“Pathetic”: Travis Kelce faces backlash from Swifties over podcast survey, accused of clout-chasing Taylor Swift

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has found himself at the center of controversy—not for something he said, but for what fans think he and his podcast team might be implying. A listener questionnaire tied to his hit show New Heights, which he co-hosts with his brother Jason Kelce, has drawn sharp criticism from Taylor Swift ’s fanbase, who believe the show is veering too far into her territory.

Podcast survey stirs up controversy with Taylor Swift references
The Kelce brothers' New Heights podcast has enjoyed sky rocketing popularity over the past year. While much of that success is thanks to their NFL credentials and brotherly banter, the show has also benefited from Travis’s high-profile relationship with global pop icon Taylor Swift. But a recent listener survey—distributed by podcast network Wondery—has made some fans feel uncomfortable with how that relationship is being used.

The survey featured response options directly referencing Swift, such as: "I was drawn to the prospect of hearing details and clues about Taylor Swift's life and her relationship with Travis," and "I like feeling like a part of the community that supports Taylor's happiness outside of her music." These choices struck a nerve with many Swifties, who accused the podcast of using her name for marketing gain.


Fan backlash highlights tensions between fame and privacy

Swift’s fans didn’t hold back online. Some labeled the survey “gross,” “pathetic,” and “embarrassing.” One user asked pointedly, “Why did you let Wondery ask about Taylor in relation to your podcast?” The criticism quickly snowballed, with others accusing Kelce and his team of “clout-chasing” and relying too heavily on Swift-related content to boost the show’s visibility.

Though Travis Kelce has previously spoken respectfully about Swift and organically shared moments from their relationship on the podcast, this overt data-gathering move appeared to cross an unspoken boundary.

Neither Kelce nor Wondery has commented publicly on the backlash, but the uproar highlights a tricky balancing act: navigating fame while maintaining personal boundaries. With Taylor Swift’s fan base being one of the most passionate and protective in the world, even small missteps can trigger major reactions.

Also Read: “Nonsense”: Travis Kelce shuts down breakup and false community service rumors in latest podcast appearance

As New Heights continues to grow, this incident serves as a reminder that not every aspect of a public relationship needs to be leveraged for clicks—even if fans are already listening.