Perez Hilton has responded to speculation that Taylor Swift threw shade at Travis Kelce’s former girlfriend during her recent appearance on the New Heights podcast. In a blog post dated August 18, 2025, Hilton addressed these rumors while analyzing Swift’s remarks during the episode.
Hilton noted that Swift’s appearance on the podcast has been widely praised, emphasizing that although the conversation was unscripted, it was edited before release. He drew particular attention to a segment where Swift described her feelings when Kelce started pursuing her.
“With that in mind, it does feel kiiiiinda shady, right? Maybe unintentionally, of course. We’re sure Taylor doesn’t have Trav’s love life memorized,” Hilton said.
He quoted the portion of the podcast where Swift likened Kelce’s early romantic gestures to scenes from an ’80s John Hughes movie, outlining the charming, old-fashioned nature of his approach.
“This kind of felt more like I was in an ’80s John Hughes movie, and he was just like standing outside of my window with a boom box like, ‘I wanna date you! Do you wanna go on a date with me? I made you a friendship bracelet! Do you wanna date me?!’” Hilton added, citing what Taylor Swift said in the podcast.
However, Hilton pointed out that this part of the podcast was edited, with certain lines cut out, prompting fans to notice the missing context. According to superfan observations, the original version included a comparison Swift made between Kelce’s gestures and those typical of modern dating.
In the unedited clip, Swift said:
“We live in this day and age where the most romantic gesture that anybody makes towards a girl is usually like, like their picture, DM them, whatever… And that’s- that’s absolutely a romantic gesture in itself, but this kind of felt more like I was in an ’80s John Hughes movie, and he was just like standing outside of my window with a boom box…”
Hilton suggested the editing was likely intentional to avoid fans interpreting her story as a subtle jab at Kelce’s previous relationship with Kayla Nicole. Hilton also reminded readers that Nicole had described her start with Kelce in a similar casual style back in 2017, involving liking pictures and eventually sending a DM.
Hilton added that Kelce might have noticed the resemblance between Swift’s original comments and Nicole’s earlier account, possibly discussing it with Swift after the recording. Someone then wisely decided to remove that section from the final podcast.
Taylor Swift Clears Up Rumors on Her Role in Happy Gilmore 2 During Podcast
On August 14, 2025, Taylor Swift appeared on the New Heights podcast alongside Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce, where she addressed an unusual rumor about her involvement in the film Happy Gilmore 2. The speculation started after Swift’s enthusiastic Instagram review of the Adam Sandler sequel sparked fans’ imaginations.
In the movie, Kelce had a cameo as a waiter who ends up covered in honey and mauled by a bear. Swift’s addition of a honey emoji to her social media post led some fans to joke that she might have been the one in the bear costume responsible for the comedic attack.
Swift admitted during the podcast that the rumor made her laugh and became an inside joke between her and Kelce.
“This is one of those ones where [Travis and I] will send it to each other and I’m like, ‘Hey, did you hear I was the bear?’ And he’s like, ‘Yeah, did you hear we bought a house in Lake Como?’ Whoever did the bear acting was exquisite,” she said.
She firmly denied being the bear but expressed appreciation for the humorous notion.
“I can deny [the rumor]. At this point, we’re like, of course, they think I’m inside of the bear costume. I’m honored to be thought of in that context because I loved that movie so much, I watched it multiple times. Loved it so much,” Swift explained.
Besides debunking the rumor, Swift praised Bad Bunny, who appeared in the film as the character responsible for covering Kelce in honey. She described his comedic timing as exceptional and his performance as amazing, further showing her admiration for her boyfriend’s co-star.
New Album Announcement and Broader Context of Swift’s Podcast Appearance
During her time on the podcast, Taylor Swift also took the opportunity to announce her upcoming 12th studio album, titled The Life of a Showgirl. This announcement has generated excitement among fans eager for new music from the 14-time Grammy winner.
The insights shared in her appearance reflect Swift’s thoughtful, reflective side, while also addressing both rumors and relationships in a calm and sincere manner. Her interaction with Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce on New Heights combines personal anecdotes with clear-eyed responses to public speculation, offering listeners a blend of warmth and clarity.
As Swift continues to shape her public narrative amid intense media attention, moments like these serve to humanize her, balancing the pressures of fame with her own creative and personal journey.