Taylor Swift's Super Bowl halftime show plans revealed after Kendrick Lamar's controversial performance
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: After Kendrick Lamar’s divisive performance at the Super Bowl halftime show earlier this month, fans are eagerly speculating about who will take the stage next year.
Taylor Swift, a longtime fan favorite for the coveted spot, has reportedly made it clear that she is willing to headline - but on her own terms.
Taylor Swift will wait for Travis Kelce’s retirement before headlining Super Bowl halftime show
According to sources close to the pop megastar, Swift is determined to wait until her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, is no longer an active NFL player before agreeing to perform.
"She doesn't want to do it now until Travis is fully retired as she would like to be at the game supporting him rather than performing at it," a source told Daily Mail.
The insider went on to explain that Swift, who has been dating the Kansas City Chiefs star for nearly two years, wants to ensure that all of her loved ones, including Kelce, can experience her performance when it happens.
"When she eventually performs at it, she wants all her loved ones to be able to experience it. And as long as Travis is in the league, the Chiefs have a chance to be in the game, so she is going to wait to do it till he is officially done," the source added.
Before her relationship with Kelce, Swift never headlined the Super Bowl show due to a long-standing partnership with Coca-Cola, which conflicted with Pepsi being the event’s primary sponsor until 2022.
"If Pepsi wasn't the sponsor of the halftime show for so many years, then Taylor Swift would have potentially already been the performer," the source went on to say.
Taylor Swift's Super Bowl halftime show appearance hinges on Travis Kelce's retirement decision
With Kelce's future uncertain after the Chiefs' Super Bowl loss to the Eagles, the timing of Swift's performance remains up in the air. The 35-year-old tight end admitted he is considering retirement due to the "wear and tear" on his body and mind after 13 NFL seasons.
As the Chiefs star weighs his options, Swift is seemingly content to bide her time. While there have been no official talks between her team and the NFL, the league is reportedly eager to have her headline when the opportunity arises.
"Taylor is and always will be considered. And if she wants to do it, she will get the gig," the source explained.
NFL insiders also believe that the partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, who helps oversee the halftime show, would make it easy for Swift to secure the gig when she’s ready.
"The NFL and Jay are throwing other names out there and they will have someone confirmed on their side of things this summer and then announce it at the start of next season or at the latest Thanksgiving," the source continued.
They added, "Taylor is not in talks but is always a phone call away because the NFL knows they would be stupid if they didn't at least entertain the fact to her that she should do it."
For Swift, the Super Bowl halftime show represents a significant moment in her career, one that would likely be delayed until Kelce makes his decision about retirement.
Fans react to Taylor Swift’s potential Super Bowl halftime show
Readers of Daily Mail have mixed opinions on Taylor Swift headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, with some supporting her and others criticizing the event's current direction and Jay-Z’s influence.
Many believe Swift doesn’t need the exposure, while others prefer her over recent performers like Kendrick Lamar.
A reader said, "Not to mention performers don't get paid. They do it for the media attention and PR and Swift doesn't need it right now in her career to perform for free."
Another added, "Doesn’t matter. As long as Jay Z is producing that halftime show we are only going to get terrible hardcore rap or hip hop. And since Taylor does not make that kind of music, she is not a candidate to work that show."
The third commentator remarked, "I don’t dislike her although I did get sick of seeing her at their games but I would welcome her performing over Kendrick anyday!"
"She doesn’t need to do a Super Bowl," said one.
A person said, "If they were going to have her perform halftime last year would have been perfect!"
Other chimed in, "Please not Taylor Swift. The halftime shows are already bloated and overdone enough. If anything, they need to be scaled back so the game itself can be the focus again."
"She’s not right for this masculine energy show," a fan asserted.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
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