On August 13, 2025, pop icon Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce sat down for their first joint interview on the wildly popular "New Heights" podcast, hosted by Travis and his brother, Jason Kelce. This wasn’t just any celebrity appearance—according to Billboard, the episode smashed YouTube records for podcasts, drawing a staggering 1.3 million concurrent livestream viewers and amassing over 15 million total views within days. Spotify also reported the episode as one of its highest-performing podcasts of the year, with female listenership skyrocketing by more than 600%.
The anticipation leading up to the episode was palpable. Fans waited over an hour in virtual queues to pre-order Swift’s much-hyped 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," which she officially announced in a teaser video for the podcast. The album, set for release on October 3, promises a behind-the-scenes look at Swift’s whirlwind life during her record-shattering Eras Tour. “The album is a lot more upbeat, and it’s a lot more fun pop excitement,” Swift explained on the show. “My main goals were melodies that were so infectious, you’re almost angry at it … We’ve made songs that I’m so proud of.”
The chemistry between Swift and Kelce was impossible to ignore. For months, speculation had swirled about the couple’s relationship status, with many fans and media outlets wondering if an engagement—or even marriage—might be on the horizon. Elizabeth Wagmeister, a correspondent for CNN and self-professed Swiftie, summed up the sentiment: “I do think this is the real deal… They just seem to be such a great match that I think this is the one.”
During the nearly two-hour interview, Swift and Kelce offered rare glimpses into their private life, confirming what many had suspected: they’re already living together, at least part-time. Swift recounted hearing Kelce record segments of "New Heights" from across the house. “I like New News just because of the screaming. I hear him screaming, ‘New News,’ from across the house constantly. It’s my favorite part. He’ll be like, ‘New News, New News,’ and I’m in the kitchen being like, ‘New News.’ So I love that because of just the bellowing of it.”
Kelce, for his part, was effusive about Swift’s domestic hobbies—especially her baking. “It’s been so fun to see what Taylor actually gets into around the house,” he said. Swift chimed in, “I’d say all my hobbies could be categorized as hobbies you could have had in the 1700s. I get all my granny shit.” She continued, “I love to cook. I have a different baking obsession every six months.” Kelce laughed, “I’m the luckiest man in the world. Right now, we’re very deep in a sourdough obsession that has taken over my life.” Swift added, “Yeah, he asked me to send him two loaves of sourdough at training camp. I’m like wrapping sourdough loaves in like, Saran wrap or...cling film. The sourdough has taken over my life in a huge way.”
These candid revelations only fueled further speculation about the couple’s future. Multiple outlets, including Cleveland Scene and Us Weekly, reported that Swift and Kelce had been house hunting together in Northeast Ohio’s upscale eastside suburbs during a July visit. An insider told Us Weekly, “When they have time, they want to look at real estate. [They’ve] talked about exploring buying a home together.”
The financial stakes are sky-high for both stars. Travis Kelce recently inked a $34.5 million contract, making him the NFL’s highest-paid tight end and boosting his net worth to an estimated $90 million, according to Extra. Meanwhile, Swift’s fortune has soared to approximately $1.6 billion, thanks in large part to her record-breaking Eras Tour—which, as Newsweek noted, shattered 18 records during its 21-month run—and her lucrative music catalogue. Forbes has reported that football generates about $17.1 million annually for Kelce, with off-field ventures, including the "New Heights" podcast, adding another $35 million to his income.
The podcast itself has become a financial juggernaut. Last year, the Kelce brothers reportedly signed a $100 million deal with Wondery, Amazon’s podcast streamer. With YouTube videos surpassing a million views typically earning creators thousands in ad revenue, the Swift episode’s 15 million views could translate into a significant payday. Business Insider detailed that creators can earn between $2,000 to $30,000 per million views, depending on the subject and engagement. The exact sum the Kelce brothers will pocket remains unclear, but the numbers are undeniably impressive.
Jason Kelce, who retired from the NFL in March after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, has also carved out a successful media career. He now serves as an analyst on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown and hosts his own late-night talk show, "They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce." Travis, meanwhile, has dabbled in acting—most recently appearing in "Happy Gilmore 2"—and hosts the game show "Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?"
Fans, affectionately known as Swifties, were quick to praise the podcast episode. The YouTube comments section brimmed with enthusiastic reactions. One user, @chemistryflavored, wrote, “I don’t think the Kelce brothers realize what a true gift this was for fans. I’ve never heard Taylor speak so openly and candidly for so long.” Another, @bloomingbag, added, “This is the most intimate conversation we’ve seen Taylor do ever.” The prevailing sentiment was summed up by @GOTGames: “The best thing about this entire podcast isn’t even the album announcement, it’s just seeing Taylor so freaking happy and comfortable with someone who clearly cares about her so much!”
Swift’s down-to-earth demeanor, despite her immense fame and fortune, was another recurring theme. As @Ohhelmno put it, “It’s f***ing bananas that she remains this grounded and down to earth despite being a billionaire and maybe the most famous person on the planet.”
With "The Life of a Showgirl" set for release in October and the Kansas City Chiefs gearing up for another NFL season, both Swift and Kelce show no signs of slowing down. Their shared journey—from joint podcast appearances to possible joint homeownership—continues to captivate millions, blending the worlds of music and sports in a way few celebrity couples ever have.
The buzz around their relationship, their professional successes, and their willingness to share glimpses of their private life has left fans and industry watchers alike eagerly awaiting what comes next for pop culture’s new power couple.
