The NFL star turned actor opens up about his reading struggles, acting nerves, and what really went down during his SNL debut — all while keeping it real about his journey beyond football.
July-5, 2025:Travis Kelce has a confession — reading isn’t exactly his strong suit.
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end, who’s been making waves in Hollywood alongside girlfriend Taylor Swift, recently opened up about his biggest off-field challenge: reading scripts.
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Appearing on the June 30 episode of the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, Kelce candidly shared how difficult it was for him to keep up during his 2023 Saturday Night Live hosting gig.
“The table reading, for a guy that can’t really read that well, it was kind of a f–ked situation,” Kelce said.
“I was just focused on ‘don’t f–king skip this line,’ instead of actually acting it out and giving it a voice.”
🎭 From the NFL to the Stage – and Now the Screen
Kelce, who has since taken on acting roles, including a part in FX’s Grotesquerie, admitted he still feels “uncomfortable” in serious roles. Comedy, he says, feels more natural.
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“I don’t feel like I’ve grasped the acting world yet,” he added.
Yet, despite the nerves and reading hurdles, Kelce takes the work seriously.
“I want to make them respect my approach… how I’m taking it serious,” he said about working with professionals in the entertainment industry.
🎧 An Audio Learner in a Scripted World
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Kelce describes himself as an audio learner, explaining that his brain processes spoken word far better than text. He’s not alone — many people learn and retain information through sound rather than reading.
“I’m more of an audio guy,” Kelce confessed, explaining how he felt out of place during scripted reads.
💑 Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: The Power Couple On and Off the Field
While Taylor Swift continues to dominate the music industry, her partner is quietly navigating a transition into the entertainment world — one challenge at a time. Whether it’s football, acting, or table reads, Kelce’s humility and honesty have earned him admiration.
His journey reminds fans that even champions have learning curves — and that’s okay.
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Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce reading struggle, Travis Kelce SNL, NFL to Hollywood, FX Grotesquerie, Bussin With The Boys podcast, celebrity confession, audio learning, Travis Kelce acting career