October 20, 2023 at 4:00:00 PM
Max Friedman ‘25
In the past couple of weeks, social media has been abuzz over a sensational current event. It is nearly impossible to watch sports or scroll through Instagram without coming across this news maker. This occurrence has put two groups of people, both dedicated to their superstars, at odds. I am talking about Travis Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift.
The relationship between the two celebrities came out of nowhere. Suddenly, on September 24, 2023, you could not go anywhere without hearing the news of the relationship. Initially, fans appreciated the amount of media coverage being given, with the NFL itself making a statement in support of the relationship’s media coverage.
However, as time progressed, voices of criticism emerged, arguing that the coverage has gone too far. I believe that the media coverage should be reduced or halted altogether: let the superstars figure out their relationship. Others, however, are fully on board with the constant exposure and believe that it is needed to prevent further relationships.
We do not live in a perfect world. When celebrities have relationships, the press responds with a full-scale exposure campaign. However, the tabloids must be careful with their coverage of personal situations. The news blitz could create greater uproar than the relationship itself, and in that case, would be an over-the-top response to the relationship. The media coverage may all but force Taylor Swift to move in with Travis Kelce, caving to the intense pressure placed by the media siege.
It is an incredibly difficult situation, even further complicated by the NFL’s clear alignment with the goals of the press and the race for revenue. In fact, the NFL recently made a deal with Taylor Swift’s agent to allow her to play in football stadiums during The Eras Tour, after having previously prevented her agent from accessing the stadiums—in exchange for free tickets, of course.
The relationship between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift warrants coverage. There is zero question of that. However, the controversy lies in the extent to which the media is entitled to cover the relationship. For my part, I believe that the media is fully authorized to cover as it sees fit; when such a relationship happens, it must be discussed to the fullest extent possible. It’s simply strategic. The media has the NFL’s blessing, and until that is gone, they will continue to report on the relationship.
As for Swift and Kelce, I wish them the best, and hope that they may find privacy once the coverage has run its course. All we can hope is that one day there shall be peace between the media and celebrities. However, today is not that day, and there is no end in sight to the excessive and invasive media coverage of the relationship between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.