Taylor Swift faces backlash over Travis Kelce podcast album announcement

News.com.au

4 hours ago

Taylor Swift's appearance on the New Heights podcast may just be the pop culture moment to knock the infamous Coldplay kiss cam cheating scandal from top spot in 2025.
However, many people have kicked off about the fact that the 35-year-old musician has decided to go on her 'boyfriend's sports podcast' to promote The Life Of A Showgirl.
Hannah Ferguson, who runs Cheek Media Co was one of these naysayers, writing, 'Yes, I will be the first listener but imagine being one of the most successful women in the world and announcing your next huge career milestone on your boyfriend's sport podcast.'
Ms Ferguson wasn't alone in that sentiment.
TikTok user @guiltyassina said: 'wdym I have to watch A MEN'S PODCAST for a possible T12 announcement'.
Reddit users also weighed in.
'Going on her boyfriend's podcast to announce her next album/music is not what I pictured her doing but she's down real bad,' one said.
Another added: 'Did she really announce an album on her boyfriend's podcast to his brother? Girl. Come on.'
Others made comments on her dating history, while some even accused Travis Kelce of 'hijacking' her album announcement.
'Her personality morphs depending on who she's dating. Using her meathead boyfriend's football podcast to drop her next album is giving co-dependence,' one said.
Another fan wrote: 'Letting your boyfriend hijack your album announcement like he has a part in its creation is a choice.'
'She's not going to announce a new album on a mediocre, male centred podcast,' one weighed in.
Meanwhile, others focused on the fact that Kansas City Chief's player was involved in the major announcement at all.
'I just don't understand why he's involved,' one questioned.
Another added: 'Literally why would a man be there?'
Comedian Emma Hunter, appearing on Canadian lifestyle show The Social, said; 'I live in fear of the moment the boyfriend starts to step into the light of the main character of the show.
'Taylor Swift has built this entire thing by herself since so small. And of a sudden, we are announcing the 12th album and she does it on the boyfriend's podcast.
'And I just get the fear of the husband-ger, the boyfriend-ger being like, 'Hey, I'm just in the frame here. I'm a part of this.
'I want her to be on her path, on her journey, he can throw his little ball or do whatever he does.
'I don't want him in her light — that was my only thing. I was like, 'This is great, but why this way?'.'
And to this sentiment, I can't help but think, God forbid a woman want to share a huge achievement with the man that she loves. It's like people don't want the woman to be happy so she can keep writing songs about heartbreak that resonate with millions.
And look, I get it. We're always worried about women in the spotlight being overshadowed by the person they love. But I think The Eras tour has proven that it might be essentially impossible to overshadow her — especially when Kelce may be her biggest cheerleader.
Since 2008, when Love Story first hit the airwaves, Swift has been under a microscope. People have wanted to know who she's dating, and why and if they are good enough for her, why she writes albums about love and heartbreak, what she's doing, and for her to comment on every single thing that is wrong in the world. For close to two decades, people have wanted to know every single detail about her life — and have loved to scrutinise her for it.
After her last relationship with Joe Alwyn, and the couple rarely being seen in the spotlight together, the I Can Do It With A Broken Heart hit maker has what appears to be taking the complete opposite approach with the younger Kelce.
The pair have been seen at parties, out to dinner, attending weddings, at The Eras Tour and the Superbowl together. Both have been incredibly supportive of each other's careers. Kelce has bragged to the high heavens about how much of a bad ass he thinks his girlfriend is.
So, why is it so hard to understand why Swift, who has had every decision twisted, would appear on New Heights to speak about her new album? Many assume it's because she might have some semblance of control over how the episode is cut. And yeah, if you'd been criticised your whole life it would be extremely appealing.
Others thought it may be because Swift, a cultural phenomenon with a fanbase of 'Swifties' unlike anything we've seen before, wanted to appear more human and relatable by giving some insight into her relationship. Some even claimed it was a targeted attempt to annoy men, by 'taking away' something they enjoy.
At the end of the day, it shouldn't matter the reason why Swift has made this choice. It's been made. Swift should be able to include the people she loves in her milestones — particularly a man who realises he has been chosen by the myth and legend that is Taylor Swift. She is happy, and in love, and sharing milestones always makes them that much more enjoyable.
And yes, while there has been negativity, there has also been a lot of excitement about the impending podcast drop.
'She gets to do an album rollout with an interview that she knows isn't a trap, that won't be edited in a way that she hates,' one said.
'And she's doing it with her grinning man by her side throwing shiny confetti on himself. I am so happy for her.'
One said: 'I was thinking about that yesterday, she is definitely comfortable with them in a way that she will actually going to a podcast where she is actually going to enjoy and feel a little bit more normal and relaxed!!! I'm happy she is finally getting a little taste of normality.'
'This is what it feels like to climb the mountain with someone by your side. So incredibly happy for her,' one added.
Another social media user commented: 'He was SO GIDDY about it too that man is so proud of her.'
Overall, Swift is just doing her best to promote The Life Of A Showgirl in her own way — with an adoring man by her side — and can any of us really fault her for that?