Pop superstar Taylor Swift received an unexpected cold welcome at Super Bowl LIX when she was booed by the crowd at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday.
The incident occurred early in the first quarter when Swift, who was attending to support her boyfriend Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, appeared on the stadium's jumbo screen. The 14-time Grammy winner looked visibly uncomfortable as loud boos echoed through the stadium, prompting her to shift uncomfortably before managing a smile.
The moment quickly sparked heated debates on social media. While some fans defended Swift, arguing she was being unfairly targeted for simply supporting her partner, others celebrated the crowd's reaction, suggesting the NFL fanbase differs significantly from Swift's typical audience.
The hostile reception comes despite Swift's positive impact on NFL viewership, particularly among young female viewers. Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt recently acknowledged that the team experienced a 30% growth in their fan base, attributing part of this increase to Swift's presence at games.
Tennis legend Serena Williams showed support for Swift on social media, posting "I love you @taylorswift13 dont listen to those booo!!"
Swift and Kelce have been dating for over a year, with the singer regularly attending Chiefs games while Kelce has been spotted at several of Swift's Eras Tour performances.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between traditional NFL fans and Swift's presence at games, despite her documented positive influence on the league's viewership numbers and demographic reach.