NEW YORK – Global pop superstar Taylor Swift has publicly addressed and dismissed long-standing rumors that she declined the offer to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Appearing on the latest episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the 35-year-old artist clarified the situation, attributing her decision not to perform to her emotional commitment to her fiancé, NFL star Travis Kelce.
When pressed by host Jimmy Fallon about “speculations that she has turned down the Super Bowl due to performance footage,” the singer of The Life of a Showgirl simply responded, “No.”
Swift explained that discussions about the performance never progressed to an official level, noting her long-standing, positive relationship with Roc Nation founder Jay-Z. “Here’s the thing,” she began. “Jay Z has always been very good to me. Our teams are very close. They sometimes will call and say how does she feel about… and that’s not an official offer or a conference room conversation.”
She stated that the real reason for her non-involvement is her focus on supporting Kelce.
“We’re always able to tell him the truth, which is that I am in love with a guy who does that sport on that actual field,” she added, prioritizing her personal life over the professional opportunity.
The singer described the intensity of watching her fiancé play, referring to the high-stakes game as “gladiators without swords,” and calling the sport “dangerous.”
Swift’s comments highlighted the deep focus required to manage her concerns for Kelce’s well-being throughout the NFL season. “The whole season I am locked in on what that man is doing on the field. Can you imagine if he’s out there every single week putting his life on the line, doing this very dangerous, very high-pressure, high-intensity sport, and I’m like, ‘I wonder what my choreo should be. I think we should do two verses of ‘Shake it Off’ into ‘Blank Space’ into ‘Cruel Summer’ would be great,’” she continued.
She concluded by reaffirming her personal choice, ensuring her decision wasn’t seen as a slight to her partner: “This is nothing to do with Travis, he would love for me to do it. I’m just too locked in.”
