Travis Kelce gushes about 'hilarious,' 'genius' Taylor Swift in new interview: The play-by-play of their romance

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's romance continues to fascinate not just Swifties but the rest of the world.

The football star has shared some of the relationship magic, talking about how they got together and their first date in a new interview with WSJ. Magazine. He said he's "never dated anyone with that kind of aura about them," and called Swift both "a genius" and "hilarious." He admitted that his goal as they initially got to know each other was "not to f*** this up," and he talked about how he's navigated the attention.

Another one of Swift's friends, Cara Delevingne, has given her seal of approval. In fact, she says there's "definitely something very different" about Swift's relationship this time.

Let's take a look at Swift and Kelce's whirlwind romance.

Nov. 20

Kelce spilled some details about the high-profile coupling with WSJ. Magazine. He revealed a hint about how they got matched up ("I had someone playing Cupid," pointing to "people she knew that knew who I was") and said Swift reached out. They had been talking prior to meeting in NYC for dinner the first time. "I knew we could have a nice dinner and, like, a conversation, and what goes from there will go from there," he said, adding he made a point not to publicly "say anything that would push Taylor away" as they navigated the beginnings of the romance. He said he was told by his inner circle not to "f*** this up."

He's clearly in awe of his partner, saying he's never before "dated anyone with that kind of aura about them" and how "being around her, seeing how smart Taylor is, has been f***ing mind-blowing." When it comes to dealing with the attention, he's taking her lead, saying, "I'm not running away from any of it... The scrutiny she gets, how much she has a magnifying glass on her, every single day, paparazzi outside her house, outside every restaurant she goes to, after every flight she gets off, and she's just living, enjoying life. When she acts like that I better not be the one acting all strange." He also shared that they share similar worldviews and values, including the importance of family. So it seemed fitting his mama, Donna, weighed in on the pairing, saying "He’s happier than I've seen him in a long time... God bless him, he shot for the stars!"

The same day, Kelce seemingly acknowledged a fan holding a "Karma is a guy on the Chiefs" sign, a reference to her "Karma" lyrics change, at the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Philadelphia Eagles, giving a wave. Swift wasn't at that game — amid what has been a rough few days of her "Eras Tour" in Brazil — and he could have used a lucky charm. His team lost, 17-21, to his brother's Jason's.

Nov. 18

Swift's new romance gets the thumbs-up from her pal Cara Delevingne. "I'm so, so happy for her," the model/actress told E! News. "There's definitely something very different about them... I'm always rooting for my girl."

Nov. 15

Kelce was asked by his brother on their podcast about officially becoming "The Guy on the Chiefs." He admitted he "might have had a little bit of a clue" that Swift was going to change her lyrics during the Buenos Aires show, but "definitely when I heard it come out of her mouth, it still shocked me. I was like, 'Oh…she really just said that, alright.'" He said Swift "absolutely ripped it. She killed it" performing.

Nov. 14

Swift's pal model Gigi Hadid shot down a report that she didn't approve of her BFF's new relationship and it was too much too soon. "We are all over the moon for our girl," the model wrote on Instagram. "Period."

Nov. 12

The lyric change is sticking. One day after Swift surprised Travis with a shout-out during her final song "Karma" — "Karma is the guy on the Chiefs coming straight home to me" — Swift sang the line again at her Sunday show. The original lyric was a nod to ex Joe Alwyn. ("Karma is the guy on the screen coming straight home to me.") Swift and the British actor broke up earlier this year.

The stars are "having the best time together," a source close to the couple told Entertainment Tonight. "They're very into each other and it is clear to everyone around them. They are both excited and giddy that they can't even hide it, and don't want to."

Nov. 11

Travis watched his girlfriend perform her second of three shows as part of "The Eras Tour." He hung in the VIP section with the singer's dad. Well, the superstars gave fans plenty to talk about. First, there was the "Karma" lyric switch up.

Naturally, Travis's reaction was captured on video and it quickly went viral.

After the show, Swift made her way backstage where her beau was waiting. The 12-time Grammy winner ran into Travis's arms where they shared a kiss before exiting the venue together.

Nov. 10

Touchdown! Travis landed in Argentina amid Swift's trio of shows. The singer was forced to postpone her second concert due to adverse weather; however, the new couple made the most of their time together. They were photographed walking into Elena restaurant at the Four Seasons hotel in Buenos Aires on Friday night. An eyewitness told NBC News the duo had dinner in a private room and exited through the kitchen. The whole restaurant was "incredibly respectful and excited to have them there."

Nov. 8

Travis hinted on his podcast he planned to meet up with Swift in South America.

