DINH DOONG

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce continues to broaden his horizons, stepping into the entertainment world with his new gig as the host of Amazon Prime’s Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?. Known for his impressive feats on the football field, Kelce has now added TV hosting to his resume—and he’s earning rave reviews for his charm and quick wit.

Kelce, who recently made headlines for his high-profile relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift, couldn’t resist making a lighthearted reference to his girlfriend during a recent episode. While quizzing contestants on the real name of music icon Lady Gaga, Kelce found himself in a conversation about another famous blonde singer—Taylor Swift.

When panelists Natasha Leggero and Nikki Glaser correctly identified Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta as Lady Gaga, they humorously segued into a playful mention of Swift.

“We love Lady Gaga, but we don’t love her as much as other blonde singers,” Leggero quipped. Kelce quickly agreed, smiling and adding, “I will have to concur with you on that,” in a moment that sparked delight among the audience.

The first three episodes of Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? premiered last week, and social media reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) praised Kelce’s easygoing charisma. “Travis is absolutely killing it,” one viewer wrote. “He’s a natural,” said another, echoing the widespread sentiment that Kelce’s transition to TV has been a smooth one.

“Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?” isn’t the only project keeping Kelce busy in Hollywood. The tight end recently made his acting debut in Ryan Murphy’s new horror series Grotesquery, which premiered on FX earlier this month. Additionally, he has secured a role in the highly anticipated Happy Gilmore sequel, starring alongside Adam Sandler.

Despite his success, Kelce’s foray into TV wasn’t without its challenges. His co-star Ron Funches admitted that the football star had a few stumbles during his first days as a host. “You could tell he cared a lot and wanted to do well,” Funches told Newsweek. “There were some hiccups, but it was fun watching him improve.” Funches also praised Kelce’s work ethic and commitment to mastering his new role, noting that by the end of filming, the athlete-turned-host had found his rhythm.

Natasha Leggero, who also appears on the show, was equally impressed. “We loved him! He was so cute and prepared,” she said. “He really blew me away because I didn’t have very high expectations, but you could tell he took it seriously—and he killed it.”

With his hosting duties, acting roles, and ever-growing celebrity status thanks to his relationship with Swift, Kelce is proving he’s more than just an NFL superstar. As he continues to dominate both on the field and in front of the camera, fans are eager to see what comes next for the multi-talented tight end.