Taylor Swift just dropped her latest music video, "The Fate of Ophelia," and fans are already putting on their detective hats. It seems Taylor, 35, had her fiancé, Travis Kelce, 36, on her mind while making it. The video, which landed on Sunday, October 5th, is packed with subtle and not-so-subtle nods to the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. We counted at least four sweet tributes.
One of the most obvious winks to Kelce appears early on. A smiling Swift glides down a hallway, catching and tossing an American football. She sings about swearing "loyalty to your hands, your team, your vibes." It’s a clear shout-out to the football star she plans to marry. This playful moment sets the tone for the other hidden gems.
Another easy-to-spot reference pops up in a dressing room scene. Look closely at one of the doors, and you’ll see the number "87" hanging there. That’s Kelce’s iconic jersey number, a small but significant detail. Later, in the same dressing room, Taylor is surrounded by dancers in bright red outfits. Taped to the corner of a vanity mirror, a black-and-white photo of Kelce adds another personal touch.
Fans immediately started guessing where that mysterious photo came from. A Sunday report from Page Six shared what people were thinking. Some thought it was a still from his 2016 reality TV show, Catching Kelce. Others pointed to his guest role in October 2024 on Ryan Murphy’s Grotesquerie. There were also theories it was from a 2016 AfterBuzz TV interview. In that old chat, Kelce admitted he wanted to "kiss" Swift. He also said he wanted to "kill" Ariana Grande and "marry" Katy Perry, which is quite a throwback!
The final Kelce tribute comes in the song’s lyrics. Swift sings, "I heard you calling / Through the megaphone / You want to see me alone." This line likely harks back to a memorable moment for the couple. Kelce once tried to give Swift a friendship bracelet with his phone number during her Eras Tour. It didn’t quite work out then, but he shared the funny story on his "New Heights" podcast in July 2023.
Beyond the sweet nods, the "The Fate of Ophelia" video is a visual feast. It opens with Swift literally coming to life from an image. She then travels through different time periods, playing various characters. Taylor changes outfits and hairstyles frequently. You’ll see her in wigs from long black to long curly red. The video closes with Swift lying in a bathtub full of water. This matches the striking image featured on the cover of her new album, The Life of a Showgirl.
Swift officially announced her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, during a guest interview on the "New Heights" podcast. She was sitting with Travis and his older brother, Jason Kelce, who co-hosts the show. Taylor opened a mint green case, engraved with her initials, to show them her new record. She then revealed the full tracklist. It includes "Elizabeth Taylor," "Opalite," "Father Figure," "Eldest Daughter," "Ruin the Friendship," "Actually Romantic," "Wish List," "Wood," "Cancelled!", "Honey," and the title track, "The Life of a Showgirl," featuring Sabrina Carpenter.