"I might just say 'f*** it' and just go somewhere nice, I don't know," Travis told his brother, Jason Kelce, on their New Heights podcast. "My skin's getting real pale. I gotta go somewhere sunny."

When Jason asked his younger brother whether he was heading "someplace South," Travis teased, "Closer to the equator."

Oct. 15

The couple had a cozy date night as they grabbed dinner at Waverly Inn, capping off a fun-filled weekend in New York.

Oct. 14

Travis and Swift braved the stormy weather in New York City and grabbed dinner at Nobu before they both made surprise, but separate, appearances on Saturday Night Live. There was no shortage of PDA between the pair as they held hands despite swarms of paparazzi.

After stopping by SNL, the duo attended the show's after-party at Catch Steak. Kelce led the way and kept a firm grip on Swift's hand. Inside the bash, they reportedly couldn't keep their hands off each other.

"Travis and Taylor seemed to really be enjoying the night, and each other, even kissing throughout the night," an insider told Page Six. They walked into the restaurant together holding hands around 2:20 a.m. Inside, the two were reportedly "handsy" as Travis had his hands around Swift's waist throughout the bash. They stayed for almost two hours.

"Everyone was in a great mood and having a great time. [Taylor] was seen chatting it up with the night's musical guest, Ice Spice, and her friends," the source added.

Oct. 12

Swift attended the Chiefs game for the third time. One day after the world premiere for The Eras Tour movie, she jetted to Kansas City to watch her beau take on the Denver Broncos. The "Anti-Hero" singer seems to be a good luck charm as Travis's team won all three games in which she was in attendance.

Oct. 1

Back at it. Swift attended Travis's game against the New York Jets — and she brought the whole squad along. Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman were spotted in a box with Swift. The flashy outing came one day after Swift, Lively, Sophie Turner and Patrick Mahomes's wife, Brittany Mahomes, had a girls' night out in New York City.

Sept. 26

Travis addressed Taylor's first appearance at the Chiefs game.

"Shout-out to Taylor for pulling up!" he told Jason on their New Heights podcast. "That was pretty ballsy. That was pretty ballsy... I just thought it was awesome how everybody in the suite had nothing but great things to say about her, the friends and family — she looked amazing. Everybody was talking about her in great light and on top of that, the day went perfect for Chiefs fans, of course."

Travis noted the "high-fives" that Swift shared with their mom.

"It was definitely a game I’ll remember, that's for damn sure," he continued. "Then we just slid off in the getaway car at the end. Took my Chevelle to the game."

Sept. 24

It's on! Swift made her first appearance at a Kansas City Chiefs game as she attended was spotted in the athlete's box at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The singer spent most of the time hanging out with his mom, Donna Kelce.

"This was bound to happen," one source shared with Yahoo Entertainment. "It's all very new, but they've been talking for a few weeks. Timing [for Taylor to go to the game] just worked out well."

After the game, they drove off into the sunset together.

Travis rented out a fancy restaurant to celebrate the Chiefs win with his new flame.

"Travis bought out the restaurant for his family and team. Taylor arrived, wearing a denim dress, and was seen snacking, having some cocktails and dancing alongside Travis," a source told Entertainment Tonight. "The two were very affectionate with one another but kept things fun and lighthearted. Travis' teammates also showed up to the after-party, as well as his mom and dad, Donna and Ed. The party lasted until 2 a.m."

Sept. 21

Travis commented on romance speculation for the first time on The Pat McAfee Show.

"I threw it out there, I threw the ball in her court," the two-time Super Bowl winner said. "I told her, you know, I've seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead [Stadium], you might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead and see which one's a little more lit. So, we'll see what happens in the near future."

Sept. 20

Not that serious? The Messenger claimed Swift and Travis have only hung out twice.

"She and Travis have hung out twice, and it's nothing serious. She thinks he is very charming, and they have been texting this last week," an insider claimed "He is a little embarrassed at how much attention they are getting, but he has told her he would love to continue seeing her."

Sept. 12

The Messenger was the first to report Travis and Swift were seeing each other. "Taylor and Travis have been quietly hanging out," an insider claimed. "She saw him when she was in NYC a few weeks ago."

Aug. 31

Was this the first sign of Travis and Swift's relationship? On his podcast, Travis told Jason he spent the previous weekend in New York.

July 26

On his podcast, the NFL star publicly detailed his failed attempt to give Swift his phone number.

"I was disappointed that she doesn't talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs that she sings," he revealed to Jason. "So, I was a little butthurt that I didn't get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her."

July 8

Travis attended "The Eras Tour" at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium.

– Editor's note: This story was originally published on Nov. 14, 2023 and has been updated to include new information.