Lifetime’s latest Christmas movie seems to have taken some inspiration from the real-life romance between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, and fans of the pop icon are definitely taking notice. The festive film, titled “Christmas in the Spotlight,” premiered over the weekend and has quickly gone viral on social media due to its apparent similarities to the high-profile romance between the pop superstar and the NFL tight end.
The film, directed by Michelle Ouellet, stars Jessica Lord as Bowyn, a popular singer who unexpectedly finds love with Drew, a professional football player played by Laith Wallschleger. Wallschleger is known for his viral role as former tight end Rob Gronkowski in the FX series “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” earlier this year.
In true holiday rom-com fashion, “Christmas in the Spotlight” follows the couple as they navigate the pressures that come with fame, including dealing with the media, paparazzi, fans, and even their own families. But what has caught the attention of Swifties are the numerous nods to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce scattered throughout the film, making it all too obvious where the movie drew its inspiration.
The movie is peppered with references to some of Swift’s most iconic songs and lyrics, including mentions of tracks like “The Alchemy,” “Wonderland,” “All Too Well,” “Mean,” “You’re Losing Me,” as well as the fanbase’s beloved tradition of exchanging friendship bracelets. These little Easter eggs seem to playfully nod to Taylor’s discography and her fans, making it hard for viewers to miss the parallels.
Swifties quickly picked up on the references, and snippets of the movie went viral on X, formerly known as Twitter. Many fans found the clear inspiration behind the film hilarious, with some unable to believe just how directly the movie leaned into the “Tayvis” storyline.
“The Tayvis movie LMAOOO they just fully leaned into it,” one social media user wrote, sharing a clip of the film. Another added, “The Tayvis movie really said ‘let’s lean in’ LMAO!”
Some fans found the homage to be anything but subtle, with comments like, “Subtle as a gun,” and, “Her song titles being used many times,” accompanied by laughing emojis. Despite the obviousness of the references, other fans appreciated that the movie knew its target audience and wasn’t afraid to cater to them.
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“They knew their audience and delivered exactly what was expected, LMAO,” one person wrote. “They really said, ‘If we’re doing it, we’re doing it BIG,’ and I respect it,” another chimed in. One fan commented, “They definitely went all in—so hilarious to see them embrace the fun side of it!”
“This is just a comedy for Swifties and no one else would understand,” another Swiftie quipped. “Let’s go all in on the Tayvis energy!”
However, not everyone was amused by the obvious nods. Some viewers took to social media to express their discomfort, calling the film “cringeworthy.”
“It’s so cringe it hurts,” one user wrote, while another agreed, “This is so cringe, I’m crying.” A third person added, “Oh, this is embarrassing,” while another questioned, “I am CRINGING—who thought this would be a good idea?”
One fan voiced their concern about the nature of the film, saying, “This movie is literally just ‘how many Taylor Swift references can we make while also overstepping any morals or her boundaries.'”
According to Lifetime’s official synopsis, Bowyn is a popular musician and celebrity who has yet to find her Mr. Right. That is, until she meets Drew, a professional football player, backstage at her show.
The two share an instant spark. In a clear nod to Kelce and Swift’s relationship, Drew publicly declares his crush on Bowyn, reminiscent of Kelce revealing on his podcast, “New Heights,” that he had tried to give Swift a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it during one of her concerts last year.
As their relationship blossoms, Bowyn and Drew have to navigate the challenges of being in the spotlight, balancing the pressures of their hectic schedules and public scrutiny. It’s a story that feels very familiar to those who’ve followed the whirlwind romance of Swift and Kelce over the past year.
Whether fans found it cringeworthy or a fun tribute, one thing is certain—Lifetime’s “Christmas in the Spotlight” has certainly captured the attention of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s followers, for better or for worse.
The movie leans heavily into the current fascination with the celebrity couple, delivering a festive, tongue-in-cheek rom-com for those who can’t get enough of the pop star and NFL player’s love story.
