Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has seen his popularity skyrocket, particularly after his relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift became public. This newfound fame has led to opportunities beyond the football field, including hosting the game show Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?. However, despite his growing presence in the entertainment world, Hollywood’s elite—often referred to as the “old guard”—like George Clooney and Julia Roberts, are not yet convinced that Kelce is a true A-list star, according to an industry insider who spoke to The U.S. Sun.
Kelce, 34, has certainly made a name for himself as one of the NFL’s top tight ends, with three Super Bowl wins under his belt. His natural charisma, showcased on his podcast and other media appearances, has also helped him transition into television. However, making the leap to a Hollywood mainstay is a different challenge altogether. The insider pointed out that while his hosting gig on Amazon’s Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? reboot might have seemed like a stepping stone to bigger roles, it hasn’t quite catapulted him into the ranks of the entertainment industry’s top tier.
“Travis is a star largely because of his football achievements, his relationship with Taylor Swift, and his magnetic personality,” the source explained. “But crossing over into Hollywood and becoming a fixture among A-list celebrities is a lot trickier. Hosting Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? isn’t the automatic ticket to the A-list that it might have appeared to be.”
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The insider further elaborated that the show’s lineup of celebrity guests hasn’t helped elevate Kelce’s status. While the producers and Amazon aimed to keep the show’s focus on Kelce by selecting mostly B-list celebrities, this decision has inadvertently limited his exposure to the industry’s top talent.
“Natasha Leggero is one of the more recognizable names, but the rest of the guest list, including names like Nikki Glaser, Nicole Byer, and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson, aren’t the kind of high-profile stars that could help Travis gain credibility among Hollywood’s elite,” the source said. “This approach is giving him very little on-camera experience with the A-list celebrities he aspires to join.”
The insider noted that while Kelce is making efforts to carve out his own identity in Hollywood—separate from his relationship with Swift—his progress has been slow. “For all the talk about his potential in Hollywood, he’s still in the early stages. He’s trying to establish his brand, but can he really do this without Taylor by his side every step of the way?”
Kelce’s upcoming cameo in Happy Gilmore 2 with Adam Sandler is another move toward his Hollywood ambitions, but the insider cautioned that Kelce might need to exercise patience. They compared his situation to that of Ryan Reynolds, who spent nearly two decades building his career before becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stars.
“Travis isn’t there yet,” the insider said. “And one of the last ways to gain acceptance among stars like George Clooney and Julia Roberts is to be as openly eager as Travis seems to be.”
Despite the skepticism from Hollywood’s old guard, Kelce is earning praise from television executives for his work on Are You Smarter?. According to a source, TV bosses believe Kelce is on track for a successful career in showbusiness, with some predicting that he could even rival established game show hosts like Ryan Seacrest and Ken Jennings.
“TV executives are impressed with how smoothly Travis has transitioned into hosting,” the source said. “They believe he’s well on his way to becoming one of the top names in the business.”
While Travis Kelce’s journey to Hollywood stardom may be a slow burn, his growing popularity and determination suggest that he’s just getting started. Whether or not he eventually wins over the industry’s biggest names, Kelce is clearly set on making his mark beyond the gridiron.
