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Newsflash: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are the it-couple of the century! Fans and everyday social media users alike can’t seem to get enough of the rom-com-esque relationship between the singer-songwriter and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end.
The “Anti-Hero” crooner and the football player have been linked since early September, when a source told The Messenger that the two were “quietly hanging out.” Since then, the jet-setting couple has been spotted getting very cozy around New York City and at tons of his games.
Most recently, Taylor attended Travis’ AFC Championship football game on January 28, where he clinched a win to advance to his fourth (!) Super Bowl appearance. After the game, she joined his family on the field to congratulate him, and *many* pictures were taken of the two embracing publicly like never before.
While I don’t have time to get into *all* of the reasons why these two are a perfect match, one of the biggest is that there’s a “genuineness” that wasn’t present in photos of Taylor’s past relationships, says Patti Wood, a body language expert with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Body Language and Nonverbal Communication based in Atlanta, Georgia. Instead, she often did “frozen postures” to ensure that she looked happy instead of appearing more relaxed and natural.
So, if you’re curious to know if this love story is true, sources (ahem, body language experts) say there’s evidence that Taylor and Travis are undeniably enchanted. Ahead, discover what Tayvis’ body language reveals about their connection that has the pair bejeweled (okay I’m done now, promise).
September 27, 2023: Taylor will go to bat for Travis.
In this image, “Taylor is in full defensive and protection mode,” says Donaldson. She’s holding Travis with her arm around his neck, pulling him close to her. Moreover, her hand is closed and almost fist-like; her facial expression signals that she’s “not pleased,” per Donaldson. “It looks like she is going to bat for her man,” Donaldson says. And Travis is courteously letting Taylor handle the situation.
But given that this is a private post-game party with friends and Kansas City Chiefs players after their win against the Chicago Bears, per People, Taylor and the person she’s speaking to are probably just having a conversation.
Here, Taylor is sitting on Travis’ lap, “which is a huge signal of flirtation and their couple status,” says Henderson. Additionally, her arm around his neck demonstrates that she’s “claiming” Travis as the one she wants to be with, Henderson adds.
Courtesy of TMZ
October 14, 2023: Taylor feels safe and secure with Travis.
In this image of Taylor and Travis leaving the SNL afterparty on October 14, he holds both arms out around her like a literal safety net, says Donaldson. The gesture shows that Travis sees himself as Taylor’s protector, Donaldson adds.
“This is a very intimate move on a vulnerable body part,” says Henderson. And “it shows a level of comfort between the two which has developed quickly.”
Taylor’s comfort around Travis is evident in her body language here, Donaldson points out. “Her focus is not on her surroundings—she’s completely okay leaving her safety in Travis’ hands.”
It’s important to mention here that Tay is still a bit more timid than she was, say, at Travis’ AFC Championship game in January 2024. “She’s not fully relying on him yet, and her face is turned away from him,” adds Wood.
MEGA – Getty Images
October 14, 2023: Travis takes the lead in this relationship.
…well, in some aspects.
Here, Travis is spotted guiding the way for Taylor, says Donaldson. “He walks in front of her signaling that he’s clearing the path.” Additionally, you’ll notice that while holding hands, his hand is on top of hers, “which may signal that he is taking the lead in this specific setting, and possibly the partnership,” Donaldson adds. (He’s really taking this protector role seriously, huh?)
Another detail? In past ‘ships, Taylor typically posed apart and in front of the other person, like the main character she is. Now, she often walks side-by-side with Travis or slightly behind him, Wood explains, which means these two seem to be equals.
“Although Travis walks ahead of Taylor, their steps are synchronized,” Donaldson points out. “It’s effortless and speaks to the emotional connection that they have.” In other words, while Travis may take on the traditional guard role, these two are true equals.
“Travis is careful to let Taylor be Taylor,” says Henderson. “He’s not overprotective or overbearing.”
MEGA – Getty Images
October 14, 2023: Travis prioritizes Taylor’s needs.
Chivalry may be dead, but not in Travis Kelce’s world.
In this image, Travis is seen escorting Taylor out of the car like a steward would a queen. (Well, I’m glad he recognizes he’s in the presence of pop royalty.) This photo shows that he sees her as his “lady,” says Donaldson. It is likely that “he cares for her deeply and is attentive to her needs,” she adds.
In turn, “the way in which Taylor takes Travis’ hand as she comes out of the car is undemanding and easy,” Donaldson notes. Per Donaldson, this is perhaps their normal way of being with each other. It is evident that Taylor is used to being treated like his queen.
Gotham – Getty Images
October 14, 2023: These two watch out for each other.
Here, Travis is again taking the lead as the pair walks side-by-side. This move “coupled with his chin up and furrowed brows is telling that he’s worried for and looking out for Taylor,” says Donaldson, noting he’s not doing so in a possessive way, but more of a protective BF type of way.
“This body language from men is their innate urge to protect a person they care deeply for,” Donaldson points out. “He’s making sure all is safe for Taylor,” Henderson adds.
She’s comfortable letting Travis take charge, says Henderson. “Taylor’s body language is relaxed—her shoulders are at ease and her gaze seems to be more focused on where she is stepping than her surroundings,” Donaldson says. “These clusters of gestures signal that Taylor feels safe and secure in his presence.”
MEGA – Getty Images
October 15, 2023: He is hers, and she is his.
