The Real Reason Why Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Skipped His <i>Happy Gilmore 2</i> Premiere

THE RUNDOWN

• Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift skipped the New York City premiere of Happy Gilmore 2 despite Kelce having a small role in the film.
• Kelce couldn’t attend due to work; he reported to the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp on Sunday.
• Swift was last seen at Selena Gomez’s early 33rd birthday party.

Travis Kelce has a small role as a hotel employee in Happy Gilmore 2, marking another foray into acting for the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. Although the film had its premiere in New York City last night, neither Kelce nor his girlfriend, Taylor Swift—who owns property in the city—attended.

Their absence comes without scandal: Kelce had to miss the event because he had work. Training camp for the Chiefs began today at 9:15 A.M. local time at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. The players arrived on Sunday.

Swift and Kelce, who have been together for nearly two years, have never walked a formal red carpet together. The closest the couple has come to a debut was when they arrived hand-in-hand at Kelce’s Tight End University welcome reception last month.

Swift was last seen at Selena Gomez’s early 33rd birthday party. Gomez shared photos yesterday of Swift posing with her in a pile of balloons.

Kelce was spotted at training camp today:

On July 1, the couple was photographed having a lunch date in Ohio, marking one of their most recent public sightings together. A month before, a source explained to Us Weekly that Swift and Kelce are trying to keep their relationship more private.

“They’re making fewer public appearances together because [their relationship] brings too much unwanted attention, but there isn’t trouble in paradise,” the insider said.

Swift will be front and center cheering Kelce on once football season begins, a source told People on June 12. “Taylor is really looking forward to the upcoming NFL season—not just because she loves supporting Travis, but because for the first full season since they started dating, she’s not juggling a packed tour schedule,” the source explained. “This fall will be completely different. It’s the first season where she’s not constantly flying back and forth or working around an entire touring calendar.”

On July 1, a source told People that the time Swift and Kelce spent out of the spotlight this spring and summer has made a big difference. “It’s been a turning point for their relationship in a lot of ways,” the insider said. “They’re incredibly happy and in sync. There’s a calmness and ease to their relationship right now that’s been really grounding for Taylor and Travis.”

Kelce’s absence from Happy Gilmore 2’s premiere doesn’t take away from his performance either. Adam Sandler raved about both Bad Bunny and Kelce’s acting ability at the New York premiere.

“Travis and Bunny are ridiculous in it,” Sandler told People. “Every athlete kicks ass.”