to the rumors, Swift was seen rooting for him at a Kansas City Chiefs match on Sept. 24, 2023. She was right next to his mom in his exclusive suite.
The NFL star's relationship with Taylor Swift isn't his first time in the romantic spotlight. In 2016, Kelce was the main attraction on a dating show called "Catching Kelce." Here, 50 women representing each state tried to win him over.
Maya Benberry emerged as the winner, and they dated for a bit. In 2016, he shared with E! News,
"Maya is fantastic. I wouldn't have chosen her if I didn't have strong feelings."
However, their romance was short. By 2017, he was with Kayla Nicole, and interestingly, she took the lead in sparking their relationship.
"He kept liking my posts for months but never messaged,"
She revealed in a 2022 Instagram Story Q&A. "Then on New Year's, after a bit of a confidence boost... I made the first move and sent him a DM."
Their relationship had its ups and downs, and by May 2022, they decided to part ways for good. Kelce has always been open about his relationship goals and what he seeks in a lasting partner.
"On the journeyto commitment, I've learned you need time to know someone truly," he opened up on Kristin Cavallari's "Let's Be Honest" podcast in September 2023.
"Given my past experiences, I believe in taking time. I can't just meet someone and think we're a day away from forever. Understanding and love take time to develop."
Maya Benberry
In 2016, Kelce took a leap of faith with love and headlined the E! dating show, "Chasing Kelce," where he had 50 women, each from a different state, vying for his affection.
He found himself drawn to Maya Benberry from Kentucky. However, he expressed concerns about her confidence tipping into arrogance, sharing, "I've always been pulled to confident women, but sometimes it can be too much," citing a history with similar personalities.
Yet, he chose to follow his heart and picked Benberry. Their flame lasted only a few months before fizzling out.
Fast forward seven years, Kelce revisited those reality TV moments. Although it seemed enticing back then, he had reservations in hindsight.
On "The Pivot Podcast," he mentioned the experience being "awkward," especially feeling out of control regarding the show's direction. Yet, he also admitted the appeal of quick earnings, remembering the thrill of "splurging without thinking" and seeing the show as a chance to bag a hefty paycheck in a short span.
Kayla Nicole
The sportswriter and Kelce noticed each other on social media, but she broke the ice in 2017, sending him a message.
"I dived into his DMs like I was going for third base – though I'm clueless about baseball, so that might not be the best comparison," she humorously commented on Instagram in 2022. "Moral of the story? Taking the initiative might be the game-changer, ladies."
Their relationship had its roller-coaster moments, lasting five years before they decided to part ways in 2022. Post-split, rumors swirled, suggesting Kelce rarely split the bills during their dates. He promptly addressed the gossip.
"That's nonsense. I've never claimed to be her financial support. She was always self-sufficient, doing well in her profession," Kelce countered on "The Pivot" podcast in January 2023. "Over five years, worrying about a few dollars here and there just wasn't a thing for us."
Zuri Hall
Not long after Nicole and Kelce ended things, whispers began linking him to "Access Hollywood" reporter Zuri Hall. In October 2022, she was seen in his family's private suite during a Chiefs game, as captured by a Barstool Sports screenshot.
A clip surfaced on Hollywood Life showing Hall and the background glimpse of Kelce, courtesy of one of his pals.
With their ever-watchful eyes, fans observed a subtle social media shift: Hall and Kelce's ex, Nicole, who once followed each other, suddenly didn't. Curiously, as the speculation grew, both Hall and Kelce chose to remain silent on the matter.
Taylor Swift
Kelce's interest in Swift became more apparent after he openly expressed admiration for her after her Eras Tour concert in July 2023. On his "New Heights" podcast, he confessed his wish to share his number with the singer.
Soon after, whispers circulated that the two might be seeing each other.
An insider shared with Us Weekly in September 2023, "Taylor and Travis connected after he tried giving her his number during her summer concert. They've met up a couple of times."
Further fueling the speculations, Swift was seen at one of Kelce's games against the New York Jets in October 2023. This sighting followed her debut at a Chiefs game the previous week, where they had an impressive win over the Chicago Bears.