Before Travis Kelce was a three-time Super Bowl champ, a podcast sensation, and Taylor Swiftâs better half, he made a decision that still makes him cringe. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end regrets starring in his own reality dating show titled “Catching Kelce.” According to Kelce himself, it was âone of the worst decisionsâ heâs ever made.
The Dating Show That No One Watched, Including Travis Kelce
In a recent appearance on the “Bussinâ With the Boys” podcast, Kelce reflected on the short-lived 2016 show that he filmed after his rookie season. He admitted that the whole experience left him with more regret than romance.
âIt didnât set me up for anything. I didnât realize what reality TV really was. I donât even think anybody watched it,â Kelce revealed.
The premise of “Catching Kelce” was straight out of the “Bachelor” playbook, except with footballs instead of roses. Fifty women, one from each U.S. state, competed for the chance to win over Kelceâs heart. But the seven-episode E! series fizzled fast. Although he did choose a winner, Maya Benberry of Kentucky, the relationship lasted only a few months.
Looking back, Kelce says he initially turned the show down âabout 100 times,â but ultimately gave in due to financial pressure.
âI heard about this situation where I could make six figures in two weeks, and I was like, âUhhh⦠and 50 ladies? This is actually starting to sound a little better,ââ Kelce explained, per Vanity Fair.
Lessons Learned and Jokes For the Future
While Kelce didnât walk away with lasting love, he did pick up a few skills. âIt was a little embarrassing, but I got really good at reality TV… I guess I learned how to kind of patiently wait on set,â he joked.
Despite the showâs cringey moments, like contestants being dismissed with lines like âIâm going to have to ask you to go back to Wisconsin,” Kelce made light of it during his 2023 “Saturday Night Live” monologue.
âIt was kind of like ‘The Bachelor,’ except instead of roses, I handed out footballs, and instead of watching, people did not,” Kelce joked.
A Show Travis Kelce Would Like You To Forget
Although Kelce would love to erase “Catching Kelce” from his résumé, the show has experienced a resurgence thanks to his high-profile relationship with Swift. The episodes were once hard to find. But once his romance with the global pop star heated up, the show suddenly appeared on Peacock.
Kelce himself has been candid about moving on from reality TV, saying firmly that he’s “not going back.” However, he admitted the experience on the dating show helped put his face in front of the camera.
âWho cares if it was a good opportunity or a bad opportunity… it made me more comfortable if I get another opportunity like that again,” Kelce said, who hosted the reboot of “Are You Smarter than a Celebrity.”
Still, when it comes to “Catching Kelce,” his stance hasnât changed: âWhat a time,â he said on the “New Heights” podcast. âLetâs all forget about it.â
Tell us! Did you watch Travis Kelce on “Catching Kelce”? Let us know in the comments below.
The post Travis Kelce Gets Real About His Reality Show ‘Catching Kelce’ appeared first on EntertainmentNow.