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Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce is catching heat from Taylor Swift's devoted fanbase after a listener questionnaire linked to his New Heights podcast raised eyebrows for its frequent references to the pop superstar.
The podcast, which Travis co-hosts with his brother and fellow NFL player Jason Kelce, has seen a surge in popularity over the past year-largely thanks to the public's fascination with Kelce's relationship with Swift.
However, a new listener form has sparked controversy, with Swift's fans accusing the podcast of exploiting her fame for attention.
Fan backlash over perceived exploitation
Distributed by Wondery, the podcast's production network, the survey asked listeners to select reasons they tuned into New Heights. While some responses focused on football commentary and the brothers' dynamic, others included options clearly centered around Swift.
These included: "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 s Taylor's happiness outside of her music."
Many Swifties were quick to call out the inclusion of these prompts, labeling them "pathetic," "gross," and "embarrassing." One social media bluntly stated, "Why did you let Wondery ask about Taylor in relation to your podcast?" Others questioned the intention behind such questions, accusing the show of "clout-chasing."
Though Travis has spoken positively about Swift on the podcast and their relationship has been featured organically in past episodes, this overt marketing approach struck a nerve with many longtime fans of the singer. Critics argue that the show is increasingly leaning on Swift-related content to maintain its growing listenership.
While neither Kelce nor Wondery have issued a formal statement responding to the backlash, the reaction suggests a delicate balance must be struck between personal storytelling and respecting fan boundaries-especially when that fanbase happens to belong to one of the most influential celebrities in the world.