Fans Uncover Hidden Kelce References in Swift's Latest Music Video

On October 5, 2025, Taylor Swift released the music video for her new single "The Life of a Showgirl," the first track from her 12th studio album of the same name. The video, which showcases Swift's versatility as she portrays multiple characters, contains several subtle tributes to NFL player Travis Kelce, the tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The most obvious nod to Kelce comes when Swift is seen catching and passing a football while sliding down a hallway, singing the lyrics "Pledge allegiance to your hands, your team, your vibes." Additionally, the video features a dressing room door with the number "87" hanging from it, a reference to Kelce's Chiefs jersey number. A third tribute appears in the form of a black and white photo of Kelce that is stuck to the corner of a vanity mirror in the video's dressing room.

Fans have been speculating about the origin of this photo, with some guessing it's from Kelce's 2016 reality series "Catching Kelce," others believing it's from his 2024 guest role in Ryan Murphy's "Grotesquerie," and further people thinking it's from a 2016 interview where Kelce revealed his desire to "kiss" Swift.

The video also includes a lyrical reference to Kelce's unsuccessful attempt to gift Swift a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it during her Eras Tour, before the two had connected. Swift sings, "I heard you calling / On the megaphone / You wanna see me all alone," likely alluding to this incident.

The music video, which showcases Swift's versatility as she portrays multiple characters, is filled with glamour and various time periods. It concludes with the singer lying in a bathtub of water, extending the artwork featured on the album cover of "The Life of a Showgirl."