How Julia Roberts ignited Taylor Swift fan fury with Travis Kelce encounter

Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributorsWhat happens when Hollywood royalty meets NFL stardom under the watchful eyes of Swifties? A stir, it seems. At Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Show in Dublin, Julia Roberts was seen getting rather close with Travis Kelce, triggering a bit of a fan frenzy.Fresh off a wedding in California, Kelce, 34, flew to Europe to support Swift, 34, at her concert. It was there, in the VIP tent, that he encountered Roberts, 56. The moment, captured by a fan and shared on TikTok, shows the Oscar-winning actress laughing, while playfully scratching Kelce's chest and resting her hands on his shoulders. The interaction, while seemingly light-hearted, didn't sit too well with all of Swift's fans. Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour - Dublin, Ireland DUBLIN, IRELAND - JUNE 28: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO BOOK COVERS. Taylor Swift performs on stage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Aviva Stadium... Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour - Dublin, Ireland DUBLIN, IRELAND - JUNE 28: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO BOOK COVERS. Taylor Swift performs on stage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Aviva Stadium on June 28, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland. Taylor Swift lighting up the stage at her 2024 Eras Tour concert in Dublin. More Getty Images/Charles McQuillan Social media reactions ranged from discomfort to outright criticism."I feel bad for Travis :/ clearly he's uncomfortable," one person commented."wtf is wrong with JR? why is she scratching his chest and pushing herself into him? he is so uncomfortable trying to push her off and she holds him up. this is uber strange," another fan shared."Her physicality with him is cringe!!"Despite the controversy, some fans saw the interaction as harmless fun and even charming."Julia is old enough to be Trav's mom. She loves Chiefs and Taylor. She is just telling him how much she loves them. It is cuteness!" one fan said."She's totally fangirling, but do you blame her?" another suggested."Julia Roberts is a fan. No threat, he is blushing," added a third. The encounter has certainly been one of the more unexpected twists in the Kansas City tight end's summer, which has been filled with public appearances and personal milestones. As he gears up for the NFL season, this little episode remains a quirky footnote to an otherwise sports-focused narrative. Meanwhile, Chiefs fans are eagerly awaiting his return to the field, hoping for less drama and more touchdowns. Uncommon KnowledgeNewsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek’s network of contributors

What happens when Hollywood royalty meets NFL stardom under the watchful eyes of Swifties? A stir, it seems. At Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Show in Dublin, Julia Roberts was seen getting rather close with Travis Kelce, triggering a bit of a fan frenzy.

Fresh off a wedding in California, Kelce, 34, flew to Europe to support Swift, 34, at her concert. It was there, in the VIP tent, that he encountered Roberts, 56. The moment, captured by a fan and shared on TikTok, shows the Oscar-winning actress laughing, while playfully scratching Kelce’s chest and resting her hands on his shoulders. The interaction, while seemingly light-hearted, didn’t sit too well with all of Swift’s fans.

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour – Dublin, Ireland DUBLIN, IRELAND – JUNE 28: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO BOOK COVERS. Taylor Swift performs on stage during “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” at Aviva Stadium…
Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour – Dublin, Ireland DUBLIN, IRELAND – JUNE 28: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO BOOK COVERS. Taylor Swift performs on stage during “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” at Aviva Stadium on June 28, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland. Taylor Swift lighting up the stage at her 2024 Eras Tour concert in Dublin.

Getty Images/Charles McQuillan

Social media reactions ranged from discomfort to outright criticism.

“I feel bad for Travis :/ clearly he’s uncomfortable,” one person commented.

“wtf is wrong with JR? why is she scratching his chest and pushing herself into him? he is so uncomfortable trying to push her off and she holds him up. this is uber strange,” another fan shared.

“Her physicality with him is cringe!!”

Despite the controversy, some fans saw the interaction as harmless fun and even charming.

“Julia is old enough to be Trav’s mom. She loves Chiefs and Taylor. She is just telling him how much she loves them. It is cuteness!” one fan said.

“She’s totally fangirling, but do you blame her?” another suggested.

“Julia Roberts is a fan. No threat, he is blushing,” added a third.

The encounter has certainly been one of the more unexpected twists in the Kansas City tight end’s summer, which has been filled with public appearances and personal milestones. As he gears up for the NFL season, this little episode remains a quirky footnote to an otherwise sports-focused narrative. Meanwhile, Chiefs fans are eagerly awaiting his return to the field, hoping for less drama and more touchdowns.