Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's 'contract' mystery grows as publicist once accused of spreading PR gossip

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The showmance has gained attention this week due to the revelation that Travis Kelce's publicist has acknowledged creating fictitious romances to advance his clients' careers.

Meanwhile, supporters of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were relieved to learn that a purported PR "contract" that disclosed the precise day of their breakup was fraudulent.

However, it was not the first time that rumors circulated about the credibility of the high-profile relationship. It was alleged in 2023 that Kelce's publicist had been spreading rumors about the relationship and calling it a publicity ploy.

Travis Kelce's publicist previously spread rumors about his and Taylor Swift's high-profile romance

The concerned publicist, Pia Malihi, subsequently faced more criticism from followers who believed she was making fun of Swift when she uploaded a picture to Instagram including a clown emoji over the singer's face.

Even though it was probably a simple mistake, Swifties quickly pointed out that she had previously worked closely at a PR agency with the singer's bitter rival, music mogul Scooter Braun, per Daily Mail.

Moreover, Kelce's other publicist, Jack Ketsoyan, has dedicated most of his career to showmanship. He even authored a novel about the topic, drawing on his own experiences, and revealed in an open interview how he set them up.

American Twitch streamer, YouTuber, and podcaster QTCinderlla shockingly claimed in 2023 that Swift's relationship with the NFL player was fake. The information was purportedly obtained via a publicist, who some have speculated was Pia.

The online sensation, real name Blaire, claimed in an interview that she picked up the "crazy hot tea" trick from her makeup artist, who was allegedly connected with the athlete's PR team.

The YouTuber might have escaped legal trouble for her assertions, but Swift's admirers' outcry prompted her to apologize via X (formerly Twitter).

She wrote at the time: "Would like to make it very clear. I think Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are in love and cute together. I was just spewing hot gos[sip] because what I heard was so unhinged I thought it was insane so wanted to share the insanity."

Kelce's publicist Pia also got into trouble with Swifties that same month after a birthday tribute post seemed to disparage the 'Love Story' singer.

Pia's friend Amanda posted a birthday collage featuring the publicist on October 29 along with the message, "Happy birthday to our Roman Empire."

The collage's focal point was a photo of Pia and Swift at Arrowhead Stadium when Pia attended her first-ever Chiefs game. Swifties were incensed to see that Pia's friend had covered Swift's face with an emoji of a clown.

Amanda eventually told Elite Daily that she did not want to offend Swift by covering her face with a clown emoji.

Travis Kelce's publicist Pia Malihi dubbed 'worst publicist to ever live'

Travis Kelce's PR Agency, Scope Public Relations, is managed by Jack Ketsoyan and Pia Malihi. Following the above incident, Barstool Sports President Dave Portnoy declared Pia the "worst publicist to ever live."

Portnoy took to X and remarked, "Introducing the worst publicist to ever live. Travis Kelce's publicist reposting a picture that has a clown emoji over Taylor's face. Even if it was an accident it's an accident a publicist can't make. See ya Pia...."

According to a June Life and Style report, Pia has been dating Kansas City Chiefs standout and Kelce's teammate, 23-year-old Skyy Moore.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's 'leaked' PR contract is latest drama in showmanship history

Following the revelation of a potential separation strategy in a "leaked" paper, Kelce's legal team has vehemently denied that his relationship with Swift is a hoax.

 

In the meantime, Pia's co-founder of Full Scope PR, Jack Ketsoyan, has also been closely associated with the showmance notion.

Although the "contract" is allegedly "entirely false and fabricated," Ketosyan has acknowledged the power of a made-up romance and even acknowledged arranging one himself.

While appearing on an Australian podcast for 'Mamamia's The Quicky' in 2019, the publicist stated that showmances are typically put together if one has a film or an event to promote or to divert from unfavorable publicity like a project flop.

He acknowledged fabricating at least two romances in the course of his career to divert attention away from unfavorable press reports, per Daily Mail.

The Hollywood source stated that it's normal for celebrities to sign a "love contract" requiring them to "date" for a minimum of a year, without naming specific individuals.

According to Macmillan Publishers, known as a "veteran publicist in Hollywood," Jack Ketsoyan has represented several prominent individuals, including Jennifer Lopez.

Ketsoyan has written two novels on the topic of PR relationships: 'Blind Item' and its sequel, 'Guilty Pleasure.' He co-wrote both books with entertainment journalist Kevin Dickson.

Moreover, Swift and Tom Hiddleston were accused of staging a "showmance" to draw attention away from her 2016 breakup with Calvin Harris.