Super Bowl LIX had all the makings of a legendary showdown — the Kansas City Chiefs facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles in a heated rematch and an electric halftime performance by Kendrick Lamar.
But one of the night’s biggest shockers came off the field, when Taylor Swift was met with boos from the crowd.
🎥 | Taylor Swift on the jumbotron at the #SuperBowl.pic.twitter.com/LCTCpug9yO
— The Swift Society (@TheSwiftSociety) February 10, 2025
The 35-year-old pop superstar, who attended the game at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans to support her boyfriend Travis Kelce, was seated alongside her friend, rapper Ice Spice.
During the first quarter, Swift appeared on the jumbotron, but instead of cheers, Eagles fans erupted into loud boos.
Swift looked visibly shocked, glancing around and appearing to say something to those nearby.
While the videos capturing the moment didn’t have any audio, lip reader NJ Hickling later analyzed the footage.
Speaking to The Mirror US, Hickling revealed that Swift asked, “What’s going on?” — seemingly caught off guard by the negative reaction.
Taylor Swift got showed on the big screen and got booed aggressively.
She asks: "What's going on?"pic.twitter.com/1CSLjNanmK
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 9, 2025
Stars Defend Swift After Viral Booing Moment
Despite the icy reception, Swift’s friends and fellow celebrities were quick to come to her defense.
Tennis legend Serena Williams didn’t hesitate to show her support, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “I love you @taylorswift13 don’t listen to those booo!!”
I love you @taylorswift13 dont listen to those booo!!
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Find Straw, Egg, Knife, Sock. — Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) February 9, 2025
Meanwhile, fans were equally vocal online, calling out the negativity. One user wrote: “The booing is so lame like she’s literally just supporting her boyfriend.”
Another added: “People booing as if it’s not her home team and her boyfriend’s team—grow up.”
A third criticized the backlash, saying: “Y’all booing shows how fragile your masculinity is. She will always be richer, more famous, and more talented than you’ll ever be.”
Why Did Eagles Fans Boo Taylor Swift?
The bad blood between Swift and some Philadelphia fans may have been brewing for a while.
During her Eras Tour stop in Philly in 2023, she told the crowd that the lyrics in her song ‘Gold Rush’ referenced her love for the Eagles—but some weren’t sure whether she meant the band or the football team. Swift later clarified: “I saw some people wondering if it was the band Eagles or the team the Eagles. And I love the band the Eagles… But guys, like come on. I’m from Philly. Of course, it’s the team.”
But despite her Philadelphia roots, Swift has fully embraced Chiefs Kingdom since dating Kelce, a move that has clearly rubbed some Eagles fans the wrong way.
The NFL and the Taylor Swift Phenomenon
Swift’s frequent appearances at Chiefs games have been one of the biggest storylines of the NFL season. Her relationship with Kelce has not only dominated headlines, but also led to a surge in viewership.
The NFL was even criticized for frequently cutting to shots of Swift in the crowd, fueling speculation that the league was capitalizing on her star power. The conversation got so intense that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was directly asked whether the Swift-Kelce relationship was a publicity stunt to boost ratings.
Goodell denied the rumors, responding: “I don’t think I’m that good (of) a scripter or anybody on our staff… There’s no way that I could have scripted that one.”
Super Bowl LIX Delivers More Viral Moments
Beyond Swift’s headline-making moment, Super Bowl LIX has already delivered plenty of unforgettable moments.
-Jon Hamm and Bradley Cooper introduced their teams on the field, but Hamm became an instant meme after his voice cracked mid-speech, while Cooper smoothly hyped up the Eagles.
-Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show stole the spotlight, especially when he brought out Serena Williams to dance to ‘Not Like Us’, a diss track aimed at Drake, whom Williams once dated.
-The Chiefs continue their quest for an unprecedented three-peat, as they battle the Eagles in a rematch of Super Bowl LVII, where Kansas City claimed victory in a 38-35 thriller. (But it’s not looking likely…)
Despite the booing incident, one thing is certain—Taylor Swift still has an army of supporters behind her. And whether fans like it or not, she remains one of the biggest storylines in football.
