Niecy Nash-Betts had an unforgettable experience working with NFL star Travis Kelce on the set of Ryan Murphy’s new series, Grotesquerie. The Emmy-winning actress shared her excitement about Kelce’s performance and praised his attitude during filming, noting that the Kansas City Chiefs tight end was incredibly receptive to feedback.
“Travis was very open,” Nash-Betts said about Kelce’s approach on set to People. “He was open to any notes or suggestions, and that made him so amenable.” She added that fans of the show are going to find Kelce “very charming in this role,” highlighting his unexpected acting chops in the thriller series.
Nash-Betts also expressed admiration for Kelce’s humility during his time on set, pointing out how he sought advice and embraced the learning process. “I love that he didn’t come in acting like, ‘I know everything and I’ve got it all figured out,’” she explained. The 54-year-old actress fondly recalled how Kelce asked her for pointers, saying, “‘Tell me what I don’t know. Tell me what your thought is on this.'” His willingness to learn impressed her and solidified her respect for the NFL superstar-turned-actor.
It wasn’t just Nash-Betts who was excited to have Kelce on set. She shared that the entire crew was buzzing with excitement over his cameo, especially since he’s dating global pop star Taylor Swift. “It was funny because I saw people’s reactions to him before I even had a chance to take him in,” she said with a laugh. “All the guys on set—these big grips and transportation guys—were just fangirling. I was like, ‘Oh my god, guys!’”
Though Travis wasn’t able to attend the Grotesquerie premiere in New York City, his mother, Donna Kelce, made an appearance on the red carpet and proudly gushed about her son’s foray into acting. “Oh, it’s so awesome,” the 71-year-old said to Page Six. “Just to be able to see your kids do what they absolutely love, and hopefully this is something he likes!” Donna revealed that acting was something Travis had been interested in trying for some time. “I know he wanted to try acting, so we’ll see how it goes,” she shared.
Donna also took a moment to comment on how her son is handling his new high-profile romance with Taylor Swift. “He’s a good guy. He really is. He’s kind, he’s generous, and from what I understand, so is she,” Donna said, reflecting on her son’s relationship with the 34-year-old pop sensation. Travis and Swift first sparked dating rumors in September 2023, going public later that month when she was seen supporting him at one of his football games.
While Kelce’s cameo in Grotesquerie is a new chapter in his career, it’s clear that he has the full support of both his family and his co-stars.
As Nash-Betts noted, Kelce’s blend of humility and charm could open new doors for the football star, adding yet another impressive achievement to his already storied career.
