Julia Fox Slams Critics for Blaming Taylor Swift Over Travis Kelce’s NFL Struggles — Calls the Backlash ‘Irrational and Misogynistic’
Actress and fashion icon Julia Fox is speaking out in defense of Taylor Swift, calling out what she sees as unfair and “irrational” criticism linking the pop star to Travis Kelce’s performance on the football field.
The conversation reignited after the Kansas City Chiefs’ recent losses, with some sports commentators and social media users joking — and in some cases seriously claiming — that Kelce’s high-profile romance with Swift has been a “distraction.” The narrative has gained momentum online, with memes, hot takes, and hashtags suggesting Swift’s presence at games correlates with the Chiefs’ struggles.
But Fox isn’t having it. During a recent interview on the High Low with EmRata podcast, she called the criticism deeply unfair and rooted in double standards.
“It’s ridiculous to blame a woman for a man’s losses. Taylor’s not out there dropping passes or missing plays,” Fox argued. “This is just another way society finds to put women down. She’s living her life, and somehow she’s being held responsible for a football team’s record.”
The “Taylor Effect”
Swift, 35, has been dating NFL star Travis Kelce since 2023, a relationship that quickly became one of the most high-profile romances in pop culture. Her appearances in the VIP suites at games routinely go viral, often eclipsing the actual plays on the field. While some NFL executives have celebrated the publicity boost — especially among new, younger female fans — others have claimed the added attention distracts from the game itself.
Fox, however, says the criticism says more about society than it does about Swift.
“It’s misogyny dressed up as sports commentary,” she explained. “Men have girlfriends, wives, and families all the time — no one ever says they’re the reason for poor performance. But when it’s Taylor Swift, suddenly she’s the scapegoat.”
A Familiar Narrative
Fox’s defense taps into a long-running cultural theme: women in high-profile relationships often face criticism or blame for their partners’ professional setbacks. From Yoko Ono being accused of breaking up The Beatles to modern examples in Hollywood and sports, the trope persists.
For Swift — already one of the most scrutinized women in entertainment — the added pressure of being linked to Kelce’s NFL career has created an entirely new narrative. And fans are split: while some joke about the so-called “Taylor Swift curse,” others echo Fox’s outrage and insist the conversation undermines both Swift’s autonomy and Kelce’s agency as an athlete.
Fans React
Swifties rushed to praise Fox’s defense on X (formerly Twitter). One fan wrote:
“Julia Fox said what we’re all thinking — stop blaming Taylor for football games she’s not even playing in.”
Others applauded Fox for calling out misogyny in mainstream culture, with comments like: “Taylor’s just cheering for her boyfriend. Why is that controversial?”
For now, neither Swift nor Kelce has addressed the criticism directly. But thanks to Julia Fox, the spotlight has shifted from the so-called “curse” narrative to the broader issue of how women continue to shoulder misplaced blame in male-dominated arenas.