This photo of the couple leaving dinner at the Waverly Inn sent the internet into a frenzy when it first circulated in October. The hand cupping?! What does it mean? Well, Swifties and anyone else who’s chronically online had a right to freak out as “intertwined fingers show a deep level of comfort and intimacy between two people,” Henderson says.
“Travis cups Taylor’s hand in one of his and is pressing both of his palms against her hand, maximizing their skin-to-skin contact,” Donaldson notes. And you know what they say about skin-to-skin contact? It’s a telltale sign of a pair’s emotional and physical connection, per Donaldson. Travis’ two-hand hold is consistent with his protector role, Henderson adds, and Taylor appears totally okay—and even happy—with it.
“This PDA signals that he wants the world to know Taylor is with him,” says Donaldson. Paired with his smile, this gesture signals a mix of possessiveness and endearment, Donaldson adds.
Gotham – Getty Images
December 11, 2023: The lovey-dovey feelings are mutual.
I present: The photo dump that broke the internet. When Travis’ barber posted this pic of Tayvis at a Christmas bar with some others on Instagram, fans immediately went wild—and for good reason. Because Taylor is holding his face and kissing him, she’s clearly having fun, and so is Travis, according to his blissful expression, Donaldson says.
Travis is also pulling Taylor into his heart and holds her lower back with his fingers open, meaning that he’s comfortable, while also touching her arm to maximize their physical contact. “The clustering of these body language gestures tells us that the romantic feeling is mutual between the both of them,” Donaldson adds.
Instagram/@patty_cuts
January 28, 2024: Taylor is comfortable in Travis’ world.
The AFC Championship win heard ’round the world was mostly due to the *amazing* content that came from the Kansas City Chiefs’ win, including this pic of Tayvis. Are they kissing? Is she telling him a secret? The world may never know—but IMO, these two are defs snogging.
First things first: This is a real smile from Taylor, complete with the pockets forming under her eyes, her eyebrows coming together, and her cheeks lifting. “You can tell she’s feeling joy, feeling happiness,” Wood says, adding that the hand over their mouths kind of says, “‘There’s this big crowd around us—let’s just have a moment that’s private, that’s just us. We have this secret.’” (It’s kind of giving “Dancing With Our Hands Tied,” no?)
Also, Taylor is relaxed because her fingers are totally flat. (On the contrary, if her fingers were digging into Travis, that might mean that she was clinging onto him.) Meanwhile, Trav is bringing his head down to her to be at her level.
All of these gestures signify that they’re both in this moment together, and overall, “she’s comfortable in his world with thousands of people around her, and she also—in a very positive way—wants to have a moment that’s not for the cameras,” Wood continues.
Rob Carr – Getty Images
January 28, 2024: They have a playful energy together.
There are many things to discuss here, but let’s start with Travis’ tongue. Tongue messages are very primal, Wood says, and “a tongue like this, out to the right side of his mouth along with his smile, that’s impish, that’s playful, slightly sexual,” she adds. If he had a thought bubble above his head, like a cartoon, it would probably say something like: Look at the sweet babe I’ve got! (As he should…he’s dating Taylor freakin’ Swift!)
Another thing to note: The two-finger handhold. Taylor is holding them very loosely, which is a bit child-like, Wood points out. Paired with her pursed, smiling lips, “they can be playful kids together, which bodes well for the relationship as it does for all relationships,” she adds.
Lastly, Taylor is obviously stunning in this photo, but after hours of watching her man play in a very important game, it’s only natural that her hair might be slightly sweaty, and maybe even a bit messy. She *rarely* looks less than perfect out in public—down to her smudge-free red lipstick—which means that she’s extremely comfy in this relationship. “Grooming behaviors inside of a couple often reveal how the pair feels about each other and their comfort with each other—there’s safety with each other,” Wood says.
Patrick Smith – Getty Images
January 28, 2024: Taylor feels safe with him.
Here, Travis is cradling Taylor, which is a huge deal, btw. See how their heads are bowed in together and her gaze is down? That means she feels safe with him. “I’ve never seen her do this—and she does it over and over and over with him,” Wood says.
You can tell Taylor feels good and safe here because her hand isn’t grasping at Travis, it’s relaxed. And when looking at him, it’s evident just how happy he is from his smile lines that go upwards.
Plus, Travis is making an effort to lean down to kiss Taylor. (They have a six-inch height difference, people!) “What I always look for in healthy relationships is how much effort are each of them making in this moment to be with each other, to be close to each other, to be intimate,” Wood says. His effort signifies that they seek comfort from each other and want to share the joy in this moment.
Patrick Smith – Getty Images
January 28, 2024: Taylor knows that Travis can hold her up.
Literally—Tay is physically hanging on to Trav here as she hugs him. “That tells me she knows he can hold her up—and he’s just showing, in this picture, stability,” Wood says.
Also, Taylor’s smile is very joyful, with all of her teeth showing, making this a truly happy moment, Wood adds. “What I’ve always seen before with her was posed or frozen,” Wood says. “As you’re looking at this photo, you can feel the movement.” That means this pic is showing these two all-natural and at their best.
Overall, these two are extremely confident in what they have, according to their body language, Wood says. Taylor is not afraid to cuddle into Travis and feel protected by him, or even be a step behind him when they’re at one of his events.
*Alexa, play “Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version).”*
Patrick Smith – Getty Images